Auburn State Theatre Looking at Possible Expansion
At this stage of the ongoing Theatre Restoration process, Auburn State Theatre (AST) has a unique opportunity to reconfigure the building to better serve future generations. The temporary pause in use of the auditorium is an ideal time to execute long-planned upgrades to restrooms and accessibility; this work will begin in March. Completing these projects will necessitate significant redesign that will bring our historic Theatre back, better than ever!
Long-time area residents remember when the Theatre included a balcony. Discussions with our project manager and architect indicate that installing 2nd level seating is now an exciting possibility! If realized, a new mezzanine would allow for more seating, which in turn would allow Auburn State Theatre to present larger shows and more well-known artists to our community.
Auburn State Theatre (AST) has engaged respected industry consultants, TheatreDNA, to conduct a feasibility study for the potential expansion of the Theatre. TheatreDNA specializes in the planning and design of performance venues and has contributed to the development of over 350 performing arts facilities throughout the world. The feasibility study aims to provide guidance on AST’s evolution in presenting the Arts, entertainment and cultural experiences, and to evaluate the viability of possible expansion.
TheatreDNA has begun its work through interviews with local arts and civic leaders. AST’s leadership has toured numerous arts venues and sought ideas from our non-profit peers in the League of Historic American Theatres.
Now, Auburn State Theatre wants to hear from you, our audience. AST is always mindful that this beloved, 95-year-old community treasure is here because of, and for, YOU! Would you please help us by taking a brief survey? Here’s the link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/AuburnStateTheatre. If your friends, relatives, kids and grandkids enjoy live entertainment – concerts of all types, plays, musicals and talks – please forward the link to them so that they can also have a say. AST’s goal is to present “something for everyone” for decades to come.
The results of this study will help Auburn State Theatre in making decisions affecting the future of our beautiful community Theatre. Thank you for being a part of Auburn State Theatre’s future, we appreciate YOU!
Colleen M. Carberry Sands
Executive Director
Many Thanks to our generous community partners for hosting events while the Theatre is under reconstruction
On Stage • On Screen
AST and STAC Present
Grave Mistakes: A Haunted Rom-Com
Sponsored by Randy & Cheryl Maki, Dean Prigmore & Patrice Taylor, Old Town Pizza, Anonymous, Debra Oldziewski, Chapel of the Hills and Tim & Colleen Sands
The State Theatre Acting Company is honored to premiere the first Northern California production of playwright Ben Abbott’s comedy Grave Mistakes: A Haunted Rom-Com.
Ray and Molly are trying to fend off their landlord and a paranormal investigator who want to turn their work attic into a certified haunted vacation rental. But is it? And as Molly writes her latest novel is she in love with her editor, Ray, and he with her, and can’t they just admit it for crying out loud?
A special VIP Reception featuring a Q&A session with playwright Ben Abbott, director Rick Schlussel, and the cast follows the March 15th performance. The VIP ticket includes admission to the play and the reception, plus a specialty cocktail.
Running time: 2h 30m
Fri, March 14, 2025
7:30 PM
Sat, March 15, 2025
7:30 PM
Sun, March 16, 2025
2:00 PM
Location— Odd Fellows Lodge #7, 1226½ Lincoln Way in Auburn
Tickets:
$30 (includes $4 fee)
VIP Reception $40
(includes $4 fee, admission to the play and the reception, plus a specialty cocktail)
Buy Tickets
Cinema at the State Presents
Footloose (1984)
Sponsored by and Fundraiser for The Hillmen Foundation
When teenager Ren McCormack (Kevin Bacon) and his family move from big-city Chicago to a small town in the West, he's in for a real case of culture shock after discovering he's living in a place where music and dancing are illegal.
Running time: 1h 47m
Thurs,
March 20, 2025
7:00 PM
Location— Odd Fellows Lodge #7, 1226½ Lincoln Way in Auburn
Tickets: $15 Adults, $10 Seniors and Kids under 12 ($2 fees included)
Buy Tickets
On Stage from the State Presents
Muriel Anderson
Sponsored by Mary Ann Flemmer Arts & Environment Fund at Placer Community Foundation and Dean Prigmore & Patrice Taylor
As part of the 2025 Acoustic Guitar Series, Muriel Anderson brings her virtuosity of the 20-string harp-guitar along with uplifting songs, melodies and gentle humor that leave her audience smiling. Muriel is celebrating the release of SAILING DREAMS, inspired by a sailing trip from New York to Maine. This multimedia show brings you on a seafaring tour of images and music with a backdrop of stunning visuals by photo-artist Bryan Allen.
“Just one hell of a great player.” — Les Paul.
