The Avalon Theatre was originally named the Chevy Chase Theatre when it opened in 1923 to show the silent films of the time. The large auditorium seated 1,200 (it now seats 450) and a large pipe organ provided musical accompaniment. After original plans for a second-floor balcony were abandoned, and the theater’s upstairs space was first occupied by the Chevy Chase School of Music and later a ballet studio. For many years the theater was flanked by retail spaces rented to a variety of neighborhood businesses.

The Avalon changed owners several times over the decades, and the building was regularly renovated and redecorated. Some of the more significant changes included wiring the theater for sound in 1929 after becoming a Warner Brothers’ neighborhood theater, installation of air conditioning in the late 1930’s, construction of the upstairs 200 seat theater “Avalon 2” in 1970, and the painting of a striking ceiling mural in the large auditorium in 1985.

When the commercial owners declared bankruptcy in 2001, the Avalon was closed and stripped of its seats and projection equipment. Many of the original movie theaters in Washington had been demolished or converted to retail use, and fearing the same would happen to the Avalon, neighborhood support was strongly in favor of preserving the theater. The Avalon Theatre Project was incorporated as a nonprofit organization in November 2001, and with fundraising help from foundations, the D.C. government and many individuals, restoration of the building began in October 2002. The Avalon reopened to great excitement on April 23, 2003.

The Avalon Theatre Project purchased the theater building in 2006; a capital campaign raised money for necessary infrastructure improvements as well as a much-needed elevator. Conversion from 35mm projection to digital projection was completed in 2013. Most recently, in 2023 the Avalon Theater celebrated both its Centennial anniversary and 20 years of as a community nonprofit. With the enduring support of its neighbors and friends, the Avalon will continue to be a rich and vital cultural resource for the neighborhood and the D. C. metro area.

Avalon Board of Directors

Donetta George, Chair
Retired Owner, The Brass Knob Architectural Antiques

Lisa Banks, Vice Chair
Partner, Katz, Banks, Kumin LLP

Cathy MacNeil-Hollinger, Treasurer
Nonprofit Theater Management Consultant

Dan Spealman, Secretary
Chief of Party, INSPIRES Project, Internews

Carl A. Bergeron
Senior Vice President, Truist Bank

Connie K. N. Chang
Program Evaluation Consultant

Tope Folarin
Director, Institute of Policy Studies

Peter Halle
Attorney

Amy R. Mack, Psy.D.
Senior Policy & Program Advisor, DC Office of Gun Violence Prevention

Mary Louise Mitterhoff
Attorney

Bill Oberdorfer
Executive Director, Avalon Theatre

Lynn D. Palmer
Retired DCPS Teacher

John Pappajohn
Director – Goods & Service Procurement, DC Water

Avalon Business Office Staff

Rebecca Dupas, Ph.D.
Director of Education

Robin Fender
Manager Development & Membership

Aline Lambert
Business Manager

Andrew Mencher
Programming Director

Bill Oberdorfer
Executive Director

Nathan Perriello
Manager Donor Engagement

Sarah Pokempner
Manager Special Projects

Avalon Theater Staff

Anwar Degu
Theater Staff

Luis Diaz
Assistant Manager

Mary Ford
Theater Staff

Paul Gomes Da Silva
General Manager

Regenia Porter
Theater Staff

Muaz Saadfadul
Assistant Manager

George Smith
Director of Operations

Tokunbo Sonupe
Theater Staff

Misrak Tilahun
Theater Staff

Mignot (Mimi) Tsegaye
Theater Staff

Daniel Valdez
Theater Staff

Olivia Valdez
Theater Staff