The State Theatre is a historic theatre building in downtown Austin, Texas, located at 719 Congress Avenue next to the Paramount Theatre. Built in 1935 as a motion-picture theatre, it is operated by the Austin Theatre Alliance as part of the Paramount and State Theatres complex. The venue has been used for film screenings, live performance, comedy, festival programming, educational programs, and events presented through the Paramount and State Theatres organization.
History
The State Theatre was built in 1935 by the Dallas-based Interstate Theaters chain, which also operated the neighboring Paramount Theatre. According to the Austin American-Statesman, the State was built next door to the Paramount after the Paramount, originally opened as the Majestic Theatre, had become a dominant entertainment venue on Congress Avenue. Interstate soon after added two other Austin theatres, the Austin Theatre on South Congress Avenue and the Varsity Theatre near the University of Texas campus.
After the decline and dissolution of the Interstate chain, both the Paramount and State faced deterioration and possible demolition. Community preservation efforts in the 1970s restored the Paramount, while the State Theatre continued for a time as a lower-priced movie theatre before becoming largely vacant. Later attempts were made to revive the State as a live performance venue.
In 2000, the State Theatre was brought under joint management with the Paramount Theatre through the formation of the Austin Theatre Alliance, a nonprofit organization created to operate both neighboring Congress Avenue venues. The State Theatre continued to be used in the early twenty-first century despite a major flood in 2006. By the 2020s, the Austin Theatre Alliance owned and operated both theatres.
Programming and use
The State Theatre functions as the smaller venue in the Paramount and State Theatres complex. The Austin Theatre Alliance describes the State as a more intimate counterpart to the Paramount, with flexible seating and event configurations planned as part of its renovation. The two venues together present hundreds of shows each year, provide educational programming for more than 30,000 Central Texas students, produce the Moontower Comedy Festival, and host events connected with the Austin Film Festival and SXSW Film & TV Festival.
The State Theatre was also used for Austin comedy and festival programming, including showcases during the 1998 Big Stinkin' International Improv & Sketch Comedy Festival.
During the Paramount Theatre's planned 2026 restoration closure, some Paramount programming was scheduled to move to other Austin venues, including the State Theatre.
Restoration and renovation
In November 2025, the Austin Theatre Alliance announced Shine On, a $65 million campaign to restore the Paramount Theatre and renovate the State Theatre. The campaign included $55 million for design and construction and $10 million for an endowment, with $27 million reported as raised when the campaign was announced.
The State Theatre renovation was planned to begin after the Paramount Theatre restoration. The Austin American-Statesman described the project as a "total structural reimagining" of the State, preserving the building's Art Deco façade while redesigning the interior for flexible, intimate performances. The Austin Theatre Alliance stated that the renovation would remodel and reshape the interior in a style inspired by the Art Deco elements of the façade, add an elevator serving both the Paramount and State Theatres, and increase the State's capacity from about 300 seats to 435 traditional seats or up to 500 people in standing configurations. Plans also included a basement speakeasy, rooftop deck, additional concession areas, and improvements to the historic façade and marquee.
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