State Theatre marks first century with glimpse at plan for the future

When St. Paul beer magnate William Hamm put his financial backing behind a new theater in Sioux Falls, he never expected that 100 years later a toast would be made in his honor.

But Hamm’s beer was served Saturday night when the State Theatre’s supporters gathered to officially mark the renovated building’s first century with what was dubbed a Golden Gala.

It’s a once-in-a-lifetime milestone,” said Allison Weiland, executive director at the Sioux Falls State Theatre Company. “We needed to go big and mark it. We’re honoring the past but introducing what we would like to come next for the State Theatre.”

The celebration and fundraiser harkened back to the theater’s grand opening in 1926 with vintage tunes, vaudeville entertainment and speakeasy vibes, she said. Festivities when the State reopened in 2020 were muted because of the pandemic. This gave supporters a delayed chance to celebrate.

“One-hundred years is a great milestone,” Weiland said. “So many historic movie palaces and even buildings were torn down and completely gutted. I’m so proud that the State Theatre is flourishing.”

The State opened through a partnership between Hamm and Twin Cities theater impresarios Moses Finkelstein and Isaac Ruben. The three men had opened other theaters, including the first movie palace in St. Paul, which also was the Hamm’s Brewery headquarters.

The State closed in 1990, but supporters refused to see it vanish. A 501(c)3 nonprofit was formed in 2005. Renovation funds included a Community Appeals Campaign through what’s now known as the Greater Sioux Falls Chamber of Commerce and financial contributions at crucial times.

Work on the building is not completed, however, and on Saturday, glimpses of the future were revealed. As Weiland put it, the past was honored, but it also was an opportunity to introduce what might come next for the State.

“We’ve brought the main floor back to life,” she said. “Now, we get to imagine what the rest of the building could be like. We’re flourishing, and people love the State Theatre.”

The balcony is what people ask about most frequently, Weiland said. Older moviegoers made memories in the upper level, and they are eager to see it return.

Architecture Incorporated has prepared renderings that show how the renovated second floor could look. The seats would not recline as those on the main floor do — “you would be staring at the ceiling,” Weiland said — but would be soft and comfortable. It could hold 120 to 130 seats, nearly doubling the State’s capacity.

“That would be huge for us,” Weiland said. “We could have more events, more students coming in and seeing movies. It would help us out a lot as far as capacity goes.”

More theatergoers mean a greater demand for restroom facilities, and restrooms would be added to the second floor as well. A balcony lobby would carry in the color schemes from the main theater with restored walls.

Concession space could be added upstairs, too, along with a space where people could gather before and after the show or use it for private events. Currently, the only place people can gather is in the main lobby.

The State Theatre’s governing board knows that it needs to honor its history and the experience of cinema. Sometimes, historic theaters are known for uncomfortable seats and long lines for the bathrooms, but “we really want to erase that from people’s heads,” Weiland said.

“We’re committed, a part of us, as a nonprofit, as a movie house but also a preservation project. We’re committed to honoring the building’s historic character in a way to make it natural and bringing in modern amenities that will bring people back multiple times. When looking at restoring the balcony, there’s a lot to think about.”

Because so many variables exist, no timeline has been set for future renovations. Weiland expects “movement sooner rather than later, but we are very thoughtful about how restoration unfolds. The pace will be guided by community support and the momentum there.”

The State’s centennial celebration also includes a State 100 Film Series. This week, the State will show the 1957 drama “12 Angry Men” on Thursday and Saturday.