New York State In-depth

The plan to convert the Greenport Theater into a cultural center is taking shape

GREENPORT, NY — Tuesday was Tony Spiridakis’ birthday, and the filmmaker and co-founder of the Manhattan Film Institute has one wish: that pledges continue to be made to support a plan that would preserve the historic Greenport theater and remodel the space into a new one cultural arts center for all of North Fork.

“There is an incredible historic Art Deco building in Greenport that can serve the community by showcasing theatre, art and film and act as an educational site for so many of our local youth for generations to come,” Spiridakis wrote on Facebook.

It was announced last week that the Village Cinema in Greenport was up for sale or long-term lease. The property, located at 211 Front Street and listed on John Catrambone of Dering Harbor Real Estate for $5.5 million, was built by Prudential Theaters in 1939 and designed by renowned theater architect John Eberson to house an earlier theatre replace one that was destroyed by the Great New England Hurricane in 1938, listing agent officials said.

Find out what’s happening in the North Forkwith free real-time patch updates.

However, Spiridakis said he has been in talks for years with the theater’s owner, Josh Sapan, who recently retired after years as CEO of AMC Networks. Sapan has offered the gift of his life if three specific conditions are met: establishing a new non-profit organization; assemble an experienced board with ties to the North Fork; and raise $1 million to cover operating costs for the nonprofit’s first three to four years. The nonprofit application is in progress and has been named the North Fork Arts Center, or NFAC.

“If the community can meet those conditions and raise that money through donations, the theater will be donated to the nonprofit North Fork Arts Center,” Spiridakis wrote. “Josh Sapan has given us the very generous opportunity to add a vibrant arts center that will operate year-round and enrich the lives of generations to come. We have a plan to use the space with an operating budget and a knowledgeable advisory board to help ensure its success. It is for sale so time is of the essence. Check out our website and please do whatever you can to make a promise as we move forward.”

Find out what’s happening in the North Forkwith free real-time patch updates.

Plans are beginning to take shape for something that could forever revitalize North Fork.

“Our mission is to create a welcoming and inclusive space where people can come together to be entertained, educated and inspired by a variety of cinemas, live performances, community events, world-class showcases and learning experiences,” so the NFAC website said. “We will strive to spark meaningful discussions and encourage artistic exploration. We believe in the transformative power of the arts and are committed to using our platform to make a positive impact across our North Fork community.”

NFAC will also provide training programs for local students — a place where young people can not only dream but arm themselves with the tools needed to succeed, Spiridakis said. NFAC will also offer filmmaking and animation camps for younger artists in a supportive, group-based learning environment during the spring and summer months.

“Imagine neon lights shining brightly all year round, bringing vitality and art culture, entertaining us, stimulating our minds and creating a place where we can be with our neighbors,” reads the NFAC website. By keeping the theater open and creating a vibrant cultural arts hub, “we improve the prosperity of our local businesses in the shoulder months, we provide choices for our youth who often don’t have enough to do year-round, and we improve the quality of our.” living in this beautiful idyllic area that we call home,” said NFAC.

Spiridakis and his partner and MFI co-founder Lisa Gilllyl worked tirelessly in 2018 to fix the heat and keep the theater open and showing films during the winter months, drawing more than 800 viewers, an indicator that crowds were hungry for the whole Future is Art Center will offer all year round.

“People love to see films from the past so they can share the history of cinema, not just firsts,” he said, adding that firsts will certainly have a place, most likely in the summer months. “But again, this isn’t just about movies. It’s about bringing music, stand-up comedy, live theater and visual arts to our community. And most of all, it’s about giving our local artists – our amazing musicians, filmmakers and visual artists, a place where they can share their work with all of us.”

A jewel case of NFAC’s cinematic offerings will feature a constantly curated lineup of films, including classic, independent and foreign films, as well as documentaries and film festival fare. The goal is to curate the programming so viewers know, “For example, this week they’re going to see a horror movie, next week they’re going to see Marlon Brando movies, and the week after that they’re going to see movies by great women directors. ‘ Spiridakis said.

Explaining the development of the vision, Spiridakis said he received an email from Sapan in January, explaining that the theater would be launched but his heart’s dream was to see the space evolve developed into the cultural arts center that both had long envisioned.

Ensuring the new nonprofit has raised $1 million is a brilliant requirement because it ensures the nonprofit has room to breathe and grow over its first four years, Spiridakis said.

“It helps us know we can cover our expenses as we find new and exciting ways to deliver programming that the public wants to experience.”

Sapan’s giving gesture and true love for theater are second to none, Spiridakis said.

“It’s the most generous thing I can think of for the community,” said Spiridakis, adding that Sapan will even sit on the board himself if the project comes to fruition. “This was a dream that Josh, Lisa Gilooly and I and others have been talking about for years.”

However, for the dream to become a reality, people need to donate and make it happen, Spiridakis said. “It is important that we do not abandon a building that has been created since 1915 for performances to be enjoyed by the public,” said Spiridakis. “It would be nice if nobody could change that in 2023 – that we preserve this amazing building that we have and create a place for performance and film, comedy and music, art and education.”

He added: “The possibilities are endless. Josh Sapan has given us an amazing opportunity. The North Fork Arts Center can be a place for people, a place for our businesses to grow, and a place for our children to enjoy ourselves financially, culturally — and spiritually.”

When asked why he decided to part with a theater that means so much to him, Sapan told Patch: “It seems like the right time to put this city treasure in the hands of someone that can lead him to his next chapter, continuing to make the best of what has been done and in particular making greater use of the stage for live events.”

It will take $1 million to make that happen, Spiridakis said, and for his birthday he would like to see “a surge” of support.

To make a pledge, click here.

To learn more about the North Fork Arts Center, click here.

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