Capitol Theatre Center
Encyclopedia
The Capitol Theatre Center is a theater located at 159 South Main Street in downtown Chambersburg
, Pennsylvania
, located midway between Gettysburg
, Pennsylvania
and Hagerstown
, Maryland
. The Capitol Theatre Center opened as a movie theater
on February 3, 1927. Following renovations in 1996 the Capitol now operates as a community arts center. It is funded through the Capitol Theatre Center Foundation. The Capitol Theatre Center is one of the few theaters in the United States
to still have its original organ, a Möller theater pipe organ. The Capitol Theatre Center is the home of all performances done by the Chambersburg Community Theatre. The Capitol Theatre Center also provides the option of renting for fundraisers and other small events. It now has expanded restrooms, a large concession area, coat room, a more visible box office, gift shop, and an elevator.
Along with the renovations came the introduction of the Chambersburg Council for the Arts, Caledonia Theatre Company, Chambersburg Ballet Theatre School, the Wood Center Stage Theatre, and the Chambersburg Community Theatre. Today, the Capitol Theatre Center hosts performances by these groups as well as concerts and fundraising events.
The Cumberland Valley Film Club is a movie theatre a part of the Capitol Theatre Center. The Cumberland Valley Film Club shows movies that appeal to the viewer's emotions. Here is where movie lovers can relax and enjoy movies instead of watching them at home. The Cumberland Valley Film Club show movies such as Life is Beautiful
, Under the Same Moon, and The Kite Runner
.
The Missoula Children's Theatre is one of the nation's largest touring children's theatre. They have been touring for 35 years and will visit over 1,200 communities this year. To cast children in their plays, the Missoula Children's Theatre holds open auditions. The Missoula Children's Theatre adapts their own style to the stories to make it their unique. Those who participate in the Missoula Children's Theatre productions can take advantage of the creativity, social skills, goal achievement, communication skills, and self-esteem the theatre provides. The Missoula Children's Theatre is based in Missoula, Montana
.
The Chambersburg Ballet Theatre School provides 14 levels of classical ballet classes for those ages four to 60. The Chambersburg Ballet Theatre School offers fun and challenging classes for men, boys, women, children, and the elderly. Not limiting themselves to ballet classes, the Chambersburg Ballet Theatre School has summer camps, contemporary modern and jazz styles, character dances, and a Saturday Adult “Stretch and Relax” mat class.
The Chambersburg Council for the Arts offers art classes for children six to nine years old. These classes help to build student's self esteem, and shows them how to use different art supplies, understand composition, and developed creative self expression.
The Cumberland Valley School of Music was founded in 1990 and is a part of the renovated Capitol Theatre. The Cumberland Valley School of Music offers music lessons, classes, workshops, and summer camps, recitals and concerts. There are more than 600 students enrolled each year who are taught by 55 teachers. The Cumberland Valley School of Music accepts all ages for classes. These classes include teachings in orchestral and band instruments, voice, piano, guitar, drama and theatrical techniques, and the Suzuki piano. The Cumberland Valley School of Music helps to further the community by sponsoring local musical groups. These musical groups include CVSM sponsors the Cumberbunds, the CVSM Community Symphonic Band, the CVSM Community String Orchestra, the CVSM Concert Jazz Band, the CVSM New Horizon's Band, numerous student ensembles, extensive performance and recital opportunities. Those who require more practice are offered the opportunity to schedule private lessons at Wilson College, Mercersburg Academy, Montessori Academy, and St. Andrew School. Each year, for the community, the Cumberland Valley School of Music has a Showcase Concert, an Awards Concert, a series of Musicales, a Neighborhood Chefs' Walk, an Elegant Winter Dinner Dance and Auction, a Celebration of Jazz, and an annual student Performathon.
It all started in 1954 when a group of actors put on a production of "The Male Animal." In 1974, the Chambersburg Community Theatre gained nonprofit status. The Chambersburg Community Theatre performed drama's such as The Wizard of Oz
and The Glass Menageire
. The Chambersburg Community Theatre has not always been a part of the Capitol Theatre. First, the theatre was located at Central Jr. High School, then at the Rosedale Theatre, then Faust Jr. High School and soon back to Central Jr. High School, then to the Capitol Theatre, and then to Wilson College. Now the Community Theatre is back at the Capitol Theatre and has been for the last 20 years.
