Short History of the Athens Theatre

The Athens Theatre is one of the few existing examples of a classic American theatre in Central Florida. Once the centerpiece of DeLand, the Athens Theatre is a jewel of Italian Renaissance architecture. This historic theatre was designed in 1921 by prominent Orlando architect Murray S. King and first opened its doors on January 6th, 1922. On January 5th, 1922, the eve of the theater’s opening, the DeLand Daily News declared the Athens to be “Florida’s Handsomest Theatre” and “a gem of architecture”. Constructed primarily by DeLand craftsmen and laborers, the facility embodied the very best in design, construction, decoration and equipment. The theatre’s name was derived from the vision of DeLand’s founder, Henry DeLand, who sought to create a city that would be the “Athens of Florida”.

During the Depression, “the Athens Theatre was the only entertainment people could afford”, recounted DeLand historian Bill Dreggors. “The DeLand Amusement Corporation charged only nine cents (for children) because if it was a dime they’d have to pay the state entertainment tax”, he said. Later, promotions with RC Cola allowed patrons to enter free with six RC bottle caps. Originally a vaudeville house and silent movie palace, the Athens Theatre featured live stage shows by touring performers, as well as films of the day that were often accompanied by the theatre’s Wurlitzer Pipe Organ. Once the entertainment centerpiece of West Volusia County, the showplace evolved through the decades from a vaudeville theater, to a movie house, a place for community theatre and prom parties, a dinner theater, a video game room, a restaurant, a pizza, beer and movie house, and a teen night spot. Dozens remember it as the site of their first date, first kiss, and even as the place to go for a midnight matinee after the high school prom. Following a renovation in the 1950’s, the building deteriorated and eventually closed in the early 1990’s.

In 1993, recognizing the vital part played by The Athens Theatre in downtown DeLand’s heritage, MainStreet DeLand Association spearheaded the effort of community leaders and residents to restore the theater to its original splendor. In December, 1994, with the help of a Florida Bureau of Historic Preservation Matching Grant, MainStreet purchased the Athens Theatre for the people of DeLand. Ownership was transferred July, 2004 to Sands Theater Center, Inc. With its programming expertise and facilities management experience, The Sands Theater can provide a constructive community-wide purpose for the Athens, while gaining much-needed space for public programs in an historic venue in downtown Deland.

How will the Athens Theatre be used?

Artist’s rendering of the new Athens Theatre. With a seating capacity of nearly 500, it will be the largest, most flexible building of its kind in West Volusia.

The Sands Theater serves over 70,000 individuals each year through in-house productions and outreach programs throughout Central Florida. Space to accommodate expanded programming is a growing concern. The Athens Theatre will increase the number and variety of cultural activities available in the West Volusia area. Theatre and film festivals are on the agenda. Classic movies and independent art films, concerts, dramas, musicals, and other live performances are just a few of the programs which will be offered along with lectures and educational activities for students and adults. With a 530-square-foot orchestra pit, Allen Theater Organ, balcony area, dressing rooms, performance stage, state-of-the-art lighting, sound, and film-projection equipment and a seating capacity of nearly 500, it will be the largest, most flexible building of its kind on the west side of the county.

c. 1922 The opening night performance in January 1922 included a movie, live theatre performance and several vaudeville acts.	1970s - 1990s Through the decades the Athens was used for a movie house, community theatre, prom parties, a restaurant with a video game room and a teen night spot.	2008 Theatre and film festivals are on the agenda. Classic movies and independent art films, concerts, dramas, musicals, and other live performances are just a few of the programs that will be offered along with lectures and educational activities for students and adults.