The Friends of the Historic Playhouse Theatre are hosting a public Listening Session on Friday evening, October 4 th from 5:00 – 6:00 p.m. The public is invited to gather at the theater at 11 South Main Street in downtown Randolph.

The Friends is the nonprofit organization that owns and operates the Playhouse Movie Theatre.

The Friends, in collaboration with the Town of Randolph, have secured a Vermont Community Development Program (VCDP) Planning Grant from the State of Vermont. This grant will fund a full evaluation of the theater's existing infrastructure and development of comprehensive architectural plans providing a framework and roadmap for an upgrade of the facility.

The October 4 th Listening Session will be an opportunity for community members to share their interests, needs, and aspirations for the Playhouse and the role it might play in the community going forward. In addition to showing commercial and locally produced films, the Playhouse may provide a site for additional public viewing options. While addressing access and safety shortalls of the facility, a new vision will also consider the comfort and convenience of theatergoers.

The Friends will be joined at the Listening Session by principals of the Burlington-based architectural firm Gossens Bachman, who have been hired to turn the community vision into actionable plans for the development of the Playhouse.

The Playhouse Movie Theatre first opened at its Randolph location on August 4, 1919, and has survived to be one of the few remaining single-purpose theaters to remain in operation in the United States. It is eligible for inclusion on the National Registry of Historic Places and is a cherished asset of the local community. The VCDP Planning Grant, with the engagement of local community members, provides an opportunity to set the Playhouse on its journey into its next century of service to the local community.

Event Info

Oct 4, 2024, 3 to 6 PM

Oct 5, 2024, 1 to 5 PM

Oct 6, 2024, 9 AM to 12 PM