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Paramout Theater
Proscenium arch
The Paramount Theatre has stood on Congress Avenue in the heart of downtown Austin for nearly 100 years. The site of the Paramount Theatre was once home to Sam Houston’s office and the War Department of the Republic of Texas and later the Avenue Hotel. As Austin’s oldest surviving theatre built in 1915, the Paramount has a long history of entertaining Central Texas audiences.
Originally conceived as a Vaudeville and variety house, it continues to bring a wide array of programming to its stage. The Paramount presents comedy, drama, music, dance, spoken word, children’s programming and films to more than 200,000 Central Texans each year. More than 10,000 of those are children who gain admission for free or at greatly reduced prices because of our youth outreach programs.
The Paramount holds special historical significance as a City of Austin Landmark and State Landmark. It is also listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is one of the few remaining ‘hemp houses,’ using ropes and sandbags, left in America.
The Paramount Theatre plays a significant role in the many communities that make Austin unique. It is home to Austin’s red carpet film premieres and is part of the SXSW and the Austin Film Festival. It is a vibrant player in the Austin music scene, hosting release parties, booking local talent and presenting touring acts. And through its own quality programming and by serving as a venue for area arts organizations, the Paramount serves as the anchor for the Austin arts community.
The Paramount currently operates along side the State Theatre next door under The Austin Theatre Alliance. This 501(c)(3) non-profit organization strives to bring the widest variety of entertainment to as many people as possible in its two historic theatres.
Watch the video below to learn more about the Paramount Theatre & its history as a landmark in Austin.
