The historic movie theater on Hill Street — long a cultural anchor in Southampton Village — has undergone a sweeping transformation over the past several years. After sitting dark since the start of the pandemic, the 1932 building entered a new era when Hill Street Cinema LLC purchased the property for $8 million in late 2022, setting in motion a revival that is now reshaping the local arts landscape.

From Sale to Restoration

Throughout 2023, scaffolding and construction teams signaled steady progress as the aging building underwent major repairs. Restoration efforts focused on stabilizing the landmarked façade, addressing structural deterioration, removing mold from the long-vacant interior, and updating essential systems. The careful preservation work reinforced that the theater’s iconic character would remain central to its future.

Introducing the Southampton Playhouse

In 2024, Aby and Charlie Rosen publicly shared their long-term vision: the creation of The Southampton Playhouse, a nonprofit arts and film hub designed to serve the entire East End. Rather than a private club or commercial redevelopment, the Playhouse would bring a fully restored cultural space back to life with year-round programming, educational opportunities, and first-run and classic films.

Plans included four theaters — among them a state-of-the-art IMAX screen, two stadium-seating auditoriums, and a flexible performance venue — along with a redesigned lobby, cafe, bookstore, and spaces intended for conversation, community events, and daytime gathering.

Leadership & Programming Take Shape

As construction neared completion, the Playhouse named its inaugural leadership: Maria A. Ruiz Botsacos as executive director and Eric Kohn as artistic director, both bringing deep industry expertise. Their arrival signaled the next phase of building a forward-looking cultural institution rooted in programming excellence.

2025: The Lights Go Back On

In February 2025, nearly five years after the cinema closed its doors, the Southampton Playhouse officially reopened with a surprise Valentine’s weekend debut. The opening lineup featured a mix of new releases, IMAX documentaries, and classics — including films honoring the theater’s original 1932 opening year.

Later that year, the Playhouse expanded its programming with The Scorsese Family Experience, a year-round film series curated by Martin and Francesca Scorsese, offering families access to cinema history and deepening the Playhouse’s community-focused mission.

A Cultural Revival for Southampton

What began in 2022 as the sale of a shuttered movie house has now become one of the most significant arts revitalizations on the South Fork. With restored historic architecture, cutting-edge theaters, nonprofit leadership, and an expanding calendar of film and cultural events, the Southampton Playhouse is poised to serve as a vibrant gathering place for generations to come.

🔗 https://www.27east.com/southampton-press/southampton-playhouse-set-to-open-this-weekend-2340916/

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