Nearing Fundraising Goal, State Theatre Plans Fall Launch for New Projection System

The State Theatre has nearly reached its fundraising goal for a new digital projection system that will allow it to expand its movie offerings beginning this fall.

An October launch is planned for the new digital 4k laser projection and digital cinema audio processing system, said Justin Dorsey, director of development and community outreach for the nonprofit theater in downtown State College. With the fundraising campaign officially set to close on Sept. 1, $117,000 of the $120,000 goal has been raised, and the theater has begun scheduling infrastructure modifications and sourcing equipment.

Movies — usually older films and some newer indie releases — have become an increasingly popular component of The State Theatre's lineup . In 2023, Executive Director John Rattie put a renewed focus on movies and the theater reached 150% of its financial goal for the category. For 2024, it has surpassed 160% of its target and is on pace for 240% by the end of its fiscal year on Oct. 31, Dorsey said.

The venue's current projection system, however, is old and works with Blu-ray and DVD, limiting what movies the theater has access to.

The new system will be compatible with Digital Cinema Package, which is now the standard for major distribution.

"It is not a goal of The State to become a 'first-run' movie house, per se, however, this newly acquired technology will give us 'first-run' access to major film festivals such as Cannes and Tribeca," Dorsey wrote in an email. "Currently we run a 1080p digital projection system, which means we can’t screen anything until it has been released on Blu-ray/DVD."

Like other offerings, movie programming requires a balance between popularity and the theater's artistic mission as a performing arts center, Dorsey said. The new projection system will help with that balance.

"We’ve been able to capture something of a nostalgia trend in our recent movie programming initiatives, screening blockbusters from decades past, giving audiences the chance to experience these movies for the first time, or for the first time in a long time," Dorsey wrote. "With more access to a wider range of movies, at or adjacent to their 'first run' will allow us to take more chances on our art house, foreign and classic movies — diversifying our movie programming from all perspectives, and allowing us to better fulfill our mission to enhance the cultural and artistic landscape of State College and Centre County."

Film buffs will also be excited to learn that The State Theatre is working on relaunching its 35mm projectors, though staff are still working through logistics and don't yet have a timeframe.

For the new digital projection system, the fundraising campaign received a $42,500 Tourism Grant from the Happy Valley Adventure Bureau and Centre County Board of Commissioners and what Dorsey called "an unbelievably generous gift" of $35,000 from Charlene Friedman. The campaign also benefited from more than $26,000 raised during Centre Gives and the theater's own fundraising efforts.

"We of course would like to thank the outpouring of support from all our community members. Every donation means the absolute world to us," Dorsey said. "Our staff and volunteers put in a tremendous effort to get us to this point, and I can thank them enough."

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