Dixie Center for the Arts, theater and former movie theater in Ruston, Louisiana, United States
The Dixie Center for the Arts is a theater in Ruston, Louisiana that originally opened in 1928 as the New Astor Theatre and today contains a single large auditorium seating approximately 650 people. The building stands on North Vienna Street within the historic downtown area and retains its original theater architecture, complete with a stage and traditional seating arrangement.
The building was founded in 1928 as the New Astor Theatre and underwent several name changes, first becoming the Rialto Theatre in 1932 and then the Dixie Theatre in the 1950s. After decades of decline, it was restored and reopened in 2006 as the Dixie Center for the Arts, following its 1993 listing on the National Register of Historic Places.
The venue takes its current name from its period as the Dixie Theater starting in the 1950s, a designation that has endured to the present day. It serves the community as a gathering place for theater performances, concerts, and art exhibitions hosted by local groups and organizations.
The theater is located in downtown Ruston and is easily accessible on foot from the historic district. Visiting works well for catching local performances or exploring the building itself, which is recognizable by its traditional marquee and neon signage.
The theater was once equipped with a special pipe organ built by Wicks that provided music and sound effects during performances and movies. This instrument remains a memorable part of early visitors' experiences at the venue.
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