Virginia Theatre
Historic movie and live-performance theatre in downtown Champaign, Illinois.
Last updated August 26, 2026
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Overview
Virginia Theatre is a historic movie and live-performance venue in downtown Champaign, Illinois, serving the wider Champaign-Urbana community. The theatre opened on December 28, 1921, with a live production of The Bat; the following evening, it presented the silent films Tol'able David and The Boat. From its beginning, the venue combined stage entertainment and motion pictures rather than operating solely as a cinema. Its programming has included theatrical productions, vaudeville, concerts, touring musicians, comedians, classic films, and other community events. The building remained an important local entertainment venue throughout the twentieth century, although ownership changed several times. RKO Pictures controlled it from the 1930s through the 1960s. It was later owned by the George Kerasotes Corporation, also known as GKC Theatres. In the 1990s, a nonprofit Virginia Theater Group was formed to acquire the property. The Champaign Park District purchased the theatre in January 2000 and has since overseen its operation, preservation, and restoration. A substantial restoration program began around the time of the Park District acquisition. In December 1999, the Park District received a $900,000 State of Illinois grant for rehabilitation. The work addressed building-code and infrastructure requirements as well as public-facing improvements. The theatre's long-standing curved screen was replaced in 2000 with a smaller, approximately 50-foot-wide screen that could be flown offstage, allowing the building to support both cinema and live events. Additional restrooms were completed in 2001, while the box office, dressing rooms, and carpeting were improved during 2002 and 2003. Further lobby and storefront work followed in 2007 and 2010. The original deteriorated 1930s neon marquee was removed in November 2010 and replaced with a redesigned marquee in September 2011, a change that generated opposition from some local residents and preservation advocates. The theatre also preserves a 1921 Wurlitzer theatre pipe organ originally installed to accompany silent films. The two-keyboard, eight-rank instrument was removed in December 2010 by Buzard Pipe Organ Builders of Champaign for renovation and returned to the building in fall 2011. Virginia Theatre is particularly associated with Ebertfest, the film festival founded by Chicago Sun-Times critic Roger Ebert and presented by the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign College of Media. First held in 1999 as Roger Ebert's Overlooked Film Festival, the event showcased overlooked, under-recognized, or otherwise notable films and developed a strong connection with the venue. The festival was not held at the theatre in 2020 or 2021. In September 2025, organizers announced that the 2025 edition was the final Ebertfest in Champaign, citing financial considerations while leaving open the possibility of a future reimagining. The venue has also hosted the Champaign-Urbana Theatre Company, which performed there from 1992 through 2010 and returned in 2016, as well as That's What She Said, an annual presentation by The She Said Project that began at the theatre in 2015 and features local women's stories. The building was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2003 for its role in regional entertainment, especially from 1921 to 1953, and for the preservation and integrity of its early- and mid-twentieth-century architectural and interior character.
History
Virginia Theatre opened in downtown Champaign on December 28, 1921. Its inaugural program was a live stage performance of The Bat, followed on the next evening by the silent films Tol'able David and The Boat. This opening established the venue's enduring hybrid identity: it was designed to accommodate both theatrical presentation and cinema. During the decades that followed, the theatre hosted motion pictures, vaudeville, concerts, plays, and other forms of popular entertainment for Champaign and nearby Urbana. Ownership changed over the course of the twentieth century. RKO Pictures owned the property from the 1930s through the 1960s. George Kerasotes Corporation, commonly associated with GKC Theatres, subsequently controlled the building. During the 1990s, a nonprofit Virginia Theater Group was organized to acquire the theatre and preserve it as a community cultural venue. The Champaign Park District ultimately purchased the building in January 2000. The acquisition was accompanied by a large-scale restoration effort. In December 1999, the Park District received a $900,000 grant from the State of Illinois. Much of the rehabilitation involved infrastructure and code compliance that was not visible to audiences, while other projects improved the theatre's public areas and stage functions. In 2000, the long-used curved screen was replaced by a smaller screen with an approximately 