Chambersburg, Pennsylvania
Chambersburg is a borough in the South Central region of Pennsylvania, United States. It is miles north of Maryland and the Mason-Dixon line and southwest of Harrisburg in the Cumberland Valley, which is part of the Great Appalachian Valley. Chambersburg is the county seat of Franklin County...
, Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
, located midway between Gettysburg
Gettysburg, Pennsylvania
Gettysburg is a borough that is the county seat, part of the Gettysburg Battlefield, and the eponym for the 1863 Battle of Gettysburg. The town hosts visitors to the Gettysburg National Military Park and has 3 institutions of higher learning: Lutheran Theological Seminary, Gettysburg College, and...
, Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
and Hagerstown
Hagerstown, Maryland
Hagerstown is a city in northwestern Maryland, United States. It is the county seat of Washington County, and, by many definitions, the largest city in a region known as Western Maryland. The population of Hagerstown city proper at the 2010 census was 39,662, and the population of the...
, Maryland
Maryland
Maryland is a U.S. state located in the Mid Atlantic region of the United States, bordering Virginia, West Virginia, and the District of Columbia to its south and west; Pennsylvania to its north; and Delaware to its east...
. The Capitol Theatre Center opened as a movie theater
Movie theater
A movie theater, cinema, movie house, picture theater, film theater is a venue, usually a building, for viewing motion pictures ....
on February 3, 1927. Following renovations in 1996 the Capitol now operates as a community arts center. It is funded through the Capitol Theatre Center Foundation. The Capitol Theatre Center is one of the few theaters in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
to still have its original organ, a Möller theater pipe organ. The Capitol Theatre Center is the home of all performances done by the Chambersburg Community Theatre. The Capitol Theatre Center also provides the option of renting for fundraisers and other small events. It now has expanded restrooms, a large concession area, coat room, a more visible box office, gift shop, and an elevator.
History
The Capitol was developed in 1926 by the Pottstown, PA Theatre Company. The PA Theatre Company wanted to add to the rapidly growing number of movie theatres. The Quigly Hafer construction company was hired to build the theatre. It was completed in only nine months and opened on February 3, 1927. At the time, the Capitol Theatre Center was the most technically advanced theatre in the area. In 1948, the Capitol Theatre Center went through a thorough renovations that included the addition of air conditioning. The major goal of the renovations was to transform the theatre from a movie theatre to a performing arts center, which would allow them to target a more diverse cultural audience.Restoration
In 1996, the Capitol Theatre Center underwent a seven-year restoration that was completed in 2003. The name of the theatre was changed to Capitol Theatre Center and was envisioned to be the main theater in Chambersburg. The Capitol Theatre Center now featured an improved stage and a completely renovated auditorium. The main floor was leveled and resurfaced; the stage was enlarged and extended, and the dressing rooms were redecorated. A hydraulic lift was added for the organ console, lighting boxes were installed in the auditorium, and 524 new seats were installed, including 8 wheelchair spaces. In the balcony of the theatre, walls were repainted and the seating platforms were reconstructed. On the first floor, wheelchair accessible bathrooms were built and offices were added for the Capitol Theatre Center management.Along with the renovations came the introduction of the Chambersburg Council for the Arts, Caledonia Theatre Company, Chambersburg Ballet Theatre School, the Wood Center Stage Theatre, and the Chambersburg Community Theatre. Today, the Capitol Theatre Center hosts performances by these groups as well as concerts and fundraising events.
Regular activities
- Cumberland Valley Film Club
The Cumberland Valley Film Club is a movie theatre a part of the Capitol Theatre Center. The Cumberland Valley Film Club shows movies that appeal to the viewer's emotions. Here is where movie lovers can relax and enjoy movies instead of watching them at home. The Cumberland Valley Film Club show movies such as Life is Beautiful
Life Is Beautiful
Life Is Beautiful is a 1997 Italian film which tells the story of a Jewish Italian, Guido Orefice , who must employ his fertile imagination to help his family during their internment in a Nazi concentration camp.At the 71st Academy Awards in 1999, Benigni won the Academy Award for Best Actor and...
