WAYNESBORO – Waynesboro Theatre is now offering a new platform of entertainment.
Joey Freeman, manager, is spreading the news about upcoming live performers who will showcase their talents on the theater’s new stage.
Area residents can turn to Facebook, Instagram and the theater’s website for more information. “We’re hoping that the more it spreads by word of mouth, more people will show up at our concerts and events. We remain committed to being a non-profit that is affordable for our community, both with our live events and movies,” Freeman noted.
Rebuilders Unlimited Inc. of Waynesboro donated the materials and constructed the stage. “It was made in two pieces and then Beaver’s Auto Body (of Waynesboro) picked it up and brought it to the theater,” he added. Welding the sections together, adding legs and other finishing touches were courtesy of Dave and Chris Stouffer as recommended by board president Sheree Green and her husband Scott. Chuck Morningstar of Waynesboro Floor Covering installed the stage carpet at a major discount, said Freeman.
Concerts began last month with bluegrass band West Branch 3, followed by an Elvis show Aprl1 2. Across the Pond, an Irish Celtic group, will perform from 7 to 9 p.m. Saturday, May 10. Admission is $20. Lucky Punk is on tap from 7 to 10 p.m. Friday, May 30. Admission is $10.
“We’re also hoping to host the Frederick Catoctones Barbershop Chorus in August and a Waynesboro’s Got Talent kid edition.” Comedy shows, featuring “clean” stand up, also are being considered, according to Freeman. “And we’re still reaching out to other groups.”
History of theater
Located at 75 W. Main St., the theater is owned and operated by non-profit Waynesboro Community Theatre Project Inc.
The facility is located on the site of the former Arcade Theatre, which opened in 1916. At the time it was built, the Arcade Theatre had the largest stage east of the Mississippi River. The Arcade and a second theater, the Strand, showed serials on Saturdays. During the silent-film era, a pipe organ provided accompaniment at the Arcade, while either a pianist or a player piano provided music at the Strand.
In 1954, Warner Bros. Theatres Inc. sold the building to Transamerica Waynesboro Realty Corp., which sold the property to NWO Inc. in 1966. NWO Inc. demolished the Arcade Theatre and built the current building that houses Waynesboro Theatre.
The Waynesboro Theatre was operated by Lou Radakovich from 1976 until it closed in 2014. Soon after, The Waynesboro Community Theatre Project formed to preserve the cinema “as a crucial component of a vibrant downtown and overall quality of life.”
Through private and public support, Waynesboro Theatre underwent extensive renovations – a new, modern exterior, concession area, bathrooms and 200-seat auditorium – and reopened Nov. 20, 2015, with high-end digital picture and surround sound.
After renovations were complete, the Waynesboro Theatre was operated by HighRock Group and then New Vision, which purchased HighRock Group in January 2019.
In early 2020, New Vision filed for bankruptcy and Waynesboro Theatre was closed. Later that year, Waynesboro Community Theatre Project opened the theater again with the help of sponsors and donors.
