Dixie Theater

125 E. Beverly Street,
Staunton, VA 24401

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Additional Info

Previously operated by: Stanley-Warner Theatres, Warner Bros. Circuit Management Corp.

Architects: John Adolph Emil Eberson

Firms: T.J. Collins & Sons

Functions: Live Theatre

Styles: Italian Renaissance, Streamline Moderne

Previous Names: New Theater, New Dixie Theater

Phone Numbers: Box Office: 540.885.8445

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News About This Theater

Dixie Theater

Opened in 1913 as the New Theater by local architectural firm T. J. Collins and Sons, this gem is located at the intersection of Beverley Street and Market Street in downtown Staunton.

Designed in an Italian Renaissance Revival style, the theater’s exterior features dramatic arches (inlaid with terra cotta tiles), false windows (also decorated with terra cotta tiles), and, above the arches, four laughing theatrical faces. After a fire in 1936 destroyed the original interior, it was rebuilt in Art Moderne style by John Eberson with seating for 1,100 in orchestra & balcony levels and reopening as the New Dixie Theater. On April 10, 1981 it was split into three screens.

The Dixie Theater’s old vertical marquee is gone and the theater has now been split into four small auditoriums, but its exterior still retains much of this old theater’s charm.

Contributed by Ross Melnick

Recent comments (view all 16 comments)

HowardBHaas
HowardBHaas on July 10, 2007 at 7:18 pm

Bring back the cool Deco vertical blade sign seen in 1955 photo!

whitmore
whitmore on December 30, 2007 at 9:40 am

The Dixie has always been a part of my life. I was Asst. Mgg. at the Dixie in 1951 and 1952, under Frank Shaffer. Many friends were made and still part of my life. Looking forward to when it will become a performing arts theatre. Gene Whitmore, Roanoke,Va.

Don Lewis
Don Lewis on January 11, 2009 at 4:50 pm

A 1996 view of the Dixie Theater (4) in Staunton.

JackCoursey
JackCoursey on May 23, 2010 at 8:53 pm

2010 photos of the Dixie Theatre:
1, 2, 3, 4, 5
This is a real showpiece. Although the auditorium has been carved into four mini cinemas, it apparently has not inflicted much damage to the original design and could be restored to its former glory.

CSWalczak
CSWalczak on December 14, 2010 at 10:17 pm

The theater just got new seats and other improvements and now is running first run films, but its life as a movie theater is apparently going to be limited to about five more years, after which it will converted to a live performance center: http://www.nbc29.com/Global/story.asp?S=13672914

Chris1982
Chris1982 on February 20, 2015 at 2:10 am

The Dixie Theatre is no longer showing movies. The Visulite Cinema on N. Augusta is the only movie theatre open in Staunton.

bowmanwf
bowmanwf on March 7, 2017 at 7:03 pm

I am looking for a poster for the Dixie Theater “Battle of the Bands” in 1974-75. It had Southern Cross & Cyberous and one other band. It was a great venue for new artists to perform.

rivest266
rivest266 on June 1, 2017 at 5:39 pm

3 screens on April 10th, 1981. Grand opening ad in the photo section.

DavidZornig
DavidZornig on October 31, 2018 at 12:38 pm

1918 postcard added courtesy of George & Sharon Sproul.

Joe Vogel
Joe Vogel on February 17, 2023 at 5:21 am

Frazier Associates, the firm designing the renovations for the Staunton Performing Arts Center, has this web page with a description of the project and a brief slide show that includes renderings, a floor plan, and a couple of historic photographs.

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