Preserving History: Group Unveils Fourth Movie Theatre at Latchis

Latchis Four

By Jaime Cone, Brattleboro Reformer, June 9, 2010

BRATTLEBORO -- Seven years after the Brattleboro Arts Initiative purchased the Latchis building, its members are finally seeing their efforts pay off in a big way, with the completion of one of its main goals.

The Brattleboro Arts Initiative Tuesday evening hosted the grand premier of Latchis 4, the newest addition to the Latchis Theatre.

Latchis 4 is adjacent to the Latchis Theatre, in the space the New England Youth Theater called home before it moved to its new location on Flat Street. The transformation of the space began late last fall and cost $260,000, said Gail Nunziata, managing director of the Latchis.

"It's a way to say thank you to major donors," explained Nunziata.

The Brattleboro Arts Initiative is a nonprofit organization dedicated to developing and promoting functional spaces for the production, exhibition and teaching of the performing and visual arts.

BAI showed off the theater's new surround sound speakers and retractable screen by showing a 10-minute movie. Attendees were treated to sweets and a champagne toast.

Nunziata, Ben James, president of the BAI board of directors, and Paul Bruhn, executive director of the Preservation Trust of Vermont, gave short speeches.

The preservation trust has been involved in the process since the The trust also worked very closely with the Latchis family on an acquisition plan, then with the Brattleboro Arts Initiative to raise funds for acquisition, explained Bruhn. It also helped attain an earmark from Sen. Patrick Leahy to do work on the building.beginning. It played a role in the acquisition of the property when it changed hands from the Latchis family to BAI.

 

"The Brattleboro Arts Initiative and the Latchis Corp., which operates the building, have really done a terrific job over last several years making incremental improvements in the property," said Bruhn.

"They weren't just satisfied with having the property as it was; they have slowly been making a lot of improvements to the building and the operation, and this is just one example of that," Bruhn added.

Nunziata said that after years of making those improvements to the building that go largely unnoticed, it's rewarding to introduce something that will receive attention from the community as well as daily use.

"We spend a lot of time on projects that nobody can see," Nunziata said. "They are very important to the infrastructure of the building, but it's not directly something the community can get behind. We felt it was time to do something that would enhance the complex in a different way."

Latchis 4 was designed to be versatile. It has retracting risers and removable seating, creating open space when nonprofits or other local organizations rent the room for gatherings or events. It is also equipped with stage lighting, suitable for live performances.

The unfinished open space in front of the new theater will eventually be renovated as well. With windows that look out onto Main Street, the space is ideal for a gallery/green room, Nunziata said.

It adjoins Latchis 4 and could be a hangout spot for performers before and after a show, as well as an entry-way into Latchis 4, she added.

Latchis 4 joins three other theaters in the Latchis building; the addition makes it easier to negotiate with movie companies because the theater can now show at least three different movies every day, regardless of whether one of the spaces is being used for an event.

"It gives us a lot more flexibility, and it works," Nunziata said. "It keeps the movie company in our court and helps keep the main theater available (for other uses). Everybody wins."

Latchis 4 was even able to maintain some of its historical integrity; to everyone's surprise, the original, ornate molding on one of Latchis 4's wall was still intact behind the black wall erected by the New England Youth Theater.

Nunziata said BAI was fortunate to be able to purchase such a well-kept piece of Brattleboro history. Owned by the Latchis family for more than six decades, the property was never closed down during economic hard times, and it was not subjected to the same fate as many run-down movie theaters, ones that were not restored until residents rallied to save them from being knocked down, Nunziata said.

"This building was never in that position," she said. "The Latchis family owned it, operated it and took care of it ... we just get the chance to make it better."

And the Brattleboro Arts Initiative will continue to make improvements. One project currently in the works is the installation of 3-D capability in the upstairs "ballroom" theater. The first 3-D showing of the movie "Despicable Me," starring Steve Carell, is tentatively scheduled for July 9.