MAJESTIC THEATRE

Gettysburg, PA

FEASIBILITY STUDY AND PROPOSED BUILDING PROGRAM

Built in 1925, the Majestic is a 1,000-seat theatre that has been operating as a commercial first-run film house with three screens since the 1970s. The theatre was acquired by Gettysburg College in order to restore the theatre to its original purpose and develop a performing arts centre for the use of both college and community residents.

The Borough of Gettysburg has a population of 8,000 but hosts a substantial number of tourists during the summer to the local National Military Park. Challenges of the project included providing a balance of programming that would meet the needs of all members of the community, while providing a revenue base to sustain the theatre.

Janis Barlow provided Gettysburg College with a needs and market assessment, and a program and business plan for the Majestic Theater. Use recommendations included the development of two small screening rooms adjacent to the 1,000-seat theatre that would maintain the tradition of regular film screenings. A mixed-use program of community and college presentations, along with a small professional presentation series was recommended, while a professional summer production specifically geared to the area tourists could be developed to generate revenue that would have the potential to support the facility in the long term.

For more information on the Majestic Theatre project, visit Gettysburg College's web site at: www.gettysburg.edu/majestic

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