Rosendale Theatre facade (image by AJ Lee)
Tomorrow, I turn forty. There’s nothing like an impending new decade to get you reflecting on the past. What you’ve achieved and failed to do, the people you’ve loved, lost and gained, who you are and what you were expecting to be. Over the last ten years many fundamental things about my life have changed: I turned 30 in London, newly married, childless, renting a top floor flat with no outside space and a drawer full of summer bikinis, embarking on a new creative career (I had my work life crisis early). Fast forward to now: tending daffodils in my yard in upstate NY dressed in not-too-tight high waisted jeans, shielding my wrinkled eyes from the sun, while my two American kids jump two-footed onto stomp rockets and shout “I need more waader” at me. Yet, deep down, I am the same person with many of the same sources of joy. And one of my most enduring pleasures, one that I have pursued and enjoyed in every stretch of my life so far, wherever I may be, is going to see a film at my movie local theater.
Why do I still love these trips so much when every piece of content you could possibly want is available from the couch? Well, for one, I am officially old now and therefore duty bound to like things that Gen Z think are pointless and outdated. But that’s not it. For me, the experience is so much more than just the movie — it’s the joyful letting go of real life on the outside, and complete submission to someone else’s story, larger than life.
Switching off my own interior dialogue for two hours is addictive as an Aries who feels emotions strongly. Frustration, carefreeness, isolation, joy, shame, ambition, disappointment, excitement; every one of them surges up quickly and diffuses throughout my body like a drug, blocking other pathways. “Oversensitive” is probably the label that my closest loved ones might use. “Snap out of it” is a phrase that was directed at me a lot as a kid (and I am guilty of uttering it as a parent), and I often wish I could achieve the unflappable, self aware state that is the cornerstone of many literary or celluloid protagonists — striving to be more Elinor Dashwood, less Marianne. But when strong emotions take hold I often feel unable, chemically, to stop them; I need something outside of myself — a change of location, a shift in tone, a distraction — to allow my brain to switch modes. Hence, the cinema is a balm to me, and never fails to provide me with happy memories.
Sitting next to my dad, high up in the steeply raked Corn Exchange cinema in Wallingford, UK, eagerly awaiting the start of The Madness of King George, only for it to begin playing upside down — apt given the subject matter — until someone left their seat to point it out to the sleepy projectionist. Arranging to meet a boy (now my husband) at the Odeon in Islington, N1, to see a silly rom com starring Cameron Diaz, because it was the only thing showing that evening and we wanted an excuse to sit close to each other. Sinking into the glamorous drama of Casino Royale with my friend Claire in a pitch dark screening room in Moscow, ironically escaping the violence-tinged hedonism of Putin’s Russia by watching a Cold War hero kill people. Viewing The Wolf Of Wall Street in Cobble Hill Cinemas on a Christmas Day early in our time in NYC, everyone tipsy and wooping as Leo loaded up with ludes on screen. Seeing Lion in that same theater, alone, with tears streaming down my face, on my first solo trip after my son was born.
Cobble Hill Cinemas, Brooklyn (image by AJ Lee)
I love every bit of the cinema experience, especially when the theater is well-used and a little idiosyncratic, like me. And so it was a particular delight to recently take my first trip to the Rosendale Theatre to see the brilliant Norwegian Oscar-runner The Worst Person in the World. Feeling warm from pre-cinema beer & gossip with friends, a paper cup of BjornQorn in hand, I felt that sense of anticipation as the lights dimmed, enjoying the imperfect intimacy of others’ nearby shuffling and searching for dropped possessions with iPhone flashlights. Before the trailers began, Executive Director, Carrie Wykoff, welcomed us personally and teased a few of the other events coming up, followed by a brief “sound performance” of birdsong from Australia during which we were all encouraged to close our eyes. The passion for arts and culture was palpable. As an audience, we collectively laughed and sighed as the film transported us to the streets of Oslo, attending parties with attractive Scandinavians, flirting and hurting and smoking and crying, all from our low slung seats in upstate NY. Together, we clapped when it ended.
