The North Theatre is a restored facility showing classic
movies and presenting all types of theatrical productions.
The theatre originally opened in February of 1947 as
Danville, Virginia's finest movie and vaudeville house.
Unfortunately for the owner, Mr. Leonard Lea, TV hit
about the time of opening and he never had a vaudeville
performance. The theatre remained open until mid 1976.
After that time it was an auction house, a number of
different churches, and, finally from 1990 to 2003 Carolyn's
House of Flowers.
In mid 2003 a group was formed who purchased the theatre,
a former restaurant next-door, with residence on the
second floor, and a third building next to the restaurant,
which had been a two story residence.
The theatre building was in fairly good shape requiring
modernization of power, heat and AC. All theatre items,
screen, projectors, sound systems were either gone or
of such an early vintage they needed to be replaced.
The theatre was completely remodeled, adding two new
35mm projectors, a true digital projector, two sound
systems, one surround sound for movies and a second
for theatrical productions. The stage, originally 42
feet wide by 18 feet deep was enlarged to 42 feet wide
by 38 feet deep. A Hofend Vortex stage rigging system
was installed. The Vortex is the very latest and the
very best available computer controlled stage-rigging
system. Refurbished seats were installed which are wider
than the original and additional space was provided
between rows for added comfort. We went from 608 seats
to 488 seats, 372 on the first floor and 116 in the
balcony. The balcony level has a beautiful bar and commons
area for pre and post show receptions and other events.
To top off the quality of the theatrical presentations
we have purchased a Steinway Model D 9 foot Concert
Grand Piano. An annual National Piano Competition will
be initiated in the fall of 2005.
The third floor of the theatre building was and still
is a three-bedroom apartment. The apartment will be
available to performers while working at the theatre.
The lowest level of the theatre building, at ground
level, was transformed from a wide open room with no
particular intended use, to dressing rooms, showers,
makeup rooms, set and costume construction rooms and
some equipment storage. There is also a Green Room on
the lower level. All of these facilities are arranged
for the performers comfort.
The restaurant, was at the time of purchase, a church
with the old greasy grill still in place along one wall.
It has been completely modernized and a lessee will
be opening a full service restaurant in April 2005.
The residence above the restaurant has been transformed
into a large open art gallery. It is connected through
an open passageway directly to the theatre balcony level.
The gallery and the theatre bar and commons make for
a wonderfully open and flowing reception facility.
The third building, formerly with residences on each
of the two levels, has been transformed into offices
for rent on the first floor and a two bedroom apartment
as additional space for performers to reside in while
performing at the theater.
The opening event will be The Heath Brothers Jazz Quartet,
a presentation in conjunction with the National Endowment
for the Arts, NIA. The event will take place February
25, 2005 and was sold out by February 1, 2005.