An Amazing Local Gem: The Prospector Theater

Reflections from our New Canaan editor, Rachel Lampen

Today, our Editors visited the Prospector Theater in Ridgefield, of which HamletHub is a sponsor. I had heard great things about the venue, which opened in November 2014. The building is large, spacious with tons of natural light. It has a licensed 'Star Bar', and the 'Heads Up Cafe' - where several kinds of fresh and naturally flavored popcorn are made daily, and four state-of-the art movie theaters. The interior is cool, with dramatic artwork, sparkling wallpaper and a running theme of shocking pink everywhere. It wasn't however, until I experienced the full guided tour - I realized what an exceptional place it was..with exceptional people running it and working there.

The Prospector Theater is a non-profit theater, providing meaningful employment for adults with disabilities. We met the Founder, Valerie Jensen, whose fuchsia pink hair is testament to her passion and dedication. She quoted that 80% of adults with disabilities were unemployed and that shocking statistic had made it her mission to change this.

The theater not only employs people with disabilities but also caters for visitors with special needs. The attention to detail is absolutely staggering - a colorful mosaic wall is so much more, having been created by a local Ridgefield artist to provide stimulation for people with autism. The seating has been carefully considered, so an able bodied person can sit next to their friend of family in a wheelchair. The largest theater has 162 seats, and the smallest only 16 seats – ideal for people with sensory issues, who may not be able to enjoy a movie in the larger theaters. The theater have closed-captioning glasses, which provide subtitles and high-quality headphones, which stream dialogue and provide descriptions of scenery, environment, etc. 

Every single item in the theater has been carefully considered, with positive messages running throughout. A striking chandelier, created by Philadelphia artist Warren Muller is made from re-purposed materials, using what some would consider to be "junk". His artwork, reinforces the strong ethos of the theater - don't automatically disregard something and instead see its potential. On the theaters website it says: "When people are offered meaningful employment and are recognized for their abilities and talents, they shine just like the pieces of our chandelier." The pink sparkling wallpaper encourages people to "sparkle, shine and turn their passions into professions".

And for moviegoers, it is all about YOUR experience - from the moment a 'Prospector' member of staff opens the front door. I have booked tickets for us to see The Spongebob Movie 3D on Saturday. The Galley Grub Menu made me smile, food items include: Krabby Patty, Squidward Calamari, Patrick Stars and Captain Hector's Crab Cakes. Valerie and her team have got it spot on, changing people's lives for the better, while keep a sense of humor.

If you would like to be involved in anyway click on this link: http://www.prospectortheater.org/memberships/

Go and see for yourself, but hurry because NBC Nightly News is filming there next week - it is about to go national (and hopefully global)

The Prospector Theater, 25 Prospect Street, Ridgefield, CT 06877 / (203) 438-0136