Jefferson Theatre
345 Fannin Street
Beaumont, TX 77701
The Jefferson Theatre was designed by noted architect Emile Weil and built in 1927 in Downtown Beaumont. The theater has hosted some of the world’s greatest motion pictures, including “It’s A Wonderful Life,” whose 1947 premier was held at the Jefferson Theatre, with star James Stewart and director Frank Capra in attendance.
Owned and operated by the City of Beaumont, the theatre has become the cornerstone of entertainment in Downtown. Weekly Classic Movie Nights began in August 2014 and are wildly successful with more than 12,000 attendees annually. Major concerts and shows in the last year include Pat Benatar, Bobby Bones, Russian Grand Ballet, Travis Tritt, Rodney Carrington, and Tracy Byrd.
Private Tours
Available by appointment only.
Call 409-838-3435 or email [email protected]
Additional Information
Venue Overview
This historic theatre features stunning architecture, ornate statues, and modern amenities designed to support a wide range of events. The facility includes full-service dressing rooms, state-of-the-art sound and lighting systems, concession areas, and a ticket box office.
Following a complete restoration in 2003, the theatre serves as a premier venue for concerts, films, stage productions, weddings, and receptions.
Please note: The theatre organ is not included in standard rentals. Use of the organ must be requested and approved prior to the event date.
Capacity
- Flexible seating configurations available for:
- 600 guests
- 1,406 guests
Stage Specifications
- Proscenium Opening: 40′ W x 34′ H
- Stage Dimensions: 40′ W x 29′ D
- Apron: 2′ downstage of curtain line
- Orchestra Pit: 32′ W x 6′ fixed depth (non-hydraulic)
- Crossover (Upstage): 2′11″ wide
- Wingspace:
- Stage Left: 5′ W x 30′ D
- Stage Right: 16′ W x 30′ D (less piano storage)
- Floor Surface: Black Masonite
Loading Access:
- Door: 8′ W x 10′ H
- Distance from street: 137′ via private alleyway
Rigging
- Grid Height: 62′
- Lineset Travel: 50′6″
- 24 linesets on irregular centers (1,000 lb capacity each)
- Line 4: 40′3″ x 20′2″ Technikote movie screen
- Electrics: Lines 5, 9, 16, 21 (cyc lights on Line 21)
- Soft Goods:
- 4 pairs of black legs
- 4 borders
- Mid-stage black traveler (Line 14)
- Upstage black drape (Line 24)
- Cyclorama (Line 23)
Lighting
- Control: ETC Express 72/144 with 192 dimmers (including 24 house lights), 20 amp
- Connectors: 3-prong twist-lock (NEMA L5-20), adapters available
- Positions:
- Balcony boom: 50′ from proscenium center
- FOH truss: 60′ from center (15° rise)
- Additional position: 45° rise
- Power: 100A 3-phase show disconnect (USR), DMX access in booth
Instruments:
- 128 Source 4 ellipsoidal fixtures
- 36 Source 4 PARs
- 7 Altman 3-cell cyc strips
- 2 Lycian Super Arc followspots (1200W metal halide)
Sound
- Control: Crest X8HS-40 (40 mono + 4 stereo inputs)
- Speakers: Meyer sound system with flown left/right arrays, subs, delays
- Front lip and under-balcony fills with XTA processors
- Equipment: Microphones, including 2 wireless units
- Power: 200A 3-phase, transformer-isolated with dedicated show disconnect (SR)
Event Staffing
Professional event staff—including ushers, ticket takers, and security—are available for an additional fee.
Our house services team provides experienced, uniformed staff familiar with the venue and event operations. Staffing levels and rates are available upon request and can be arranged during the booking process.
The 1927 Robert Morton organ at the Jefferson Theatre in Beaumont, Texas has been fully restored to its original condition. This remarkable project was made possible through the expert craftsmanship of Tom Helms and generous grant support from the Mamie McFaddin Ward Heritage Foundation.
Severely damaged by Hurricane Rita in 2005, the historic instrument remained silent for more than 15 years. After two extensive restoration phases, the organ is now fully operational and once again fills the theatre with its distinctive sound.
