In 1938, the State Theatre charged 35 cents to see a film.

Today, almost 70 years later, the theatre is in the middle of a $3.6 million reconstruction project, scheduled to be completed in August 2006, that project coordinators hope will help reinvigorate arts in downtown State College.

President of State Theatre Inc. Mike Negra said that when the theatre, 128 W. College Ave., reopens, an audience member's experience now and before construction began will be as different as "night and day."

Negra said before the restoration effort began in 2001, it was a dark, dingy space with a poor audio system. "You saw one movie, but you heard two," he said. "It wasn't a pleasant film experience."

In addition to the cinematic showings, the new State Theatre will be used as a venue for a variety of other performances, including everything from the Pennsylvania Centre Chamber Orchestra to local comedians.

Negra said although the new theatre will be a performing arts center, movies will still be shown. However, the movies will only include independent films, documentaries, retrospectives and foreign films.

"There is an incredible amount of varied opportunities at the State Theatre," Negra said.

The new theatre's design will also complement the space's increased uses. Jason Adolff, the project's lead designer, said a new stage will bring performers closer to the audience, and enhanced acoustics, new sound and new lighting systems will support a wide variety of performance types. Audience members will experience new, reconfigured seating, which Adolff said would feel much more intimate.

"When complete, the State Theatre will become an important cultural resource for the community of State College," Adolff said.

Downtown Improvement District Director Teresa Sparacino said she believes the redesigned State Theatre will foster community involvement and help create a theater district in State College.

The theater district will include the State Theatre, the Penn State Downtown Theatre Center and a proposed cinema, also to be located downtown.

The State Theatre is forecasted to eventually showcase 285 nights of entertainment a year, which will make it "one of the more important pieces of the theater district," Sparacino said.

Sparacino also said it will bring the community together and extend into surrounding areas. "The renovated State Theatre will provide quality entertainment, and it's important for the Centre region," she said. "It enriches the quality of life for every resident, young and old."