State Theater

1489 Myers Street
Oroville, Ca

Contact:

BOX OFFICE
(530) 538.2470

GENERAL INFORMATION
(530) 538-2415

statetheater@cityoforoville.org

The City of Oroville is proud to welcome you to the “City of Gold’s” meeting place. The Historic State Theater is located in Downtown Oroville, and in available for Plays, Bands, Movies, Musicals, Talent Shows, Pageants, Fashion Shows and even meetings. A professional staff is ready to assist you to insure a successful event.

The State Theater Features:

• Theater Chairs Mounted on Sloping Floor
  Seating Chart
• Continental Seating of 608 on Main Floor
• Ample Parking
• 17- Counter Balanced Line Sets
• Professional Lighting System
• Professional Sound System With Great Acoustics
• Complete Dressing Room Facilities
• Projection Room for Film
• Box Office Facilities
• The Lobby Areas Are Available for Receptions

View Upcoming Shows:

For Details about State Theater Fees, Policies and Technical Specifications (PDF)

Brief History:

The STATE THEATER has been an integral part of downtown Oroville since it was dedicated on April 7, 1928. With credits like the Pacific Telephone and Telegraph Building in San Francisco, and Oakland's Paramount Theater, Timothy L. Pflueger and J. R. Miller were contracted to design the grand, new Oroville facility.

The theater was originally destined for fine vaudeville acts and films and so the opening night show featured the Might Wurlitzer theater organ, some live vaudeville acts, and the Paramount silent feature movie, Partners in Crime. Many high school plays and graduations were also held on stage, as well as talent shows and World War II war bond drives.

Later, United Artists purchased the building and turned the facility into a movie house, showing only films and later splitting the theater’s main auditorium in two.

During the summer of 1986 United Artists notified the City of its intent to close and sell the theater. Rather than have a vacant building downtown, the City viewed the pending closure as an opportunity to fill a long-standing need for a community performance center. On September 30, 1986 the City of Oroville purchased the facility for $200,000. The theater then underwent renovations to return to a single stage/screen with the capacity of a performing arts facility including the ability to show films.

Today the city is undertaking a long-term restoration of the entire theater including returning the exterior to its original grandeur, as well as replicating the old marquee and flag sign. The interior murals and decorative finishes will be uncovered or replicated and the return of the Mighty Wurlitzer Theater organ will bring an added dimension to this historic theatre. Our State Theater is now also recognized in the National Historical Register.