Welcome to the historic Wayne Theatre / Ross Performing Arts Center, Waynesboro’s premier live entertainment performance venue in which all of the arts may be appreciated, enjoyed, learned and supported.
Mission Statement
The Wayne Theatre Alliance promotes the artistic, cultural, and educational opportunities and the economic vitality of Waynesboro and adjacent region through the operation and preservation of the Ross Performing Arts Center at the historic Wayne Theatre as a performing arts/conference facility.
Wayne Theatre Standards of Practice
The Wayne Theatre is dedicated to supporting, fostering, and encouraging a collaborative, inclusive, consent-based theatre community.
★ We will provide a safe space filled with respect and mindful attention to all creators and audience members. We will attempt to make any changes necessary to ensure they feel safe.
★ We will create a consent-based space. We will not engage physically with a creative collaborator without verbal consent.
★ We will break down the power dynamics often found in the rehearsal room, encouraging actors to advocate for their own mental and physical well-being.
★ We will not use harassing language that is cruel or that creates discomfort.
★ We will provide a safe space for creators and audience members to tell their stories.
★ We will listen and provide a safe space for others to tell us if they feel uncomfortable in any way.
★ We will create inclusive and accessible environments for all creatives and audience members.
★ We will engage in thoughtful conversation that pushes our work forward
★ We will suspend the need for recognition for the benefit of the ensemble.
★ We will not suffer for our art.
The Wayne Theatre Safety Statement
Everyone has the right to participate in an environment that is physically and emotionally safe.
The Wayne Theatre is committed to providing a safe and comfortable space for artists to gather and create. We are fiercely committed to ensuring that the work environment both on and off stage is free from harassment and bullying.
Every person who comes through our doors has the right to fair treatment and respect. All members of the creative team, crew, cast, and staff are held to the highest standards. Behavior should always be respectful and mindful. The Wayne Theatre responds promptly to all complaints. No inappropriate behavior, harassment, or bullying will be tolerated.
Diversity and Inclusion Statement
The Wayne Theatre is dedicated to supporting, fostering, and encouraging an inclusive, consent-based theatre community. To that end, the Wayne understands the importance of ensuring that our organization is a safe space for all, regardless of identity, race, faith, abilities, gender and background. As such the Wayne puts people first. We are devoting time, energy, and resources to support diversity, equity and inclusion in our organization. We are committed to improving and increasing the cultural diversity, equity and inclusion of our audiences, staff, artists, board, and programming. Our primary aim is to intentionally identify and eliminate systemic practices that could be exclusionary to staff, artists, and patrons in order to ensure that the Wayne is a safe space filled with respect, mindful attention to all and a furthering of the arts in our community.
History
The Wayne Theatre has had quite a history of making an impact on our community since it first opened its doors as a vaudeville house in 1926.
The Wayne’s restoration and re-opening in 2016 was fueled by a handful of community members who had the vision of what the Wayne could mean to the community. We like to say that the restoration of the theatre was done by the community, for the community and ultimately is being given back to the community. The dream was that when the restoration was complete, the theatre would be a gift to the community where all ages could come together to be educated, enriched, enlightened and enchanted.
Thus far, we have had patrons from 33 states and numerous countries. We are the first theatre experience for many students, and to date, more than 14,000 students have come through our doors for an Arts Education program. Our Arts Education program offers performances for Pre-K through adults and encourages our community to be life-long learners.
The Wayne opened on January 18, 1926, with plans to be a vaudeville/movie house. It advertised itself as the “finest theatre in the Shenandoah Valley.” It had an orchestra pit with organ, and a small “Wayne Orchestra” entertained the audience before the program.
● In 1929, the Wayne installed a “talking machine” by RCA which allowed the Wayne to show talkies.
● In 1949, the boom times in Waynesboro led to expansion of the Wayne and the removal of nearly all of the original elements.
● In 1980, a fire gutted the Wayne and the owners converted it into a twin cinema.
● In 1999, the owners closed the theatre and deeded the structure to the city of Waynesboro.
● In 2000, to prevent the demolishing of the Wayne, a group of citizens incorporated the Wayne Theatre Alliance as a 501 (c) 3 with the goal of renovating the theatre.
● On March 1, 2016, the Wayne Theatre, historically restored, artistically updated and technologically current, opened to the public as a performing arts center.
● In 2019 the Wayne team renamed education programs to “Studio Wayne” and purchased the final building on the block to expand the Wayne campus.
● April 1, 2020 the Wayne team launched a virtual format and installed a state-of-the-art VMIX system to bring quality performances to home everywhere.
● In 2022, created a permanent home for Studio Wayne at 535 W. Main Street and begin revitalizing the 531 MainStreet Building.
In 1949, the boom times in Waynesboro led to expansion of the Wayne and the removal of nearly all of the original elements.
In 2000, to prevent the demolishing of the Wayne, a group of citizens incorporated the Wayne Theatre Alliance as a 501 (c) 3 with the goal of renovating the theatre.
On March 1, 2016, the Wayne Theatre, historically restored, artistically updated and technologically current, opened to the public as a performing arts center.
In 2022, created a permanent home for Studio Wayne at 535 W. Main Street and begin revitalizing the 531 MainStreet Building.
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