New use of Bronxville theater seeks to connect to community
BRONXVILLE — A year after a nonprofit revived a historic theater in Bronxville, it has opened a studio for education and community gatherings in the theater.
The Studio in The Picture House Bronxville not only provides space for acting, screenwriting and film making classes, but seeks to connect the community through film.
The Picture House Regional Film Center, a nonprofit that a decade earlier had saved an historic theater in Pelham, sees the move as an expansion of its mission.
Clayton Bushong, executive director of The Picture House, said the studio represents a broader long-term vision for the organization in terms of repurposing underutilized resources and maximizing community outreach through film, events, programs and gathering. The studio space was formerly used as offices and storage.
“In this day and age, it’s hard to run a movie theater without sources of revenue,” he said. “You really need a great community behind you to support.”
Theaters offer movies, classes, and more
The theaters in Pelham and Bronxville now screen new, independent and classic movies. The goal is to "provide dynamic film and education programs to a diverse and multi-generational audience in Westchester County and beyond," according to the organization.
The theaters host classes, workshops, and community events and offer free movies for seniors.
The $100,000 studio renovation project is likely to be funded through grants and donations. With the completion of the first stage, The Picture House will continue raising funds to improve the space.
Movie theaters have faced major challenges in recent years: high operation costs, shifting lifestyles and the rise of streaming. The iPic Theaters in Dobbs Ferry closed in 2019 and Cinema De Lux recently shut down in downtown White Plains.
More: What should replace the downtown White Plains multiplex after it closes?
"Sad and dangerous' to lose community theaters
The Picture House was formed as a nonprofit in 2003 when the Pelham Picture House, a landmark from the 1920s, was scheduled for demolition. The theater reopened in 2011.
Years later, The Picture House revitalized the Bronxville Bow Tie Cinema after it was closed in March 2020. It reopened as the Picture House Bronxville Theater in February 2022.
The Picture House is operated by four full-time employees and 30 part-time staff.
While the organization does not have plans to preserve more theaters at this time, it gives advices to groups that may be interested in saving theaters.
“Theaters are important for small villages and towns in Westchester," Bushong said. "It’s sad and very dangerous to lose community gatherings space."
Helu Wang covers development and real estate for The Journal News/lohud and USA Today Network. Reach her at hwang@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: Picture House Bronxville NY new studio offers classes and community
