Cameo Theatre March 30 Centennial Celebration and Theatre Bristol Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony
Cameo Theatre to reopen upon 100th anniversary with efforts of Theatre Bristol and Community
Bristol, Virginia/Tennessee, March 2025 – Exactly one hundred years after opening for the first time, the Cameo Theatre celebrates its centennial with Theatre Bristol’s grand opening and ribbon-cutting ceremony on Sunday, March 30, 2025, 6:30 pm at 703 State Street, Bristol, VA.
On March 30, 1925, the Cameo Theatre first opened its doors with a spectacular vaudeville performance, marking the beginning of a rich history of live entertainment. Now, 100 years later, Theatre Bristol is honored to bring live theatre back to this beloved stage and celebrate the legacy of storytelling that has filled this space for a century.
Help us recognize those who have made this possible and hear from leaders from both cities with proclamations on this historic occasion, and learn how you can support the future Theatre Bristol and Cameo Theatre, all led by an evening ribbon-cutting ceremony with the Bristol Chamber of Commerce.
Step inside and experience the magic! Reconnect with old friends from past productions, mingle with fellow theatre lovers in the community, and enjoy light refreshments from supporter Food City as we celebrate this milestone together.
Come take a walk down memory lane, see the space that has been home to countless stories, and toast to the future of live theatre!
RSVPs are requested at theatrebristol.org.
The Cameo Theatre will celebrate its 100th anniversary this year by reopening and presenting shows, the first at the Cameo Theatre being Theatre Bristol’s first-ever show 60 years ago, a double-feature of “Land of Jesters” and “Rumpelstiltskin.”
Securing the beautiful Cameo Theatre is just the first step for Theatre Bristol, as the fundraising now begins to help the 60-year-old community theatre raise $1 million for the Cameo Theatre and redevelop the multi-use ARTspace Theatre.
Through vital support from People Inc Financial Services, Ninth District Development Financing Inc, Virginia Small Business Financing Authority, and Believe in Bristol, Theatre Bristol is taking its talents to the Cameo Theatre, Paramount Bristol, and ARTspace stages to do its part to raise funds through grants, donations, sponsors, and ticket sales, but much more help will be needed from the community.
An increase in seating by more than 500 percent will equip Theatre Bristol to eventually hire much-needed staff positions and help sustain the organization and performing arts opportunities in our community. More audiences will be able to enjoy popular shows in a beautiful venue. Increased seating will address the need to accommodate more students and avoid turning away schools from sold-out shows.
These plans will also help Theatre Bristol and the community:
- Enjoy more performance opportunities;
- Meet the need for more rehearsal space and make rehearsal space accessible to all ages and abilities;
- Increase technical arts skills in our community and work to keep skilled people here in the area;
- Increase children’s programming, plays and Catherine DeCaterina School of Theatre Arts, to meet demand;
- Benefit from excellent acoustics and sightlines for plays;
- Create a true blackbox experience in the ARTspace for small productions, small children and camp activities, dinner theatre, ballroom dancing, gala events, and other programming, and allow use the otherwise open space for accessible rehearsal; and
- Offer affordable family-friendly live performances and stage space.
Many people helped Theatre Bristol get to this historic moment, with special thanks to Brent Buchanan and Stanley Buchanan for the detailed, thoughtful, and beautiful renovations, Sam West of People Inc Financial Services, Linda Tackett of VSBFA, Alexa Frado of True North Real Estate Advisors, Randy Kennedy, Maggie Elliot and Emily Champagne of Believe in Bristol, Architect Mike Stone, Craig Young and Megan Blevins of PROSIM Engineering, and Edd Hill, with Tommy Shrader, Claire Davis, Mack Chapman, Lois Clarke, Fred Slaughter, and Ronan King for believing in this effort, as well as all the actors, directors, crew, audiences, and donors over the years, and the staff and board of directors, Ann Vance, Nicole Intagliata, Leticia Peltzer, Mary Beth Rainero, Michael Smythe, Tina Turner, Samantha Gray, Camille Gray, and Albert Tester.
Theatre Bristol is deeply committed to continuing to perform at Paramount Bristol as its history is closely knit to the story of Theatre Bristol and founder Cathy DeCaterina, and is designed specifically to meet Theatre Bristol’s needs with critical wing space, fly space, stage space, and seating capacity for beloved musical productions.
The 2025 Anniversary Season includes a full season of exciting productions, camps, classes, and workshops in all three venues, created specifically with our community in mind. Theatre Bristol invites people to audition and get involved in many other ways, including design, costuming, set design and construction, lighting, sound, stage management, props, publicity, assisting, and more. All roles are volunteer and experience or a strong willingness to learn is welcome.
To learn more or support the Cameo Arts Capital Campaign give at TheatreBristol.org/donate by check or online, or contact Theatre Bristol at info@TheatreBristol.org or 423-212-3625. Become a patron of the arts Anniversary Patron, sponsor and/or souvenir program advertiser, and consider becoming a volunteer.
Theatre Bristol is pleased to present performances, classes, and workshops as part of its family-friendly 60th season of ARTspace and Paramount shows. Founded in 1965 by Cathy DeCaterina, Theatre Bristol is a community theatre serving all ages that also has the distinction as the oldest continually running children’s theatre in northeast Tennessee. Located on historic State Street in Bristol, it equally serves southwest Virginia. Its Main Stage season consists of drama, comedy, and musical productions that take place in the Theatre Bristol ARTspace black box theatre, the historic Cameo Theatre, and on the historic Paramount Bristol stage.