The State Theatre

We enjoyed another stellar concert at the State Theater, this time from the Steep Canyon Rangers. The theater is comfortable and offers snacks and refreshment if desired. The smaller venue offers a more intimate experience and interaction with the programmers.

Have enjoyed 8-10 shows last year or so. Attic & main theater. Disappointed to find $18+ in fees to book Betts concert in April. Will be our last visit because of this greedy practice. Tickets are will call so not even mail expenses involved!

Surprising large theater for one that looks small from the outside, was pleasantly surprise! Super nice venue inside and it wasn't too hard to find seats. Seating was pretty comfortable and the movie we watched that night looked great up on the screen! If you do grab tickets, make sure to come early (especially if you're in a group) since there's generally a line to get in even with tickets. At most it took me ten minutes to get inside, but I didn't have any gripes at all. Can't wait to visit again!

Great place to go for a date or hangout with friends. During normal screenings, the theatre has many good viewing points available (including an upstairs section).

When the theatre reopened however many years ago, I was more than a little cautious about getting my hopes up, as we'd not had a venue of the sort in our area for many years. It has since then become my favorite spot for ALL kinds of music, dance, cabaret (shout out to Lady Grey's Lovelies!) local fundraising efforts, our local LIVE Rocky Horror Picture Show (hooray for Love and Light Productions), and they even offer free kid's movies once a week all summer long. I have been lucky to attend the shows of some awesome 'Jam Bands', The Cast Of Beatlemania..and, even my ALL TIME favorite band, Third Eye Blind, played there on their 2009 tour. Because it's such a small venue, I had the privilege of meeting the band after the concert and was even invited back on their bus for cocktails 😄 So if an artist you really love, or even just someone you'd like to meet is playing at State Theatre, I highly recommend that after the show you run around to the back, in Calder Alley, and wait patiently to get hugs and autographs! Oh, and the best part is that there is not one single bad seat in the entire auditorium, both floor and balcony offer fantastic views. Those old guys from the Muppet Show would struggle for a complaint! I love supporting local business and local art and music; but it's the absolute bestest when those two things merge into one awesomesauce event 🎟️🎭🎶💃🕺🎞️

My first time here was amazing. I'll definately go back. I enjoyed the concert with my wife and youngest child. Concession area with alcoholic beverages, snack food, and non alcoholic drinks

Wonderful old theater right downtown State College. They have tons of music, films and events for all ages. Seating gets tight in the front 5 rows, but other than that great seats all around. Intimate space that offers popcorn and beer! Sometimes they have parking vouchers, but usually you will have to pay for the parking garage nearby.

We like to go here to watch old movies. They oversold Valentine's Day tickets a bit. It was really packed for "When Harry met Sally." We sat in disabled sitting at the back for my husband, but many had to use folding chairs from the back. There are reasonably priced refreshments there, and staff is always pleasant.

This is a great spot in the middle of Penn State University that brings in movies and shows alike. The staff is great, the popcorn and drinks were good, and the restrooms were clean. The theatre was a good size, the seats were comfortable, and it was just a fun night!

Was there for a Tanya Tucker Show. Sat for 1 1/2 hours waiting with no explanation as to why it was late starting. Finally walked out!! Not even an offer to refund or reason. Won't go back !!!

Part of our Central PA Arts Festival Weekend. We saw the Four Bitchin Babes What a great place. State College should be proud of the venue, proud of the renovation, and proud of whatever endowment they have. Well run, with happy and helpful people, well maintained bothrooms . A real plus to your city.

Went back to see another movie. Could not sit through the whole thing as the chairs were so low to the ground, my RLS was going crazy. While it's very cool, retro, I really think the theater should be updated. Seats are very close together, so there is no leg room between you and the seat ahead. Compounded with the lowness of the chairs, I just don't think I'll be going back.

The cinema circuit in State College has shrunk over the years, and only two locations remain where one can see movies upon release. These two theaters show exactly the same movies, and retain blockbusters for far longer than necessary, meaning that those with lower box office cred never make it. That's where the State Theatre comes in. Movies show up a bit later than they would in, say New York, but you're not in New York. You're in State College. Sorry. If you're interested in foreign or independent cinema, you'll be spending some time at the State Theatre, and you'll be very glad it's there. Seasonal repertory films also appear, often tied to occasions like Halloween and Christmas, and there are afternoon screenings for kids. The Theatre also has live performances, on its appealingly antique stage. Regrettably, what sells in this town skews heavily toward hippie tribute bands or lounge act impersonators, meaning the State Theatre's value is mostly as a cinema. But when the occasional genuine rock concert is scheduled, it's likely to be a good one, in spite of the tendency to hold to one rather particular style. The Drive-by Truckers, The Hold Steady, Dr. Dog, Billy Bragg, and others of a similar ilk have all appeared. In spite of often frustrating bookings, the Theatre's value for State College culture is immeasurable.

This place is a real treasure. An awesome venue for both films and live music. They have a great sense of what's important and their eclectic selection of events reflects that. I have only one regret and that is that at some point the interior of the the theater was "modernized". It probably sounds better now... But I miss the 1930s feel that the outside of the venue promises. This is an important resource... it needed to be supported!!

Bumping up my review a star, as the State Theatre has been doing a MUCH better job booking interesting music over the past year. I'd still like to see them skew a bit younger in their tastes, but they're definitely improving!

I'm from Middlesex NJ, and Can't make it to a more local show. I'm a life long fan of The Zappa Family and really want to see this show, so I'm considering making the 3 hour trip to see it at your theater. What is the probability of Mr. Zappa doing autographs and/or pics after the show?

The State Theater is a good place to see an orchestra, a small concert or a play of any sort. I have done a play there and it was good. If you go backstage you only see 1 dressing room and bathroom which was the only problem. The Theater is a very comfortable place to go with family or friends to see whatever you'd like.

this is the greatest place for live music and movies in this state. the end! everyone ever should come to this place for everything!!

How is it that this is the first review for the State Theatre? I absolutely adore this place; everything about it from its long historic past to its modern day revival is incredible. I have seen both movies on the giant screen and live performances in the main hall and the smaller attic space. The acoustics make a live production Broadway worthy and the lightening is good enough for a Crüe concert. I like that the State Theatre takes an art-house approach to the movies that they decide to screen which is great for someone who is used to the Ritz Theaters in Philadelphia. Perhaps my favorite aspect about this place was the old cartoons that they used to show on Saturday mornings. After hearing the opening lines of the Looney Tunes theme, I was instantly transported back to my childhood and relished in the nostalgia. I really hope they bring this back because the whole community, all age groups benefited from this, not to mention that it was FREE! The playroom in the attic at the State is the perfect place to see an intimate performance by under the radar, local thespians. All five of your senses will be utilized during whatever it is you are seeing and there is always the chance that you will be asked to participate in the performance. My only complaint is that my COMM film class wasn't held here, I missed it by half a semester, boo-hoo.