Wayne Theatre
521 W. Main Street,
Waynesboro,
VA
22980
521 W. Main Street,
Waynesboro,
VA
22980
1 person
favorited this theater
Related Websites
Wayne Theatre (Official)
Additional Info
Previously operated by: R/C Theatres
Functions: Live Performances, Movies (Classic)
Styles: Neo-Georgian
Previous Names: Wayne Theatre, Wayne Cinemas I & II
Phone Numbers:
Box Office:
540.943.9999
Nearby Theaters
News About This Theater
- Mar 2, 2010 — Happy 45th, "The Sound Of Music"
- Jan 8, 2008 — Wayne Theatre seeks volunteers to aid in restoration project
The 650-seat Wayne Theatre was built in 1925, opening January 18, 1926 with Sid Chaplin in “Charlie’s Aunt”. It was a small town theatre presenting plays, vaudeville and movies, with an orchestra pit and a Link pipe organ. Converted to talking pictures in 1929. Major addition in 1949 to expand seating to 450 and modernized restrooms and concessions.
R/C Theatres divided into two screens in 1980. Closed and given to the City of Waynesboro in 1999. Wayne Theatre Alliance formed and is handling reuse and renovation/restoration. It had reopened by May 2017.
Contributed by
Bill Hausrath
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Recent comments (view all 16 comments)
This theater makes a little cameo in “Evan Almighty.”
Lost Memory: I am looking of that photo of the Wayne and wondering what’s been covered up by boards. Did that say “Cinema”?
Nice looking theatre,thanks chuck.
the marquee was zoomed in on in “Evan Almighty.”
Great News!! Check out this link regarding the restoration of the Wayne Theatre:http://www.dailyprogress.com/newsvirginian/news/local/waynesboro-theatre-alliance-marks-renovation-milestone-with-topping-ceremony/article_9bad87f2-3714-11e5-9128-e3958bdab49b.htm
I would love to talk to anyone with information regarding the Pipe Organ that was installed there. Records indicate that it was a 1925 Link Pipe Organ.
Please contact me directly at
Thank-you!
I FINALLY got a reply from The Wayne Theatre Alliance.
I offered them a FREE restored Theatre Pipe Organ to replace the original for the restoration project from a local donor and they did not respond. After several attempts, they finally replied and then refused the donation, but wanted the information regarding the size and space requirements as well as all the research I had gathered on the original Link Pipe Organ.
The Donor was rather upset since they didn’t reply to any of the emails or telephone calls. I would think a restoration of a silent movie theatre would include a Theatre Pipe Organ!
This opened on November 21st, 1980 as a twin cinema. Grand opening ad in the photo section.
This has been reopened according to its official website at http://waynetheatre.org/. Movies are shown during the summer.
The June 1925 Sanborn shows this as the New Star, with a note ‘From Plans’, possibly not open yet? Schedule does include a few movies, but mostly plays.
The New Star Theatre (or simply Star Theatre) is actually a separate theater in Waynesboro. The Wayne Theatre opened its doors on January 18, 1926 with Sid Chaplin in “Charlie’s Aunt” plus musical performances by Ms. Helen McElroy of the Crandall Circuit of Washington, D.C on the Arthur Jordan Orchestra Pipe Organ located on a concealed loft of the orchestra pit.
It originally housed 650 seats as of 1926, featuring walls made out of fireproof brick and steel, featuring pleaser border walls in a color scheme of ivory, old rose, and blue, and bronze dome electrical fixtures. Dimming devices from Lee Lash Studios in New York City were also used, and its screen is a Wertsner silver screen model, the then-most expensive screen in the state.