By: Ella Schaftel
Since 1939, the Avon Theatre has stood as a cherished cultural cornerstone in Stamford, Connecticut, offering far beyond your typical movie theater experience. It’s been the preferred theater partner for Greenwich International Film Festival (GIFF), since our inception a decade ago. With its upcoming renovation, Avon reCreated, which is set to redefine the theater experience, GIFF sat down with the Avon’s Executive Director, Peter Gistelinck and Director of Development, Louisa Greene to delve into what’s in store for its patrons and how this historic landmark plans to continue enriching the community through film and education.
Can you tell us about the upcoming renovation plans for Avon reCreated? When will the renovations begin? How will they affect the experience of your patrons?
We’re thrilled to announce the Avon reCreated project, scheduled to commence groundbreaking in April 2025, and we hope to reopen by January 2026. This extensive renovation encompasses both interior and exterior enhancements aimed at redefining the Avon Theatre experience. Key upgrades include the addition of a third theater equipped with state-of-the-art Dolby Atmos and BARCO HDR 4K projection systems, ensuring top-notch audio and visual quality. Our lounge, bathrooms, and concession stand will also undergo transformation, with the addition of a sophisticated wine bar. Despite these modern updates, we’re committed to preserving the Avon’s historic charm, maintaining original colors and architectural integrity as a registered historic district. The renovations will enhance comfort for our audience, integrating hearing-assist technologies and expanding our concession offerings to include cocktails, making the Avon a destination not just for movies but for socializing and community gatherings.
The Avon Theatre has been a cultural staple in Stamford for many years. Can you share any insights into the theater’s future plans and how you aim to continue serving the community?
Moving forward, the Avon Theatre is expanding its role as a vibrant cultural hub in Stamford. We’re excited to introduce a new 48-seat theater, which will be our third screen, dedicated to stand-up comedy and screenings of foreign and independent films. We hope this makes clear our commitment to diverse programming that appeals to all demographics within Stamford and beyond. Additionally, we are launching consistent educational programs in 2026 in collaboration with Stamford Public Schools, emphasizing cinema as an art form that enriches lives and fosters cultural understanding. Our goal is to use film not just for entertainment but as a gateway to broader cultural experiences, encouraging dialogue and community engagement.
As a nonprofit independent cinema, the Avon Theatre relies on community support. How can individuals contribute to your mission?
Community support is essential to the Avon Theatre’s operations. Individuals can contribute in several ways: through donations, volunteering their time, or becoming a member. Only 35% of our operating costs are covered by ticket sales. Donations and memberships are crucial to sustaining our programming and facilities. Members enjoy perks such as free popcorn on Mondays, discounts on tickets, and exclusive sneak previews. Volunteers play a vital role in our day-to-day operations, assisting with everything from ushering to event coordination. Every form of support ensures that the Avon Theatre remains a vibrant cultural institution in Stamford.
What exactly do volunteers do?
Volunteers assist with tasks ranging from guest services to event coordination. We welcome volunteers aged 16 and above, offering flexible opportunities that match their interests and availability. During peak times, we’ve had as many as 70 volunteers supporting our efforts. Volunteering at the Avon Theatre is a fantastic way to contribute to our vibrant cultural community while gaining valuable experience and forming meaningful connections with fellow film enthusiasts and community members.
How does the Avon Theatre select the films it screens? What are some of your favorite films that the Avon has shown?
Our Director of Programming, Adam Birnbaum, meticulously curates our film selection. While artistic and educational value are prioritized, we also consider the commercial viability to ensure financial sustainability. The addition of a third screen through Avon reCreated will enable us to showcase a broader range of films, including niche and independent productions. Some standout favorites include thought-provoking documentaries and engaging foreign films that spark meaningful community discussions. We also maintain strong relationships with production companies like Bleecker Street and A24, which provide early screenings for test marketing and community feedback.
The Avon Theatre values its members and offers various benefits to its supporters. What advantages do members receive, and how can individuals become members to support the theater’s mission?
Becoming a member is straightforward and rewarding. Information on how to become a member, make a donation or on how to volunteer can all be found on our website, https://avontheatre.org/. Additional ways to become a member are by calling our office at 203-661-0321, or by joining in person at our box office or digital kiosk. Members enjoy benefits such as free admission on their birthday, exclusive sneak previews, and discounts on tickets and concessions. Primary members who contribute $500 or more annually receive additional perks such as complimentary movies and invitations to special events. But the most important perk is that you’re keeping the Avon open!
Can you elaborate on the Avon Theatre’s mission and how it has evolved over the years to adapt to changing cinema landscapes and community needs?
The Avon Theatre’s mission is to entertain, enlighten, inspire, and educate through the art of cinema. Over the years, we’ve evolved by expanding our programming to reflect diverse cultural experiences and embracing new technologies to enhance audience engagement. Our commitment to community involvement remains steadfast, ensuring that every film screening and event contributes positively to Stamford’s cultural fabric. By staying true to our mission and adapting to changing needs, we continue to serve as a cultural beacon in Stamford, offering unique film experiences that resonate with diverse audiences. We hope for our audience to experience a different palette of cinematic experiences that would educate the public about the power of film that can change people’s lives.
Are there any plans to expand the Avon Theatre’s reach beyond its current location, either through additional venues or digital platforms?
While we embrace digital platforms for ticketing and community engagement, our primary focus remains to provide an authentic cinematic experience at our historic venue. We’re exploring hybrid event formats and satellite communications to connect with broader audiences for hybrid Q&A’s. In other words, if we want to interview a director in Paris, we are going to want to be able to do that live and stream it into our theaters. The goal is to evolve with the changing times while maintaining the intimate charm of our theater.
What do you think makes the Avon Theatre a unique and beloved institution in Stamford? In what ways does the Avon Theatre contribute to building a sense of community in Stamford and the surrounding areas through its programming and events?
It’s best summed up in seven words – The Avon creates memories for a lifetime. And, the difference here is that we want to be a community hub. We strive for a personal approach. People know who we are and we have a loyal staff who also know many of our audience by name. It’s important to us to maintain our personal approach and deep community connections. One program we hold that is very special to us is our annual scholarship Essay Contest. It’s a small program but this was our 15th year. We gave out $8,500 to eleven high school seniors who competed in this year’s contest. The students had to write about a movie that was released in 2023 or 2024 from a very personal perspective. How did the movie impact them? Did it make a difference? Did it change the way they looked at themselves and the world? The most important thing about this scholarship is that it continues to give young people an opportunity to use film to express themselves. In the 15 years we’ve given out over $100,000 which is a lot of money for a small charity like us.
Can you tell us about any upcoming screenings or special events for the community?
We’re excited about our upcoming Lifetime Achievement Award event on October 22, 2024, honoring Michael Douglas. This intimate evening will feature personal dialogues with A-list actors, political figures and even UN representation. Having the master of ceremonies being
Terre Blair Hamlisch, a longtime friend of the Douglas family, adds a personal touch to the evening.
Many thanks to Peter Gistelinck and Louisa Greene. GIFF is excited to see Avon’s next chapter unfold!