50-foot-wide viewable image. The new screen could be flown offstage, preserving flexibility for live performances. Additional restrooms were completed in 2001, and work on the box office, dressing rooms, and carpeting took place during 2002 and 2003. The east lobby and storefront were remodeled in 2007. Main-lobby and concession renovations followed in 2010, supported by a substantial donation from Michael Carragher. The restoration period also included work on the building's historic theatre organ. The Rudolph Wurlitzer Company had installed a two-keyboard, eight-rank pipe organ in 1921 to accompany silent-film screenings. Buzard Pipe Organ Builders of Champaign removed the instrument in December 2010 for renovation and reinstalled it in fall 2011. The 1930s-era neon marquee, which had deteriorated, was removed on November 16, 2010, and replaced with a newly designed marquee in September 2011. The replacement was controversial locally because some residents and historic-preservation supporters preferred retaining the older sign. Virginia Theatre received National Register of Historic Places recognition in 2003. The designation emphasized the building's importance as a source of entertainment for Champaign and the surrounding region, particularly during the period from 1921 through 1953. It also recognized the extent to which the building retained its early- and mid-twentieth-century form and character. Programming continues to span film and live performance. The theatre presents classic films on a regular basis and operates as a venue for touring musical acts, comedians, theatrical companies, and community events. The Champaign-Urbana Theatre Company used the theatre from 1992 through 2010 and returned in 2016. Since 2015, That's What She Said, an annual event produced by The She Said Project, has presented stories by local women. The venue's most prominent modern association is Ebertfest. The festival began in 1999 as Roger Ebert's Overlooked Film Festival and was founded by film critic Roger Ebert in partnership with the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign College of Media. It brought lesser-known and overlooked films, as well as selected popular titles, to the theatre each year. The festival was paused at the venue in 2020 and 2021. After the 2025 edition, organizers announced that it would be the final Ebertfest in Champaign, citing financial considerations while saying that possible future versions or reinventions were under discussion. Following Ebert's death in 2013, a fundraising effort supported a life-size bronze statue of him. Selected by his wife Chaz Ebert, the sculpture depicts Ebert seated among three theatre seats and giving his characteristic thumbs-up gesture; it was unveiled during the 2014 festival outside Virginia Theatre.
- 2025
Final Ebertfest in Champaign announced
[1]Organizers identified the 2025 edition as the final Ebertfest held in Champaign, citing financial considerations.
- 2015
That's What She Said begins at the theatre
[1]The annual She Said Project event began presenting local women's stories at Virginia Theatre.
- 2014
Roger Ebert statue unveiled
[1]A bronze statue honoring Roger Ebert was unveiled outside the theatre during Ebertfest.
- 2011
Marquee and Wurlitzer restoration completed
[1]The theatre installed a new marquee and returned its renovated Wurlitzer pipe organ to service.
- 2003
National Register listing
[1]Virginia Theatre was listed on the National Register of Historic Places for its entertainment history and preserved architectural character.
- 2000
Champaign Park District acquires the theatre
[1]The Park District purchased Virginia Theatre and assumed responsibility for its preservation and operation.
- 1999
Restoration grant awarded and Ebertfest launched
[1]The Park District received a $900,000 state restoration grant, while the first edition of Roger Ebert's Overlooked Film Festival took place at the theatre.
- 1992
Champaign-Urbana Theatre Company begins its long association
[1]The Champaign-Urbana Theatre Company began presenting plays at the venue, continuing through 2010 and returning in 2016.
- 1921
Virginia Theatre opens
[1]The theatre opened on December 28 with a live performance of The Bat and began film screenings the following night.
Products and positioning
A historic, community-oriented entertainment venue that combines repertory and classic cinema with live theatre, music, comedy, festivals, and civic cultural programming.
Cinema programming
Classic-film screenings
Virginia Theatre regularly presents classic and repertory films, including screenings from film reels. These programs maintain the venue's original cinema function while using its historic auditorium and wide screen for recurring public showings.
Performing arts · 1921
Live theatre productions
The venue accommodates plays and theatrical productions by local and visiting acting groups. Its stage configuration, dressing rooms, and flyable screen allow the building to shift between film presentation and live performance.
