The Bud Frank Theatre has undergone significant renovations alongside the redesign for Gilbreath Hall. These renovations welcome new opportunities for the space as an on-campus cinema.

Chelsea Wessels and Matthew Holtmeier, co-directors of the film and media studies program, have taken the lead on this project, which began back in 2018. The pair explained that their inspirations for turning the theatre into a cinema space come from the potential of bringing more films to Johnson City. Film distributions work in two circuits, arts and commercial, which results in different films being provided to different cinemas at varying times. This means that many note-worthy films may never make it to the Johnson City area at all.

“. . . This doesn’t currently exist in Johnson City. There is no venue for the kinds of films that we plan to bring here,” said Wessels “I think this is significant both for ETSU and for the community to create another way to engage with the arts, particularly with independent film and art cinema.”

A booker has been hired at the university specifically to connect with film distributers and set up relationships in order to provide films to the theatre. Brand new equipment has also been installed, with a 4K projector, flywall screen and surround sound to turn the space into a high quality cinema. According to Holtmeier, it was important to include high-grade equipment in this space in order to “do that art justice,” in reference to the films being shown.

The funding for these renovations was provided by the Office of the President, the College of Arts and Sciences, and the Department of Literature and Language. Additionally, the Mary B. Martin School of the Arts has provided funding for the cinema’s first year of operation.

Exterior photo of the Bud Frank Theatre. (Gabriella Collins/East Tennessean)

“. . . These are global experiences that we’re bringing to Johnson City,” says Holtmeier. “. . . these are films that are playing around the world, and we don’t have access to them.”

The theatre was previously used as a classroom space, and go-to spot for theatre productions. However, as productions have began to shift over to the Martin Center, the theatre is now open as a versatile space for movie screenings, productions, rehearsals and as a classroom. There are also plans to include a concession stand for the theatre in the future, with the goal of serving a variety of refreshments, including traditional movie theater snacks.

The theatre will not only be used to show films distributed to ETSU, but also show the work of visiting filmakers, as well as students. Wessels and Holtmeier are excited to be able to “honor the vision of the filmaker(s),” whose work will be screened in this space.

“I think the space will have a broad reach in terms of who it impacts,” says Holtmeier. “Yes, we’re creating new opportunities that don’t exist for, you know, the cinephiles and the potential cinephiles and the communities that will engage in that way, but I think it will have a wider range of impact than that.”

The theatre’s cinema experience is currently operating on a soft launch, and is set to eventually open up every Friday through Sunday. The theatre is open to the public, and will be showcasing films throughout the remainder of this semester. These films include: “Annihilation” on Oct. 24, “Rocky Horror Picture Show” on Oct. 30, “Frankenstein” on Nov. 5 and “White Christmas” on Dec. 1.

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