Venue View: Allison Weiland
By Allison Weiland
Executive Director
Sioux Falls Theatre
For this summer issue we felt it was appropriate to have the executive director of one of the most high-profile renovation projects in our community—which happens to be deeply rooted in the entertainment space—weigh in on what the community can look forward to when the historic Sioux Falls State Theatre reopens its doors. Here’s what she said are 10 reasons to be excited about the State:
1. It’s Going to Be a Movie Theatre
After many years of trying to get this thing rolling, it’s finally going to happen. There has been talk about making this place a concert venue, a wedding venue, an accounting office, a roller skating rink, a parking lot or… well here’s an idea—how about a movie theatre? Yes, a movie theatre that shows new movies as well as classics, cult-classics, art films and all those films we see nominated at the Oscars that we’ve never heard of.
2. A Restored Historic Auditorium
Over the years, the State Theatre has seen the same fate as your aunt’s historic, Victorian living room. The fireplace was covered up with a brown plywood shelf, the intricate ceiling was replaced by a white popcorn ceiling and the hard-wood floors were replaced by dull, brown carpeting. Well, we ripped all that stuff down and took it back to its original glory. I’m talking original glory—you will not believe it.
3. We’re Going to Have Recliners
There were just a few things that we didn’t want to restore to their original glory—the seats. I know grandpa didn’t mind sitting in a car-seat-sized seat while being elbowed on both sides, but grandpa didn’t have a La-Z-Boy and Netflix in his basement. So we’re putting in 150 recliners on the main floor. We’re not joking around—this is going to be an experience!
4. There Will Be Wine and Beer
I remember the first time I went to a movie theatre that offered beer and wine I thought it was the greatest idea of all time. It is the greatest idea of all time. Like you don’t drink beer and wine at home when you’re watching movies? But don’t worry—we won’t be offering fish-bowls and beer-buckets during our Sunday matinees.
5. We Have the Best-of-the-Best Technology
Well, I should say there are a couple things we didn’t restore to their original glory. We won’t be using the original projector at the State Theatre or the original sound system. We have state-of-the-art stuff here. Get ready for your eyes and ears to feast on beautiful, cinematic imagery and sound, compliments of our 4K LASER projector and Meyer’s Sound system.
6. There Will Be Previews
Okay, there’s nothing special about the State Theatre having previews. I just love previews. I love that guy’s deep voice or that English woman they use sometimes talking over that scary orchestral music. It’s also the best time to recline, grab your Red Vines and grab your date’s shoulder and say (way too loudly), “Oh, we have to see that!”
7. There Will Be Classics
There are so many classics that we need to see. And I know you’ve tried, and I’ve tried too, but it’s just not the same watching It’s a Wonderful Life in your uncle’s basement on his 27-inch TV with his 1997 VCR. We need to see them on the big screen! And now we can! (I’m so excited!)
8. It’s Downtown
Our downtown rocks—there is no denying that, and the State Theatre is just going to make it better! Just imagine going to see the falls, eating at a great downtown restaurant, walking through our quaint downtown, taking a selfie under our dazzling marquee and arriving at your plush recliner. And you can do this any night of the week!
9. Creating Memories
You’ve heard older generations talk about the first time they saw a particular movie and they took their date to the local downtown theatre. Or maybe you’ve heard people actually say what movie they remember seeing at the State Theatre. The movie theatre itself helped create those memories. That’s what we’re going to do.
10. The Future
This project is more than a movie theatre. It’s about instilling a sense of pride in our community’s history and sustaining its future. It’s about investing our resources into a space that we know will bring everyone from our community together. It’s about setting up a place we know we can bring our children and grandchildren to and show them our favorite movie from the 1990s—Billy Madison.