Company Profile
The Paramount Theater of Charlottesville
Company Overview
Educate, Enchant, Enrich, and Enlighten
Educate. The arts introduce us all to new ideas and perspectives. Our Arts Education Program serves approximately 15,000 students and teachers every year. In addition to the regular school-day performances, some of the Arts Education productions offer public performances to serve the community at large. The Paramount’s family programming is dedicated to providing high-quality, meaningful options for the youth and students of our community.
Enchant. There is always magic coming from our stage and screen. The Paramount has hosted hundreds of world-renowned artists throughout our history, from world-class music, dance, and cultural icons to local productions and community fundraisers. The Paramount plays an integral role in the arts infrastructure of our community and is the only nonprofit venue devoted to the diverse presentation of diverse, high-impact art forms.
Enrich. Our lives are touched by arts experiences. The Paramount delivers enriching programs that encourage and foster in-depth insights from subject matter artists and experts for inquisitive audiences, including pre-show lectures, master classes with artists, and community panel discussions.
Enlighten. The arts reach our senses in impactful ways. The Paramount hosts a wide array of artists and speakers to share stories and perspectives that transform audiences. We are a resource for nonprofit organizations and arts organizations from near and far to share their purpose and message with patrons from all walks of life.
Company History
In 1992, the non-profit Paramount Theater, Inc. purchased the historic theater that was built in 1931 and permanently closed in 1974. With a grant from the City of Charlottesville, the work began. The initial project — restoring the Main Street marquee — was selected for maximum visibility. After the marquee’s structure and finishes were examined, microanalysis of the paint determined original colors. At midnight on that New Year’s Eve, the marquee’s lights shone brightly on Main Street for the first time in a decade. The Paramount seemed ready to begin life anew.
Progress continued with the hiring of Washington architectural firm Martinez & Johnson Architecture, in partnership with Charlottesville firm Bushman Dreyfus Architects. The $17.6 million project includes not only the meticulous restoration of the theater, but also the creation of new facilities enabling The Paramount to step into its new role as a regional performing arts center — a modified fly loft, backstage areas, orchestra pit, and a three-story annex building with computerized box office, ballroom and meeting spaces, and a community rehearsal room.
Restored to its former glory, The Paramount Theater opened its doors to the public once more on December 15, 2004 — more than thirty years after it had closed. But, one final piece was missing.
Due to the enormity of the restoration, the return of the vertical blade sign could not be completed during the original restoration. As The Paramount approached its tenth anniversary of reopening, the campaign to restore the vertical blade sign was revived. A fitting conclusion to the 16-month tenth anniversary celebration, the illumination of the blade sign took place on December 15, 2015. The blade sign was dedicated to the children of Charlottesville – past, present, and future generations.
Since its re-opening in 2004, The Paramount has continued to grow and thrive as a performing arts center with the spirit of its original mission in mind to “educate, enchant, enrich, and enlighten”, hosting acclaimed artists and live performances of a wide range of genres and styles, presenting classic films and live broadcasts, working with local artists and non-profits, and welcoming thousands of students and educators to its educational programming each year.
Notable Accomplishments / Recognition
The greater Charlottesville community continues to recognize The Paramount Theater’s cultural and economic significance, awarding it the 2016 Tourism Achievement Award by the Charlottesville/Albemarle Convention & Visitors Bureau; the 2016 Best of C-Ville Award for Best Theatre (Live), Best Place to Watch a Movie, and Best Music Venue; and the 2015 Charlottesville Family Reader Favorite Award for Favorite Movie Theater.
In July of 2017, the Theater received international recognition when it was awarded the Outstanding Historic Theatre Award by the League of Historic American Theatres (LHAT). This award recognizes a theater that demonstrates excellence through its community impact, quality of programs and services, and quality of the restoration or rehabilitation of its historic structure.
Benefits
Paid parking, complimentary event tickets, concessions discount, professional development