Venue Information

The State Theatre is the last remaining cinema and vaudeville palace in downtown Ithaca. According to the History Center of Tompkins County, downtown Ithaca once boasted seven grand theaters, including the Lyceum, the Crescent, and the Strand. With its 1,609 seat capacity, it is also one of the area’s most significant arts venues. The building dates back to 1915. Designed by local architect Henry N. Hinckley, it was originally an auto garage and dealership, specializing in Studebakers. In 1926, Cornell Theatres, Inc. purchased the building and hired celebrated theatre architect Victor Rigaumont to design and oversee the transformation of the garage and showroom into an atmospheric cinema and vaudeville palace. Rigaumont incorporated elements of the Moorish and Renaissance Revival Styles and the Collegiate Gothic symbolism of Cornell University to create a magical haven for theatre and moviegoers. Opening night on December 6, 1928 was a memorable and entertaining spectacle featuring Pau ...