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ImageThe State Theatre celebrated its one year anniversary under new management with a ribbon-cutting Wednesday. One year ago, The State Theatre of Ithaca, Inc., a 501c3 not-for-profit organization, purchased the Theatre from Historic Ithaca. A new business plan has been adopted to ensure a healthy future for theater. 

Over the past twelve months, many significant changes have been made at The State Theatre.   A new board of directors has been formed and a new Executive Director has been hired.  An innovative and sustainable business plan has been adopted to ensure a healthy future for this community treasure.

This re-tooled business model is a hybrid between a pure “presenting house” where the theatre assumes risk on all shows, and a pure “rental house” where all shows are presented by outside promoters.  Using the hybrid presenting/rental house model, The State Theatre of Ithaca, Inc. is focused on taking less risk which will result in more stable operations.

Many physical improvements have been made to the building as well. The ceiling under the marquee has been repaired, re-plastered and repainted and the entire front façade of the theatre has received a major facelift as well. This past January, major upgrades were completed to the stage and fly-gallery.  A $92,000 rigging project added 13 counterweight line sets to the existing system allowing greater programming options and a more professional production space.

The State Theatre of Ithaca is off to an unprecedented start for the 2009-10 season.  Two upcoming February performances (John Prine on Feb 17th and The Avett Brothers on Feb. 26th) have each sold out weeks in advance.  The State Theatre currently outperforms most theatres in the country by covering 78% of its operating budget from ticket sales versus the normal 50%. Most theatres have to rely on 50% of their operating revenue to come from donations and grants. The State already performs better than 95% of theatres in the United States.

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