Downtown theater adjusts course

posted by Michael Zoldessy on July 14, 2008 at 7:34 am

CONCORD, NH — The recently opened Red River Theatres is experiencing some growing pains as it figures out how to be successful in today’s marketplace.

Concord filmgoers want to see films that are edgy, local and touch on contemporary social issues. They are supportive of independent films but susceptible to market forces that keep independent films out of the spotlight in favor of commercial hits.

These are some of the lessons that the staff of Red River Theatres have learned since the nonprofit independent movie theater opened in October.

On Monday, the Concord City Council may consider a request by the theater for an $18,000 grant to cover the cost of its property taxes. But property taxes are one small portion of the expenses that the theater faces. In the eight months it has been open to the public, Interim Executive Director Connie Rosemont said, staff have been monitoring revenue and attendance, figuring out what expenses loom on the horizon, and working to adjust their business plan accordingly. The theater’s total annual operating budget is approximately $735,000.

Read the full story in the Concord Monitor.