Those who work for Mary D. Fisher Theatre — as well patrons who enjoy what it offers — are feeling a bit of déjà vu.
For the second time during the COVID-19 pandemic, the theater is scheduling a reopening with the hopes that this time its doors remain open. It is set to greet moviegoers on Friday, Aug. 28.
In June, when Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey began lifting restrictions, the theater opened for a short time before Ducey closed theaters again.
“We are so excited to reopen because it was devastating to get the news in June that after two weeks we had to close,” said Patrick Schweiss, the artistic director of the Sedona International Film Festival, which owns the theater. “People were just starting to feel comfortable coming back to the theater. We understood. The governor made the right choice and it had to be done. We just want to see people and have that human interaction again and let them see films how they were intended — on the big screen.”
That said, there is a bit of reluctance.
“Last time we didn’t think it could happen again,” Schweiss said of having to close again in June. “This time we realize it’s very real that it could easily happen again.
To prepare for that, we’re not planning too far ahead. We’re being cautiously optimistic. Anyone in our theater is a success, whether that’s five, 10 or 30. Just getting people to feel comfortable about coming back out again is a success for us.”
In order to protect moviegoers and staff, the theater is implementing several safety measures. These include the installation of air scrubbers as well as ultraviolet wands that will be used by staff to sanitize the seats, doors and counters.
In addition, masks will be worn by staff and volunteers and be requested of patrons when going to and from their seats. And, temperature checks will be conducted every shift for staff. Those looking to buy goods from the concession will be able to do so ahead of time to avoid congregating in the lobby.
“We want people to feel safe and comfortable,” Schweiss said. “Our protocol for cleaning is exceptional. We’re following all the guidelines from the city, county and state. We technically could open at 50% capacity, but we’re not. We’re opening at athird for everyone’s safety. We’re hoping everyone [theaters throughout the state] will be following the same safety standards as we are so that we all can get through this together.”
During the pandemic and the closures, theater members have stepped up financially, which has allowed Schweiss and his staff to continue getting paid. Because any fall fundraisers hosted by the Sedona International Film Festival are on hold for now and no small grant funding was awarded to the festival by the Sedona City Council this year, Schweiss said they knew they had to look for other funding sources.
As a way to fill in the gaps — both financially and in terms of seating — the theater is taking a page from Major League Baseball. As part of their new Take Your Seat campaign, patrons can have acutout picture of themselves attached to the 75 seats that will not be in use. The cost is $125 for theater members and $150 for non-members. Once the first 75 are sold, any additional ones will be hung in the window of the theater’s lobby or may be rotated in.
“We felt this was away to recoup some of those funds as well as away for our members to have some fun with it,” he said. “Plus, it gives the illusion of afull theater. We think it’s going to take off. People need some levity right now and something to smile about.”
For more information on the Take Your Seat program, call 282-1177 or log on to SedonaFilmFestival.org.
