Fairfield Community Theatre
Encyclopedia
The Fairfield Community Theatre Foundation in Fairfield
, Connecticut
, is a nonprofit organization that operates a 1920 landmark movie theater in downtown Fairfield, presenting mostly independent and second-run films. Ticket and snack prices are kept low, partly because the theater is staffed almost entirely by volunteer teenagers and run partly on donations. The foundation runs several film-related programs for seniors, mothers and youth. It also provides direct financial and promotional support to other local nonprofit organizations.
The theater is located on Fairfield's main street, 1424 Post Road.
It is staffed mainly by students.
According to the theater's Web site, it costs more than $20,000 a year to maintain the building, including more than $7,500 a year in maintenance costs for the 75-year-old marquee sign and $10,000-plus for the new DVD projection system's 35mm film projection equipment (replacement cost for one film projector would be $75,000).
The new projection system "has enhanced the theater's capabilities" by "increasing the opportunities for special programs and events at the theater."
Starting in the late 1990s, the Loew's chain tried to run it as an art house, but failed and had to close it down in the spring of 2001.
Leo Redgate, a real estate investor in his 30s who grew up in town and remembers seeing "Jaws" at the moviehouse as a kid, decided it would be good for the community to revive the place, so he created the theater foundation, invested his own money to fix up the building, and rounded up volunteers, including high school students. By the end of 2001, the theater was open again.
But now the foundation faces another challenge. Repairs are desperately needed to the property, which Redgate would like to buy from the Pollack family. He has made a couple of multimillion-dollar offers, but Norman Pollack told the Fairfield Citizen-News that the seven members of the family who make up the limited liability company are not inclined to sell at this time. Redgate is not asking for anything unreasonable in wanting to buy the property. The lease even states that he can match any offer the Pollacks receive - whether now or 10 years from now - for as long as he still rents the place.
Among the goals of the foundation are to restore and operate the theater and provide affordable entertainment, unite young people in the spirit of volunteerism, and act as a catalyst for community involvement, inspiration and support.
Fairfield, Connecticut
Fairfield is a town located in Fairfield County, Connecticut, United States. It is bordered by the towns of Bridgeport, Trumbull, Easton, Redding and Westport along the Gold Coast of Connecticut. As of the 2010 census, the town had a population of 59,404...
, Connecticut
Connecticut
Connecticut is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States. It is bordered by Rhode Island to the east, Massachusetts to the north, and the state of New York to the west and the south .Connecticut is named for the Connecticut River, the major U.S. river that approximately...
, is a nonprofit organization that operates a 1920 landmark movie theater in downtown Fairfield, presenting mostly independent and second-run films. Ticket and snack prices are kept low, partly because the theater is staffed almost entirely by volunteer teenagers and run partly on donations. The foundation runs several film-related programs for seniors, mothers and youth. It also provides direct financial and promotional support to other local nonprofit organizations.
The theater is located on Fairfield's main street, 1424 Post Road.
It is staffed mainly by students.
Volunteers and finances
Except for the general manager of the premises, the staff is mostly under the age of eighteen, and the theater is a popular place for youngsters to earn community service hours in order to apply for college.According to the theater's Web site, it costs more than $20,000 a year to maintain the building, including more than $7,500 a year in maintenance costs for the 75-year-old marquee sign and $10,000-plus for the new DVD projection system's 35mm film projection equipment (replacement cost for one film projector would be $75,000).
The new projection system "has enhanced the theater's capabilities" by "increasing the opportunities for special programs and events at the theater."
Programs
The foundation runs a number of programs using the theater:- The Casablanca Club program provides free showings of classic films during the afternoon to seniors and their guests.
- The Cinemoms program provides free movies to mothers who can bring their babies (under 2 years old). The sound is turned down a bit and the lights are left on. Changing stations are available.
- The theater's Film Movement Series shows two film series each year of quality independent films that have had very limited or no distribution.
- Cinefest FairfieldCinefest FairfieldCinefest Fairfield is an annual film festival since 2005 featuring short films by students, alumni and faculty of Fairfield University in Fairfield, Connecticut held in association with the Fairfield Community Theatre...
is an annual film festival featuring short films of Fairfield UniversityFairfield UniversityFairfield University is a private, co-educational undergraduate and master's level teaching-oriented university located in Fairfield, Connecticut, in the New England region of the United States. It was founded by the Society of Jesus in 1942, and today is one of 28 member institutions of the...
students, alumni and faculty which showcases the Department of Visual and Performing Arts' innovative New Media: Film, Television and Radio Program. - The Community Theatre Foundation Film School provides young people with an education in filmmaking in partnership with the Fairfield UniversityFairfield UniversityFairfield University is a private, co-educational undergraduate and master's level teaching-oriented university located in Fairfield, Connecticut, in the New England region of the United States. It was founded by the Society of Jesus in 1942, and today is one of 28 member institutions of the...
Media Center. - The Student Film Festival annually presents films made by high school students, with awards to the best works in various categories.
History
The theater first began operation in 1920 as a local moviehouse. It added a second screen room in 1979. There are many stories regarding the theater's changing construction. For instance, behind one of the balconies, there used to be an office. It was accompanied with a lounge, but in 1950, the owner decided to make the office bigger, compromising the lounge. A lift, still operational, would lift an organ out of the basement and onto the stage. The theater was also home to stage performances in the past but was converted into a movie theater in the 1970s.Starting in the late 1990s, the Loew's chain tried to run it as an art house, but failed and had to close it down in the spring of 2001.
Leo Redgate, a real estate investor in his 30s who grew up in town and remembers seeing "Jaws" at the moviehouse as a kid, decided it would be good for the community to revive the place, so he created the theater foundation, invested his own money to fix up the building, and rounded up volunteers, including high school students. By the end of 2001, the theater was open again.
But now the foundation faces another challenge. Repairs are desperately needed to the property, which Redgate would like to buy from the Pollack family. He has made a couple of multimillion-dollar offers, but Norman Pollack told the Fairfield Citizen-News that the seven members of the family who make up the limited liability company are not inclined to sell at this time. Redgate is not asking for anything unreasonable in wanting to buy the property. The lease even states that he can match any offer the Pollacks receive - whether now or 10 years from now - for as long as he still rents the place.
Among the goals of the foundation are to restore and operate the theater and provide affordable entertainment, unite young people in the spirit of volunteerism, and act as a catalyst for community involvement, inspiration and support.
Partners
- Newman's OwnNewman's OwnNewman's Own is a food company and for-profit corporation founded by actor Paul Newman and author A. E. Hotchner in 1982. Newman received all of the profits from product sales and donated 100% of the proceeds, after taxes, to various educational and charitable organizations of his own selection...
and its founder, Paul NewmanPaul NewmanPaul Leonard Newman was an American actor, film director, entrepreneur, humanitarian, professional racing driver and auto racing enthusiast... - Westport Country PlayhouseWestport Country PlayhouseWestport Country Playhouse, is a not-for-profit theater in Westport, Connecticut. Under the artistic direction of Mark Lamos the Playhouse produces new and classic plays for the public....
- Film Movement
- Fairfield UniversityFairfield UniversityFairfield University is a private, co-educational undergraduate and master's level teaching-oriented university located in Fairfield, Connecticut, in the New England region of the United States. It was founded by the Society of Jesus in 1942, and today is one of 28 member institutions of the...
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