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

Connie K. N. Chang, Secretary
Program Evaluation Consultant

Carl A. Bergeron
Senior Vice President, Truist Bank

Tope Folarin
Vice President, LISC

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 – Contract/Vendor Management, Samsung Electronics America

Dan Spealman
Chief of Party, INSPIRES Project, Internews

Avalon Staff

Bill Oberdorfer
Executive Director

Andrew Mencher
Programming Director

Robin Weiss
Business Manager

Rebecca Dupas
Director of Education

Sarah Pokempner
Manager Special Projects

Nathan Perriello
Manager Donor Engagement

Robin Fender
Manager Development & Membership

George Smith
Director of Operations (on-site)

Paul Gomes Da Silva
General Manager (on-site)

Luis Diaz
Assistant Manager (on-site)

Muaz Saadfadul
Assistant Manager (on-site)