Fargo Theatre Opens Big Screen #2: Q&A with Executive Director Margie Bailly

On Friday, May 15, the Fargo Theatre officially opens its long-awaited second screen space with a press conference at 4pm, followed by a public reception from 5pm to 7pm.  At 7pm the new screen will host 2009 Fargo Film Festival animation favorite “Sita Sings the Blues.” 

Grand opening events continue through the weekend, with several showings of “Happy Feet” on Saturday morning and afternoon, and a special program featuring some of the best movies of the 2009 Fargo Film Festival beginning at 7pm.  The 7pm program on Saturday, May 16 includes “Hot Dog,” “Las Gafas,” “Harvest Moon,” and the wildly popular documentary feature “Abel Raises Cain.”  World-class hoaxer and raconteur Alan Abel will be returning to the theatre in person to help the staff members inaugurate the brand new space.

Finally, on Sunday, May 17, the new screen will be the home to four showings of “Sweet Land,” filmmaker Ali Selim’s adaptation of Will Weaver’s story. Tickets for the weekend events are available at the Fargo Theatre box office.

HPR:  First of all, let me say congratulations to you and the staff of the Fargo Theatre on the completion of the gorgeous new space.  Having been able to see it go from an empty shell to a beautiful place to screen movies, I can say that it was worth the wait. How long has this project been in development?  I seem to remember people talking about it years ago…
Margie Bailly:  The original 1994 plans for the renovation of the historic Fargo Theatre included expansion into the south parking lot area to include an expanded lobby and a second screen and a small performance area.  As Fargo Theatre development director I revisited the original feasibility study interviews and ascertained that the potential major donors did not perceive a need for the new space – wanting their dollars to go toward the renovation project instead.  We decided to do the renovation project and live in our revitalized space for a few years and then build or move into existent close-by available space. 

We completed the ten-month renovation in March of 1999.  It has taken us ten years to arrive at this point – the birth of our new theatre – which is a very good outcome in light of the fact that the downtown area has changed enormously in this ten-year period.  Downtown Fargo has demonstrated significant residential growth and of course, the downtown university campuses have been implemented as well.  We signed the papers for our loading dock easement for the Kilbourne Group project in August of 2006.  The theatre project was announced in June of 2007.  The new theatre framing then started in the fall of 2007, so it has been a rather long gestation period!

HPR:  Tell us a little bit about the space itself.  How many people does it accommodate?  What are the projection options?
MB:  The new space has occupancy for 99 and will seat 76.  The projection capacity includes 35mm motion picture film, DVD projection and power point presentation accommodation.  There will be some theatrical lighting and sound separate from the projection system.

HPR:  Will this space be primarily used to screen movies?  What other kinds of things can the public expect for the new space?
MB:  The space will be used to expand our first run theatrical release film programming and to be available to move film product from the main theatre when we have live events on stage.  We also envision multiple daytime uses to include corporate meetings, family and senior matinees, and birthday parties for children.  Additional evening rentals will likely include private film screenings and receptions and specialty film series and presentations. 

HPR:  The grand opening program includes some of the favorites from the Fargo Film Festival.  How will the new screen be utilized during the film festival’s tenth anniversary?
MB:  The tenth anniversary of the Fargo Film Festival will serve as a terrific showcase for the new attached state-of-the-art second screen space.  The lobby area outside of the theatre that is connected to the enclosed atrium will be a great festival gathering space. 

As we stated in our “birth announcement” press release, the new space has the DNA of its parent theatre in physical characteristics and technical capacity.  It is a beautiful jewel-like space that will serve the entire community in many unique ways.  The space reflects and embraces our past and positions the Fargo Theatre to respond with contemporary technology to multiple diverse and emerging audiences.