After a two-month hiatus, the Athena Cinema reopened its doors Friday.
The theater will host an open-house event from 4-7 p.m. Aug. 31 and Sept. 1 after a surprise midnight screening Aug. 30 to kick off the theater’s reopening.
“Small, historic art-film houses across the country have had to rethink their business model in order to stay alive in today’s world of multiplex movie theaters, digital movie streaming, and movies-in-the-mail companies like Netflix,” said Alexandra Kamody, managing director of the Athena Cinema. “Athena Cinema is no different.”
As part of its new business model, the theater will also be open during the day on weekdays to all students and majors, not just College of Fine Arts film students.
Renovations in the theater include new seats in the upstairs theater, secondary audio-visual equipment for instructors to use during class, and bathrooms that better meet the requirements of the ADA, along with a new sprinkler system and a more sophisticated fire-safety system.
“Several of these renovations were focused on preparing the theater as a classroom space,” said Chris Iacofano, Athena’s executive director. “I believe that we did a good job in making the space a better classroom space without compromising anything about the space as a theater.”
Most of these changes will not be noticeable to the average patron, though, Iacofano said.
In addition to renovations, the theater is also starting new programs aimed toward increasing awareness and use of the theater.
The first will be Science on Screen, a program that includes the screening of feature films and documentaries with a presentation from science and technology experts. Some ofthese include professors from the university.
Science on Screen, a project of the Coolidge Corner Theatre and the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation, has selected the Athena as one of 20 non-profit theaters nationwide to participate in this program. The first event, which will happen on a yet-to-be-announced date this fall, will be a screening of the film Idiocracy, followed by a discussion by Molly Morris, a member of the Department of Biological Sciences.
The theater will host at least three Science on Screen events during the 2012–13 academic year.
Another new program is the Athena Membership, a paid membership option open to both students and the general public. It will include benefits such as discounts on ticket prices and concessions and pre-sale ticket availability for higher-anticipated films.
“We are fortunate to have the support of partners who understand the importance of theaters where students and the community come together for a shared film experience,” Kamody said. “We are grateful to Ohio University’s College of Fine Arts and to our loyal Athena community film lovers who continue to support our historic art theater.”
With all the new additions to the theater, the patrons and employees are excited to begin serving the people of Athens again.
“I’m certainly excited about our reopening,” said Hsin-ning Chang, head projectionist at the theater. “So many people asked me when are we going to open again throughout the summer. I guess people do miss a cute little theater like us in town.”
The Athena has reopened all three of its screens with the films Moonrise Kingdom, Safety Not Guaranteed and Ruby Sparks.
“Work(ing) as a projectionist, I’m happy to be able to put the light on the screen again,” Chang said. “Seeing people in the auditorium enjoying their time is a nice feeling. I hope we have a good crowd after reopening.”
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