The Wayne Theatre Alliance promotes the artistic, cultural, and educational opportunities and the economic vitality of Waynesboro and the adjacent region through the operation and preservation of the Ross Performing Arts Center at the historic Wayne Theatre as a performing arts/conference facility.

Thus far, The Wayne Theatre has hosted patrons from 33 states and numerous countries. The Wayne is the first theatre experience for many students, and to date, more than 14,000 students attend arts education programs. The Wayne Arts Education program offers performances for Pre-K through adults and encourages our community to be life-long learners.

A History of the Wayne

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 followed the lead of the Dixie Theatre in Staunton and 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 restored Wayne opened to the public with a preview season offering an array of theatre and live performances.