Live entertainment
Concerts and comedy
Virginia Theatre serves as a touring venue for musical acts and comedians, extending its programming beyond cinema and community theatre.
Film festival · 1999
Ebertfest
Ebertfest was a recurring film festival founded by Roger Ebert and presented with the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign College of Media. It began in 1999 as Roger Ebert's Overlooked Film Festival and featured overlooked, lesser-known, and selected popular films. The 2025 edition was announced as the final festival in Champaign.
Historic organ · 1921
Wurlitzer theatre pipe organ
Installed by the Rudolph Wurlitzer Company in 1921, the two-keyboard, eight-rank organ originally accompanied silent films. It underwent renovation in 2010–2011 and was reinstalled in fall 2011.
Marketing campaigns
- 2015That's What She Said
Champaign-Urbana, United States
The She Said Project's annual storytelling presentation brought local women's experiences and perspectives to the Virginia Theatre stage.
Outcome. The event became a recurring part of the venue's community programming.
- 1999Roger Ebert's Overlooked Film Festival
Champaign-Urbana, United States
The inaugural edition of the festival later known as Ebertfest used Virginia Theatre as its home and focused on films that had been overlooked or under-recognized.
Outcome. The festival became a recurring annual cultural event at the theatre, with festival passes reportedly selling out well in advance during its run.
Brand decisions
2025
Ebertfest's Champaign run discontinuedStrategyBackground
Organizers cited financial considerations after the 2025 edition.
Action taken
They announced that the 2025 event would be the final Ebertfest held in Champaign while exploring possible future forms of the festival.
Aftermath
The future location or format of Ebertfest remained unsettled in the available reference material.
2011
Historic marquee replacedStrategyBackground
The original 1930s-era neon marquee had deteriorated and required replacement.
Action taken
The old marquee was removed in November 2010 and replaced by a newly designed marquee in September 2011.
Aftermath
The replacement generated opposition from some community members and historic-preservation advocates concerned about the loss of the older sign.
2010
Wurlitzer organ removed for restorationOtherBackground
The historic theatre organ required renovation after decades of use.
Action taken
Buzard Pipe Organ Builders removed the organ in December 2010 for restoration.
Aftermath
The instrument was reinstalled in fall 2011 as part of the theatre's preservation program.
2000
Champaign Park District acquires Virginia TheatreM&ABackground
After periods of private and nonprofit ownership, the theatre required a stable preservation and operating structure.
Action taken
The Champaign Park District purchased the building in January 2000.
Aftermath
The acquisition enabled the Park District to manage a broad restoration program and continue the theatre as a public cultural venue.
2000
Cinema screen redesigned for mixed-use programmingGeneration changeBackground
The theatre needed to support both film screenings and live stage events during its restoration.
Action taken
The long-standing curved screen was replaced with a smaller, approximately 50-foot-wide screen that could be flown offstage.
Aftermath
The auditorium retained cinema capability while gaining greater flexibility for concerts, theatre, and other live events.
Recent events
- 2025
Ebertfest announces final Champaign edition[1]
Other
Organizers announced that the 2025 festival would be the final Ebertfest held in Champaign, citing financial considerations and indicating that future forms of the festival were being explored.
- 2011
Historic marquee is replaced[1]
Other
A redesigned marquee replaced the deteriorated 1930s neon sign after the original was removed in November 2010. The change drew criticism from some community members and preservation advocates.
- 2003
Virginia Theatre is added to the National Register of Historic Places[1]
Other
The building received historic recognition for its cultural role in Champaign and the preservation of its early- and mid-twentieth-century character.
- 2000
Champaign Park District purchases Virginia Theatre[1]
M&A
The Champaign Park District acquired the theatre after earlier ownership by RKO Pictures, GKC Theatres, and a nonprofit Virginia Theater Group.
- 1999
Virginia Theatre receives major restoration support[1]
Other
The Champaign Park District received a State of Illinois grant to support extensive rehabilitation and code-related work at the theatre.
- 1921
Virginia Theatre opens with stage production and silent films[1]
Other
The newly opened theatre began operations with a live presentation of The Bat, followed the next night by screenings of Tol'able David and The Boat.
Sources2 sources
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