The State Theater — Attraction in Springfield

We attended a high school class "birthday party" at the old State theater, and it was wonderful to see the rehab / remodel that is underway. The event space is not quite ready for public consumption, and there was lots of construction in progress. (Upstairs was roped-off. Work areas on the first floor were open, but stairs and ramps had insufficient rails. Temporary electrical wiring on the floor is a fall hazard and needs warning signs. The engineer in me sneaked a peek at the stacks of blueprints I found in open work areas.) That said, I'm very glad the committee was able to get us access. This place will be grand!

GOOD NEW NEWS: two new functioning unisex restrooms on the south side of the lobby beside the round topped door to the ancient, still-functional men's room.

Just one of the fun things I noticed: The wall behind the old concession stand is gone. The counter space has been expanded into what used to be one or two back rows of the theater. I expect a large, beautiful bar.

SUGGESTION TO OWNERS: Please consider at least a mock-up of the old marquis ticket booth. What an icon you are re-purposing!

UPDATE!!! Feb. 1, 2024...

Well-done! The rehab and repurposing is nearly (if not completely) "ready for prime time." My earlier knocks applied only while "under construction." Beautiful accomplishment.

So, how about that...

We are incredibly grateful to The State Theater for making our parents' 50th anniversary a night they will never forget! The process of securing the venue was seamless, thanks to the wonderful staff who ensured everything went perfectly.The theater's unique charm served as the perfect backdrop for an Elvis-themed party. The stage was ideal for the vow renewal ceremony and the Elvis impersonator performance left everyone in awe. The sound system was top-notch, allowing our DJ to set up with ease, and it was simple to connect our laptop for a photo slideshow on the impressive large screen.We loved the customizable uplighting that added a special atmosphere to our event. With a full-service bar and a separate catering bar, the setup fostered great flow throughout the evening. Plus, having tables, chairs, and black tablecloths included in the package saved us from coordinating with another vendor, which was a huge relief.The location is superb for out-of-town guests, just a 5-minute walk from the downtown Marriott and close to fantastic restaurants like Hi Hat and Casa Central. Overall, The State Theater is truly a Springfield gem, and we wholeheartedly support the downtown revitalization efforts. If you’re looking for a unique venue to make your event special, I highly recommend The State Theater!Thank you once again...

I went for a pre-opening event, the OSU-Michigan game. The developers of this very cool renovation were still finishing up, but it’s clear that the rejuvenated State is going to a much needed classy destination to have a cocktail or two, see some music, special event, etc. The huge new bar is awesome, the operating partners were there and great to hangout with. Kudos to everyone who got this done, I will...