By ELIZABETH VENCILL

The State Theater is a vintage movie and performance house in the art deco style on J Street. It is owned by the Downtown Arts Project, Inc., a private, non-profit corporation, specifically created to purchase, restore and preserve it for the community as one of its pearls. The State recently had a change of managership that has brought some stress to the community. We caught up with the President of the Board of Directors, Marsena Buck, and asked her what her vision is for the State.

"The first thing I see is that it will be there in the future," she said in her matter-of-fact style. "My vision is to create a strong Board of Directors which is not afraid to raise money for The State Theater. But you cannot create stars," she remarked, "you must create an ensemble of people, give them ownership of their parts in the group and then let them create the result. Jim Halvorsen, who sells cars, has done a remarkable job of selling advertising for the newsletter. Who would have thought to put him together with a Connie Harris? Terry has given incredible service to the theater. Andy Eshoo has been invaluable. Roland Enz is a fabulous addition to the board. With people as talented and diverse as these, The State will flourish because of their synergy."

Buck wants The State Theater to be a venue for the whole community in which every group feels comfortable. The diversity of the city should be represented on the Board of Directors and in the plans for entertainment, she feels. From the fans of Zydeco music, to the fans of Celtic, Folk, and Baroque music and more, to film fans and the families who come to the Circus in the spring, she wishes The State to appeal to all. A Patsy Cline Christmas revue is scheduled for December 11 that is sure to sell out the house. She says that she wants a Board to take The Theater to places "I haven’t even thought of yet!"

Plans are to join with schools and have performances of historic and literary characters for class field trips. Recently, Dawson Nichols presented his play, I MIGHT BE EDGAR ALLEN POE, an excellently done piece about a mental patient who finds a book of Poe’s work, relates to it and performs it. Poe’s "The Raven" was never recited better.

Another idea is to invite participation in the planning of events and performances from community members and groups who would like to have the venue available to them. Expanding the participation base while keeping The State Theater a comfortable place for supporters and audiences is important to President Buck. But more than that, what’s important is that The State Theater be more than the building, more than the players, and more than the Board of Directors. It must be a place where all feel comfortable and safe, where all come for entertainment and renewal, and where entertainment can manifest the many forms and expressions that exist in this richly diverse community. Forty-two languages are spoken in Stanislaus County. This means that more than forty-two cultures are represented here, with more than forty-two kinds of music and entertainment. The State Theater can host all of this diversity. The community can make that happen. There are five positions on the Board of Directors coming up for appointment on December 31, 1999. Come join it.

ACTION: If joining the Downtown Arts Project Board of Directors is something you would enjoy, notify The State Theatre Interim Manager, Liane Davidson at www.thestate.org, email: shows@thestate.org, call 527-4697, or send a resume and cover letter to: The State Theatre, 1307 J Street, Modesto, CA 95354.

By TINA ARNOPOLE DRISKILL

The State Theatre, which opened its doors on Christmas Day, 1934, as "The New State, A Christmas Present to Modesto", will celebrate its 65th anniversary with a Pageant of Choruses December 18 at 7 p.m.

James Marsters, who plays Spike on "Buffy the Vampire Slayer", will make a special homecoming appearance with a reading of "The Night Before Christmas". Marsters, who grew up in Modesto, has appeared on stages throughout the United States and is now working out of Hollywood.

The celebration will feature community singing and musical groups, including the Thomas Downey High School Madrigals, the Mae Hensley Warrior Ringers bell choir, and the Ovation Juniors and Seniors choirs. Santa Claus and Snowflake the Clown also will be on hand.

The State is joining hands with CableOne and the American Movie Classics Network to present a free feature showing of the holiday favorite, "Miracle On 34th Street", December 9 at 7 p.m. Though the film is free, required tickets must be picked up from CableOne, 1639 Princeton Ave., Modesto, or from the State. Participants are asked to bring a can of food for the Community Can Tree. Each can will entitle the giver to a raffle ticket for a drawing to win CableOne and AMC memorabilia. CableOne can be reached at 343-7703.

The State’s calendar is filled with even more holiday specials including a Christmas Jazz Concert with Rick Braun, Marc Antoine, Brian Culberson and Gabrielle Anders beginning at 8 p.m. on Saturday, December 4; and A Patsy Cline Christmas with Joni Morris re-creating the singing legend in a country holiday beat at 8 p.m. on Dec. 11.

Gottschalk Music Center will add to the holiday fun, as it sponsors A Christmas Sampler at 2 p.m. on December 19. The sampler is the first of the four concert Chamber Music Series and will feature The Camaraderie Quintet Woodwind Ensemble, The Central Valley Brass Brasswind Ensemble and The

Saxophones Quartet in a program of seasonal music. Attendees who bring an unwrapped gift valued at $8 or more for The Salvation Army will receive free admission. The succeeding concerts will be February 20, Camaraderie Quintet, March 19, Saxophone Quartet, and April 16, Central Valley Brass. Season and individual tickets are available through the State Theatre.

State Theatre welcomes new director