Auburn State Theatre turns 90: Residents share memories of earliest days; staff hopes for belated celebration

The Auburn State Theatre, a historic staple in the community, celebrated 90 years of operation Dec. 26. Auburn State Theatre President Emeritus Paul Ogden said the theatre's success is due to the community and its historic interest in movies. "It's very much of a community effort," he said. "There's a lot of people, and today we still have a board of directors that's very passionate about wanting to keep the asset going, believing that it's very important for a community to have this kind of facility available." The State Theatre opened its historic doors on Dec. 26, 1930, with an orchestra, a balcony and more than 1,300 seats. The headline of the Dec. 25, 1930, issue of the Auburn Journal and Placer County Republican described the theatre as "The new building of the State Theatre is a monument to commercial enterprise." Throughout its history, the theatre, renamed the Auburn State Theatre in 2019, has undergone multiple modifications, including the vertical "State" sign and marquee addition in 1937; the 1974 remodel, which included the removal of the balcony due to a cracked supporting truss; the addition of the wall in the 1980s, splitting the theatre into two cinemas; the addition of the new facade in 2008, which replicates the 1937 facade; and the tearing down of the wall in 2008, making the theatre a single space again. Today, the theatre has 340 seats, formerly used at Grauman's Chinese Theatre in Los Angeles, a single stage and various business offices along the entryway. Auburn State Theatre Executive Director Janis Wikoff said the evidence of the original theatre can still be seen, as the outside stairs leading to upstairs businesses once led to the balcony and the downward slant leading into the theatre doors is where the original seating once began. But throughout its course of operation, the theatre has hosted a variety of events other than movies, including, according to Wikoff, the Placer Union High School band, live cooking demonstrations, electric appliance exhibits and gift nights where patrons could receive various items, like beauty cream, when they presented a full paid admission ticket. According to Ogden, Auburn Placer Performing Arts Center Founders Dorothy Viera and Esther Stanton had the vision of a performing arts center in town and obtained community backing to open a performing arts center in the State Theatre. The organization, which now owns the theatre, was later granted non-profit status in 2001. Residents shared personal memories with the Auburn Journal, recounting the theatre provided a safe and entertaining environment. "Growing up in the 50s, we didn't have a lot of entertainment options that are available now, but we were always busy," Scott Maxwell said. "... The State Theatre was kind of like our go-to place because they were always there and they always had double features." Maxwell shared in addition to the cartoon double features, the theatre also had a game between features and a free matinee, provided by the Auburn Lions Club, for school kids around Christmastime. Maxwell later became a volunteer for the theatre due to his "personal knowledge of what the theatre was" and "knowing what it meant to me as a child." Bobbi Machado also grew up attending Saturday matinees. Machado said she remembers watching "The Lone Ranger", "Our Gang," Shirley Temple, Jane Withers and cartoons featuring Donald Duck and Goofy. "Back then, in the 30s and 40s, that's all you had to do was go to the theatre or go to the library," she said. "There wasn't a lot of things for kids to do like today. … It was a Saturday afternoon, that's what we did." Machado also said she hopes the community continues to support the theatre once its doors reopen, as it is a staple of Auburn and, "If everybody would support the theatre, we would have a really nice theatre." Evon Basque, who worked at the theatre running the candy counter and ushering in the balcony from 1946 until the summer of 1948, recounted the beauty of the theatre with its French doors, candy counter, loges and painted mosaic on the ceiling, noting it was "quite a difference" from the theatre today. "My fondest memory was just being there," Basque said. Basque shared a memory of then-manager Mr. Remington having a rule of not leaning on the wall while ushering and always wanted her to usher on his side of the theatre "because they said I stood the stiffest." "I remember that I always watched, when I saw him, that I wasn't leaning against the wall," she said, laughing. "That's a big memory of mine. Other than that, I just enjoyed the people." Although the pandemic hinders the theatre from celebrating this milestone, Wikoff said they hope to highlight the 90th anniversary later this year. "We won't be celebrating this year but will be planning a celebration of thanks and renewal over the months of reopening," she said. "It would be wonderful to mark the ninth decade on in late December 2021." Wikoff said the theatre also is celebrating being voted Best Non-Profit Organization through the Auburn Chamber of Commerce. "Our staff and board of directors are very grateful for this recognition," she said. "Auburn has many outstanding non-profits and we are pleased to be recognized. It is an honor." Depending on COVID guidelines, Ogden said, they are hopeful to resume operations by the end of summer or fall season. Wikoff confirmed when the theatre reopens they will show movies, present concerts, plan another outdoor movie series with The Station Public House, and the State Theatre Acting Company will stage "The Drowsy Chaperone," which was set to hit the stage in 2020. To continue the theatre's success, Wikoff said improvements are planned to enhance the overall experience. "Eventually, Auburn State Theatre will look toward new ways of improving the building to enhance patron and perform experience, but that is down the road," Wikoff said. "Right now, we are taking care of the building, being very responsible with the funding that we have raised and planning a strong reopening when we can come together. We will be so happy to open up and get back to serving local wine and beer, making our delicious popcorn and serving those special cookies from our local bakery." Ogden said another key to continued success would be to connect with younger generations, as a majority of the theatre's audience is over the age of 50. "If we can do that and have the kind of entertainment that they want and they'll support the entertainment, and also be involved with our volunteer program and our staffing, I think the future would be bright," he said. Anyone from the community wanting to support the theatre can submit a donation in person, via mail to P.O. Box 7733, Auburn, CA 95604, or online through the theatre's GoFundMe page (https://bit.ly/GoFundMe-APPAC). Wikoff said this is also the time of year when patrons renew their State Theatre memberships, as it provides members with benefits through discounted tickets and celebrations.