Recognized as a notable example of early 20th-century theatre organ design, the Robert Morton is celebrated for its rich tonal range and expressive versatility. Originally built to accompany silent films and live performances, it remains an important artifact of both musical and cultural history.
Visitors are invited to experience the organ through private tours, group visits, or special performances. For more information or to schedule a visit, please contact [email protected] or call 409-838-3435.
Handicap accessible restroom is located in the main floor lobby.
Seating located on the orchestra level in row Z 1-10.
345 Fannin St, Beaumont, TX 77701
PARKING
Parking for the Jefferson Theatre is located in the downtown area with fees varying for each lot along with downtown street parking. Free parking is also available at the Beaumont Civic Center parking lot at 701 Main Street (first come, first serve).
DIRECTIONS
●If you are traveling from the Mid County and Port Arthur area you will need to take the MLK Spur 380 Exit off of Highway 69 and proceed to College Street. Turn right at College Street and proceed to Orleans Street. At the traffic signal on Orleans Street turn left. Keeping straight on Orleans Street, you will make a right on Fannin Street. The Jefferson Theatre will be on your right.
● If you are traveling from the Kountze and Lumberton area on Highway 69 South you will need to take the Interstate10 East exit towards Louisiana and proceed east until you reach exit 855A, at the downtown exit. You will need to take this exit and proceed forward on Willow Street to the second traffic signal at Calder Avenue. Continue straight through the traffic signal and you will now be on Park Street. Proceed on Park Street to Fannin Street. At the traffic signal at Fannin Street, you will turn left. The Jefferson Theatre will be on your right.
● If you are traveling from the Houston area take the Interstate 10 East Exit towards Louisiana. Proceed East until you reach Exit 855A at the downtown exit. You will need to take this exit and proceed forward on Willow Street to the second traffic signal at Calder Avenue. Continue straight through the traffic signal and you will now be on Park Street. Proceed on Park Street to Fannin Street. At the traffic signal at Fannin Street, you will turn left. The Jefferson Theatre will be on your right.
● If you are traveling from the Orange and Vidor area on Interstate 10 West you will need to take Exit 855A at the downtown exit. You will need to take this exit and proceed forward on Willow Street to the second traffic signal at Calder Avenue. Continue straight through the traffic signal and you will now be on Park Street. Proceed on Park Street to Fannin Street. At the traffic signal at Fannin Street, you will turn left. The Jefferson Theatre will be on your right.
The Jefferson Theatre was designed by noted architect Emile Weil and built in 1927 for the Jefferson Amusement Company, Sol E. Gordon and J. C. Clemmons, partners, at a cost of one million dollars. Constructed of the finest materials available at the time, the Jefferson was a magnificent structure as well as a center for entertainment . . .a Movie Palace. The Beaumont Journal once described it in this manner: “Of striking Old Spanish architecture, the interior radiates romance and charm in the perfect blending of color, tone, architecture, sculpture, and fabric and breathes an eloquence of grandeur that is felt quite as much as it is seen.”
The Jefferson Theatre opened on Monday, November 14, 1927, with a program including The Jefferson Grand Orchestra conducted by Frank Harris, the organ played by Alice Richmond, and the movie “Rose of the Golden West” starring Mary Astor and Gilbert Roland. The theatre hosted traveling shows, vaudevillians and dramas. The Jefferson Theatre was THE showplace of entertainment for four decades and the pride of the Jefferson Amusement Company, led in later years by Julius Gordon, son of Sol Gordon. In addition to the theatre’s other dazzling appointments, a magnificent Robert Morton Wonder Organ, voiced particularly for the acoustics of the Jefferson, was installed on a platform that allowed it to rise majestically from the orchestra pit to stage level. The organ’s 778 pipes and many percussive effects produced a variety of sounds rivaling those of an actual orchestra.
The Jefferson Theatre was beautifully restored after many decades and celebrated its Grand Reopening, November 5-15, 2003.
Click here to view rates.