Turnage Theatres
Built in the 1930s, the Turnage Theater was modeled after the 1913 New York City Palace Theater, an elaborate venue that signified reaching the "pinnacle of success" for performers. Washington's Turnage Theater provided an elaborate setting to see the latest Hollywood stars in movies and survived into the 1970s when it closed and sat silent for years while decay took over.
The Turnage was neglected until the mid 1990s when a group of concerned citizens formed the Turnage Theater Foundation and began an effort that would lead to the beautiful and authentically restored Turnage that now graces Main Street.
Today the Turnage serves the entire region. With a seating capacity of over 450, this historic gem is a center for the performing arts. A partnership with the School of Theater and Dance at East Carolina University will continue to enhance the theatrical arts in our area. And each week throughout the year, locals and visitors alike can experience diverse entertainment from classical music to musical theater to comedy and more. Visit the Turnage Theater and step into the glamour of the 1930s; stay for a while and enjoy one of the many quality performances.