It was the perfect communal evening in a space that is — in Carrie’s own words — “by the people, for the people and of the people.” The Theatre first start showing movies on the side when it was ‘Rosendale Casino’ in 1905, and over the last century it has variously hosted movies, square dancing, vaudeville theater and burlesque shows. It is now a full time movie theater and performance space after it was saved from closure in 2009 by the ‘Rosendale Theatre Collective’ — a volunteer coalition created with the sole purpose of buying and preserving the theatre. The Board of Advisors includes cinema luminaries who live locally, including actors Aidan Quinn, David Strathairn, Melissa Leo and Mandy Patinkin, and the Collective is now a certified 501(c)3 run entirely by the goodwill and skill of its volunteer team, lead by Carrie. In August last year, the Theatre opened its doors again after a pandemic-induced hiatus, and the team has exciting plans to ensure its status as a cultural hub in the Hudson Valley.
The Collective has already proven its commitment to hosting an eclectic mix of high quality movies including independent gems from the likes of Pedro Almodovar, kids favorites like Encanto, plus theatre screenings (like National Theatre LIVE) and — coming soon — actual live performances. I was lucky enough to catch up with Carrie to get her perspective on the role of Rosendale Theatre in the community, and their plans for the future.
Carrie Wykoff welcoming visitors to the Rosendale Theatre (image by AJ Lee)
AJ Lee: Carrie, thank you for taking the time — I know you and your team are extremely busy running the space and launching new projects. I’d love to know what drew you, personally, to getting involved with the Rosendale Theatre?
Carrie Wykoff: I was drawn to the communal effort that took place to save the theatre. We had heard that the Cacchio Family was having to sell and all kinds of people from Rosendale and beyond banded together to raise the money to buy the building and the business. This place to me is the epitome of community spirit and service for the greater good.
AL: Why do you believe art is important for the area, and what is Rosendale Theatre's role in supporting an inclusive community?
CW: Art brings people together. We gather and have a communal experience that can shift us, educate and inspire us. When we participate and react together it makes things come from a group experience, and not solely a personal one that a person can have on their TV or computer.
The old projector at Rosendale Theatre (image by AJ Lee)
AL: I couldn’t agree more, and thank you for creating those opportunities for those of us in the community. There is a lot happening at the Theatre right now. What is your vision for the next 5-10 years?
CW: The vision that the Collective has is expanded use of the building for workshops, events, rentals, live performances, films with special guests and panels, youth programs and more. We will also have a thriving Tavern soon for gathering and communal events.
These experiences were so thwarted during the pandemic and we feel people are hungry to get together again. I also envision a larger support staff that will always continue to involve volunteers and the voice of the community. The Rosendale Theatre Collective will always need and rely on the support of our community. Our theatre is by the people, for the people and of the people and we always must operate in that manner.
AL: You have an impressive mix of professionals from the world of film on your board of advisors. What excites you about being part of a growing artistic community in the Hudson Valley?
CW: We do! We also recognize that we have a lot of new artistic neighbors neighbors who we need to bring into the Collective. With so much video on demand, audiences are not satisfied with just seeing a film, they want a one of a kind experience. We will continue to invite filmmakers and performers to our stage to offer unique content. The artistic neighbors can help us offer this.
A silhouette of Alfred Hitchcock in Rosendale Theatre (image by AJ Lee)
AL: As we wrap up, I’d love to know what's the most surprising & delightful thing about the Theatre that people might not know?
CW: We have launched a Live Theatre Season for the first time! Ann Citron, a founding Collective member and our previous Director, is now our Theatre Arts Director. She is producing all of the offerings. We are holding auditions and attracting some of the best talent in the Hudson Valley. Our next live play is "A Doll's House 2," I have met the cast and crew and I can tell you this show is going to be stunning! The play opens on May 19th and more information can be found on our website.
Thank you, Carrie, for all that you and your team do to invest in our community and bring us together. I’m sure a lot of people will be excited to get more involved in supporting the Theatre — I know I want to!
Don’t miss the upcoming showing of ‘A Birder’s Guide To Everything’ by friend-of-the-newsletter and super talented writer / director Rob Meyer showing at Rosendale Theatre on Saturday April 23rd. And sign up here if you want to volunteer to support the Theatre.