The Auburn Schine Theater has a proud role in the history of America’s golden age of movie exhibition. The theater was built in 1938 as part of the Schine Theater Chain, the largest independent circuit in the country at the time.

The Schine brothers, J. Myer and Louis W., commissioned noted theater architect John Eberson - often called the Frank Lloyd Wright of theater architecture - to design a distinctive theater for Auburn. Early Eberson works include some stunning classical palace designs. When art deco came into fashion, he embraced the style wholeheartedly, creating some ultra-modern theaters of chrome and asymmetrical design. Eberson is known for his extensive work with atmospheric theaters. Although he did not create the style, he is credited for popularizing the decor in theaters all across the country. Atmospheric interiors were designed to recreate a specific time and place. The most often used theme was the outdoor garden, although medieval castles and Roman palaces were frequently used as well.

The Schine brothers wanted a spectacular and unique theater for Auburn. Eberson fused the art deco and atmospheric styles and concocted a wondrous creation. Playing upon the 1938 World’s Fair’s emphasis on the future, Eberson’s Auburn looked to the next frontier, outerspace. A wholly unique outerspace atmospheric was unveiled to the public on September 15, 1938.

The foyer and lobby light fixtures were shaped like shooting stars and comets. The concession stand was low and sleek, accented with loads of chrome. Eberson made abundant use of vivid colors: the requisite Schine red mixed with canary yellow, mauve, chartreuse, turquoise in running bands and stripes on the ceiling.

In the auditorium, stars and planets floated in the deep space sky. In fact, all the walls had a three dimensional appearance due to the use of a mottling technique which layered, then rag rolled, midnight blue and deep purple to achieve the desired effect. The ceiling was uniquely shaped in a scalloped shell design that moved in tiers to the balcony area. The matching chandeliers on either side of the auditorium were an impressive sight. Opal multicolored glass formed the huge star shape from which double comet tails arched gracefully from each side of the star. The tails were actually deep coves in the plaster sky, softly back lit for a dramatic effect.

Auburn and the surrounding area flocked to the theater for many years of enjoyment. After the breakup of the Schine Theater Chain in 1965, a succession of owners came and went, each taking less care of the treasure than the last. The Schine’s days as a movie theater ended in April 1979. Thereafter the building housed a bar for awhile, then a video store. In 1992 the video store closed and the building stood vacant. Interior deterioration was swift due to a gaping hole in the auditoriumâs roof. Harsh upstate New York winters ravaged the building, while thousands of pigeons found a cozy shelter.

A comprehensive feasibility sturdy was commissioned by the Auburn Industrial Authority in 1993. It concluded that the theater could be a viable attraction and a valuable resource for the city and the county. Various attempts were made to organize a solid, cohesive effort to reuse the theater. In February 1998 the Cayuga County Arts Council purchased the building and the efforts began in earnest. In October 1998 the theater roof was finally replaced, the pigeons were evicted and now interior work can begin.

The arts council is committed to preserving the design and decor of the 1938 theater. The four walls will retain the whimsical style created by Eberson. The balcony will remain intact and the theater will once again have an orchestra pit.

Diversity of programming will ensure a profitable future for the Auburn Schine theater, as well as the opportunity for everyone in the community to enjoy a wide variety of events. Plays, concerts, family events, film festivals; the possibilities are endless.

Questions or comments can be directed to the Cayuga County Arts Council.