JBFC out of Rehab with Plush Seats, More Leg Room and Hearing Loop Technology

admin Posted OnMay 1, 2023

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The Jacob Burns Film Center (JBFC), a nonprofit cultural institution, recently completed refurbishing its three ground-floor theaters. The work significantly improves the moviegoing experience and refreshes the original theaters from the JBFC’s 2001 opening.

Movie goers will be happy to discover the plush new seats, improved cup holders, new carpets and LED lighting on aisle armrests and steps for safety in the ground floor theaters. And three cheers for more leg room in theaters two and three. JBFC also installed new handrails in Theaters one and two and increased the number of designated accessible seats for those with limited physical mobility for vision loss.

Cineastes and other discerning audience members will be thrilled with the new screen in Theater One, the improved sound baffling in Theater Two. The updated Hearing Loop technology which works with an individual’s own T-coil enabled hearing aid or cochlear implant in all three theaters is good news for seniors and the hearing impaired. Finally, patrons of JBFC’s special events featuring guest speakers and post-screening Q&A’s will appreciate the new onstage lighting and sight lines in Theater Two.

Check out JBFC’s new space at some great upcoming programming

“With these multiple refurbishments, the theatergoing experience matches the world class curation of our programming team,” said Mary Jo Ziesel, Executive Director of the Jacob Burns Film Center. “We’re thrilled to unveil the upgraded facilities just in time for the Jewish Film Festival, our concert doc series Sounds of Summer, Pride Month programming, and eagerly-anticipated new releases such as Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse, Barbie, Oppenheimer, and Asteroid City.”

New Wine Bar Coming in the Fall

Further renovations are underway at JBFC to add a wine bar and casual seating in the Jane Peck Gallery, on the top floor of the Theater. It’s opening is scheduled for the fall.

KG+D Architects, recently named “Firm of the Year” by the American Institute of Architects New York State Chapter (AIANYS), collaborated with JBFC on the refurbishing project. As did Yorke Construction Corporation who has previously worked on performing arts spaces at Jazz at Lincoln Center and the Metropolitan Opera. Charcoalblue, the world’s leading integrated theater, acoustic, and experience consultancy service, whose experience includes projects for Steppenwolf Theatre Company, Royal Shakespeare Theatre, and Sydney Theatre Company also collaborated on this project. The project was made possible thanks to the David Swope Fund, the Regional Economic Development Council Initiative, and many generous donors. Theater One has been renamed the “David Swope Theater” in memory of founding JBFC Board Member and Chairman Emeritus David Swope who passed away y in 2018..