Running time: 2.5h with Intermission
Sun, April 6, 2025
3:00 PM
Location— Odd Fellows Lodge #7, 1226½ Lincoln Way in Auburn
Tickets: $30 General
(includes $6 fee)
Buy Tickets
Cinema at the State Presents
UTAMA
Sponsored by Dean Prigmore & Patrice Taylor
An elderly Quechua couple live a tranquil life in the arid Bolivian highlands. The search for water, a health crisis, and a city-born grandson's pressure to abandon their ranch and way of life converge in this moving drama of devotion and survival. 2022 Sundance Film Festival Grand Prize Winner - World Cinema Dramatic.
Running time: 1h 27m
Thurs,
April 10, 2025
7:00 PM
Location— Odd Fellows Lodge #7, 1226½ Lincoln Way in Auburn
Tickets: $12 Adults, $10 Seniors and Kids under 12 ($2 fees included)
Buy Tickets
Cinema at the State Presents
Giants Rising
Sponsored by Edward Jones/Office of Mark Mishler and Keali'i Forsberg
Through the stories of those on the frontlines of efforts to understand and safeguard redwoods, the film reveals the mysterious inner-workings of these majestic trees – celebrating the wonders of America's most iconic forests and underscoring all that’s at stake. The goal of Giants Rising is not only to celebrate the marvels of redwoods and all they do for us, but to recognize what we can do for them to ensure they continue rising up for generations to come.
Running time: 1h 20m
Thurs,
April 24, 2025
7:00 PM
Location— Odd Fellows Lodge #7, 1226½ Lincoln Way in Auburn
Tickets: $12 Adults, $10 Seniors and Kids under 12 ($2 fees included)
Buy Tickets
Cinema at the State Presents
Hard Miles
Sponsored by Auburn Trails Alliance
A strong-willed cycling coach and youth care worker (Matthew Modine) at a youth correctional facility assembles an unlikely cycling team of juvenile convicts for a transformative 1,000-mile bike ride from Denver to the Grand Canyon. Inspired by the life of Greg Townsend and the Ridgeview Academy cycling team. This is the story of how these troubled young men found another gear.
Running time: 1h 48m
Thurs,
May 15, 2025
7:00 PM
Location— Odd Fellows Lodge #7, 1226½ Lincoln Way in Auburn
Tickets: $15 Adults, $10 Seniors and Kids under 12 ($2 fees included)
Buy Tickets
AST Presents
Cocktails & Cinema 2025 Moonlight on the Bayou
The steamy heat of the Bayou meets Auburn’s hottest Street Party of the year! All to benefit the historic State
Theatre restoration project.
Enjoy local food specialties, theme cocktails, beer, wine and, of course, dancing. Live Entertainment Featuring
Tom Rigney & Flambeau, sponsored by
Placer Community Foundation.
All proceeds support essential Theatre repairs and enhancements.
We have exciting Sponsorship options available for this event! Contact Crystal at CDeck@AuburnStateTheatre.org or 530-885-0156 for more details.
Sat, June 7, 2025
6:00–10:00 PM
Tickets: $100 per person
Available Soon!
The Rhythm Riders Present
Johnny Cash & Patsy Cline Tribute
Featuring Johnny & Dee Price
A benefit for Auburn State Theatre
Audience favorites “The Rhythm Riders” bring their popular Johnny Cash & Patsy Cline Tribute show to Placer High School’s auditorium as a benefit for Auburn State Theatre’s Restoration Project. Country music fans will enjoy an evening of Cash and Cline’s greatest hits, including “Big River,” “Crazy” and “Wreck of the Old 97” performed by top-level musicians with love and authenticity. A special treat will be a selection of beloved songs by Outlaw Country stars, including Merle Haggard, Waylon Jennings and more.
Johnny Price is the embodiment of Johnny Cash, with his deep baritone voice and warm stage presence. His uncanny vocal and physical resemblance to Johnny Cash has delighted audiences from California to Ireland. Johnny captures Cash’s ability to deliver a story and a melody so well, his audiences feel as though they have had a walk with the Man In Black himself.
Running time: 2h 30m with Intermission
Sat,
June 14, 2025
7:00 PM
Location— Placer High School Theater, High & Agard Streets in Auburn
Reserved Seating: $60
(includes $5 fee)
Buy Tickets
On Stage from the State Presents
RIVVRS
Sponsored by Mary Ann Flemmer Arts & Environment Fund at Placer Community Foundation
An exciting addition to our 2025 Acoustic Guitar series, singer-songwriter RIVVRS shares songs from his newest release, “Sunlight of the Spirit.” With this album, RIVVRS returns to his Americana roots with a straightforward and honest collection of songs about his journey through addiction, recovery and spiritual discovery.
“Through compelling songs and charismatic performances, RIVVRS radiates an endearing and optimistic vision; his music connects the authenticity of Folk & Americana with the accessibility of pop.”—Blue Note Napa
Running time: 2h with Intermission
Sun,
July 20, 2025
3:00 PM
Location— Odd Fellows Lodge #7, 1226½ Lincoln Way in Auburn