, Under the Same Moon, and The Kite Runner
The Kite Runner (film)
The Kite Runner is a 2007 drama film directed by Marc Forster based on the novel of the same name by Khaled Hosseini. It tells the story of Amir, a well-to-do boy from the Wazir Akbar Khan district of Kabul, who is tormented by the guilt of abandoning his friend Hassan, the son of his father's...
.
- Missoula Children's Theatre
The Missoula Children's Theatre is one of the nation's largest touring children's theatre. They have been touring for 35 years and will visit over 1,200 communities this year. To cast children in their plays, the Missoula Children's Theatre holds open auditions. The Missoula Children's Theatre adapts their own style to the stories to make it their unique. Those who participate in the Missoula Children's Theatre productions can take advantage of the creativity, social skills, goal achievement, communication skills, and self-esteem the theatre provides. The Missoula Children's Theatre is based in Missoula, Montana
Missoula, Montana
Missoula is a city located in western Montana and is the county seat of Missoula County. The 2010 Census put the population of Missoula at 66,788 and the population of Missoula County at 109,299. Missoula is the principal city of the Missoula Metropolitan Area...
.
- Chambersburg Ballet Theatre School
The Chambersburg Ballet Theatre School provides 14 levels of classical ballet classes for those ages four to 60. The Chambersburg Ballet Theatre School offers fun and challenging classes for men, boys, women, children, and the elderly. Not limiting themselves to ballet classes, the Chambersburg Ballet Theatre School has summer camps, contemporary modern and jazz styles, character dances, and a Saturday Adult “Stretch and Relax” mat class.
- Chambersburg Council for the Arts
The Chambersburg Council for the Arts offers art classes for children six to nine years old. These classes help to build student's self esteem, and shows them how to use different art supplies, understand composition, and developed creative self expression.
- Cumberland Valley School of Music
The Cumberland Valley School of Music was founded in 1990 and is a part of the renovated Capitol Theatre. The Cumberland Valley School of Music offers music lessons, classes, workshops, and summer camps, recitals and concerts. There are more than 600 students enrolled each year who are taught by 55 teachers. The Cumberland Valley School of Music accepts all ages for classes. These classes include teachings in orchestral and band instruments, voice, piano, guitar, drama and theatrical techniques, and the Suzuki piano. The Cumberland Valley School of Music helps to further the community by sponsoring local musical groups. These musical groups include CVSM sponsors the Cumberbunds, the CVSM Community Symphonic Band, the CVSM Community String Orchestra, the CVSM Concert Jazz Band, the CVSM New Horizon's Band, numerous student ensembles, extensive performance and recital opportunities. Those who require more practice are offered the opportunity to schedule private lessons at Wilson College, Mercersburg Academy, Montessori Academy, and St. Andrew School. Each year, for the community, the Cumberland Valley School of Music has a Showcase Concert, an Awards Concert, a series of Musicales, a Neighborhood Chefs' Walk, an Elegant Winter Dinner Dance and Auction, a Celebration of Jazz, and an annual student Performathon.
- Chambersburg Community Theatre
It all started in 1954 when a group of actors put on a production of "The Male Animal." In 1974, the Chambersburg Community Theatre gained nonprofit status. The Chambersburg Community Theatre performed drama's such as The Wizard of Oz
The Wizard of Oz (1939 film)
The Wizard of Oz is a 1939 American musical fantasy film produced by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. It was directed primarily by Victor Fleming. Noel Langley, Florence Ryerson and Edgar Allan Woolf received credit for the screenplay, but there were uncredited contributions by others. The lyrics for the songs...
and The Glass Menageire
The Glass Menagerie (1950 film)
The Glass Menagerie is a 1950 American drama film directed by Irving Rapper. The screenplay by Tennessee Williams and Peter Berneis is based on the 1944 Williams play of the same title. It was the first of his plays to be adapted for the screen.-Plot:...
. The Chambersburg Community Theatre has not always been a part of the Capitol Theatre. First, the theatre was located at Central Jr. High School, then at the Rosedale Theatre, then Faust Jr. High School and soon back to Central Jr. High School, then to the Capitol Theatre, and then to Wilson College. Now the Community Theatre is back at the Capitol Theatre and has been for the last 20 years.