Wayne Theatre

521 W. Main Street,
Waynesboro, VA 22980

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Wayne Theatre (Official)

Additional Info

Previously operated by: R/C Theatres

Functions: Live Performances, Movies (Classic)

Styles: Neo-Georgian

Previous Names: New Star Theatre, Wayne Cinemas I & II

Phone Numbers: Box Office: 540.943.9999

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News About This Theater

Wayne Theatre

The New Star Theatre was built in 1925, opening in early 1926. It was a small town theatre presenting pays, vaudeville and movies, with an orchestra pit and organ. Converted to talking pictures in 1929. Major addition in 1949 to expand seating to 450 and modernized restrooms and concessions.

R/C Theatres divided into two screens in 1980. Closed and given to the City of Waynesboro in 1999. Wayne Theatre Alliance formed and is handling reuse and renovation/restoration. It had reopened by May 2017.

Contributed by Bill Hausrath

Recent comments (view all 15 comments)

kateymac01
kateymac01 on July 11, 2007 at 11:38 pm

This theater makes a little cameo in “Evan Almighty.”

kateymac01
kateymac01 on July 22, 2007 at 11:07 pm

Lost Memory: I am looking of that photo of the Wayne and wondering what’s been covered up by boards. Did that say “Cinema”?

Mike Rogers
Mike Rogers on August 2, 2011 at 6:26 pm

Nice looking theatre,thanks chuck.

bicyclereporter
bicyclereporter on December 23, 2012 at 7:20 pm

the marquee was zoomed in on in “Evan Almighty.”

thom5340
thom5340 on August 1, 2015 at 7:02 am

Great News!! Check out this link regarding the restoration of the Wayne Theatre:http://www.dailyprogress.com/newsvirginian/news/local/waynesboro-theatre-alliance-marks-renovation-milestone-with-topping-ceremony/article_9bad87f2-3714-11e5-9128-e3958bdab49b.htm

I would love to talk to anyone with information regarding the Pipe Organ that was installed there. Records indicate that it was a 1925 Link Pipe Organ.

Please contact me directly at

Thank-you!

thom5340
thom5340 on September 5, 2015 at 10:33 am

I FINALLY got a reply from The Wayne Theatre Alliance.

I offered them a FREE restored Theatre Pipe Organ to replace the original for the restoration project from a local donor and they did not respond. After several attempts, they finally replied and then refused the donation, but wanted the information regarding the size and space requirements as well as all the research I had gathered on the original Link Pipe Organ.

The Donor was rather upset since they didn’t reply to any of the emails or telephone calls. I would think a restoration of a silent movie theatre would include a Theatre Pipe Organ!

rivest266
rivest266 on June 1, 2017 at 3:50 pm

This opened on November 21st, 1980 as a twin cinema. Grand opening ad in the photo section.

rivest266
rivest266 on June 1, 2017 at 3:54 pm

This has been reopened according to its official website at http://waynetheatre.org/. Movies are shown during the summer.

SethG
SethG on February 21, 2023 at 12:02 pm

The June 1925 Sanborn shows this as the New Star, with a note ‘From Plans’, possibly not open yet? Schedule does include a few movies, but mostly plays.

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