The green dumpster in front of the Athena Cinema at 20 S. Court St., Athens, has been a common sight since the departure of Ohio University students for summer break but movie listings still fill the billboard above the ticket booth of the Cinema.
Athena Cinema, Ohio University owned and operated by the Fine Arts department, has been established since 1915 and was first named The Majestic. With well over 100 years of operation, it is no surprise that the theater was informed last year that it would have to go through some structural repairs.
Back in May 2023, Athens Cinema director Alex Kamody recalls receiving a message concerning the future of the cinema while she was out of town for a conference. The message indicated that they would be forced to close immediately, later revealed that it was mostly a precautionary decision to ensure everyone’s safety. After months of closing up everything except the administrative offices, they opened up the lobby and then one of the three screens, located upstairs.
Kamody has worked for the Athena Cinema since she was a student, an English major at Ohio University. Her mentor at the time, Ruth Bradley, ran the Athens International Film Festival. Kamody said she started doing office work and worked her way up to director throughout her years of loyalty with the theater. This has been the first time anything like this has occurred to the theater in the 15 plus years she has been an employee of the Athena Cinema.
When asked if there’s fear of future complete closure Kambody confidently negated. “These are all board approved repairs so the construction has been budgeted and there’s obvious need for the repairs.”
The good news is, they have been creative enough to come up with ways to remain at least partially open and keep a revenue flow to ensure a strong future for the cinema. Once the lobby reopened, they had small events inside the lobby and sold concessions as a way of revenue and then began the sale of tickets for outside of the theater venue screenings.
Athena Cinema has been running events and screenings through the last year of repairs through showings at The Ridges auditorium as well as Movies on the Rooftop: showings on the top floor of the city parking garage. The next rooftop showing that Kamody and co-workers are excited about is The Birds, showing on Aug. 10. The only change for the rooftop showings this summer from last is they are asking everyone to bring their own chairs. If attendees are unable to bring their own chair, they may rent one for an additional fee.
Additional unique programs the Athena has offered is Paint & Sip, led by Brooke Ripley, an instructional class on painting while viewing and incorporating a classic film into the painting and a monthly Ceramics at the Cinema class led by Emily Beveridge, which will coordinate with The Birds showing in August. The shaped and fired bisqueware is provided and participants glaze and design their own based upon the movie showing during the class. There are three different levels offered beginning at $30.
“Beat the Heat” is a continued summer program, screenings of kid- and family-oriented movies on Saturday afternoons. Sales of these tickets are donated to local organizations. The Athena chooses a different organization each week to donate these ticket sales to.
When asked if there was an update as to when the theater would open back to normal operations, Kamody said they are unsure of an exact date at this time. The initial plan to reopen was February of 2024, however, there have been a lot of unforeseen issues arise within the construction such as sales chain issues with necessary materials, chipping paint and roof reconstruction due to the structure of the 100+ year old building. Kamody says any and all obstacles that have risen can and will be repaired and the theater will reopen. Reiterating, the exact date is unknown and later than expected but they want to ensure all is cleared for safety and everything is done complete before rushing to reopening.
The year in reconstruction has added to Kamody’s already full plate as a theater director. Though she seems unfazed by the inconveniences of the repair issues and has only caused her to think and act on her toes in more creative ways. Some regular responsibilities of the director are programming and general operations, grant writing and partnerships and ensuring the mission statement of the Athena Cinema is upheld: to show films that would not otherwise be shown such as independent films, local and International films and live shows and experimental and avant garde films. In addition, to create shared space for Ohio University and the community.
Kamody well supports the Athena Cinema’s mission in providing a literal well supported foundation as well as a local support in general stating “everyone should have an opportunity to discover theater.” One large opportunity for that is the ability for campus and community groups such as Lost Flamingo, the Athens County dog shelter, multicultural groups, etc. to rent out the cinema.
Kamody assures that the theater will re-open as soon as all repairs are complete and repaired thoroughly and safely and the theater will look the same as it always has.
Kamody encourages the community to help support the theater especially now. She says some ways community members can contribute to the theater’s support is by simply attending films and programs, considering the theater for private rentals including life events such as birthday parties, and by becoming members. The Athena has four different membership packages all varying in cost and benefits or you can choose to just donate in any amount. Information pertaining to the membership packages can be viewed on the webpage at: athenacinema.com/join-support/memberships
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