OGT CLOSING TEMPORARILY DUE TO EXECUTIVE ORDER ON COVID-19

Dear members and patrons,

Since the Friends of Greenbelt Theatre reopened the Old Greenbelt Theatre on May 1, 2015, we have prided ourselves on never going a day without showing a movie. We’ve been there through snow days, every Federal holiday, a major renovation, and all the quiet normal days in between. It’s not some sort of stunt to keep a streak going, it’s because we love what we do and are committed to being here as a resource for the community. 

Today we will close our doors for the first time for the same reasons: we take our role in the community seriously and cannot run the risk of being a site of transmission.

Starting today (Friday, March 13), the Old Greenbelt Theatre will be closed. We will work closely with the City of Greenbelt to monitor the situation and decide on a reopening date. All special events – where possible – will be rescheduled. And, of course, if you have bought tickets for an event that is now postponed, we will honor those tickets at the future show. If you’ve already purchased a ticket for an event, you will receive an email shortly.

However, we also know that at a time like this community connection remains as important as ever. We are working on plans to continue our programming in a way that will allow you to still participate with film and film education from the safety and comfort of your home. Please keep an eye out for our weekly Tuesday email for instructions on how to participate. We’ll have a little something for everyone, and we hope it makes these days of stress and anxiety easier to cope with and just a bit brighter.

During our closure, we will also be working on a plan for reopening safely, as the landscape of movie-going may change for a while even after we can open our doors again. 

This will be a difficult time for us as a staff – as Executive Director I am responsible for a staff of 10 – and for that reason closing the theater was not an easy decision to make, but it is clearly the right one at this time. As I said in the beginning, we love what we do, and that has not changed. Keep an eye out for virtual programming coming from us soon. We hope to break the tedium of self-isolation and continue to serve as a valued community resource. 

Thank you for your understanding and support. We hope you all stay safe and well. We look forward to seeing you at the movies before too long.

Take care,
Caitlin 

Caitlin McGrath
Executive Director
Friends of Greenbelt Theatre

COMING SOON

Hail Satan?

(95 minutes R) 2019 CC Penny Lane, director

Opens Jun 5

Purchase Screening ($5)

Chronicling the extraordinary rise of one of the most colorful and controversial religious movements in American history, Hail Satan? is an inspiring and entertaining new feature documentary from acclaimed director Penny Lane (Nuts!, Our Nixon). When media-savvy members of the Satanic Temple organize a series of public actions designed to advocate for religious freedom and challenge corrupt authority, they prove that with little more than a clever idea, a mischievous sense of humor, and a few rebellious friends, you can speak truth to power in some truly profound ways. As charming and funny as it is thought-provoking, Hail Satan? offers a timely look at a group of often misunderstood outsiders whose unwavering commitment to social and political justice has empowered thousands of people around the world.

Shirley

(107 minutes R) 2020 Josephine Decker, director

Opens Jun 5

Renowned horror writer Shirley Jackson is on the precipice of writing her masterpiece when the arrival of newlyweds upends her meticulous routine and heightens tensions in her already tempestuous relationship with her philandering husband. The middle-aged couple, prone to ruthless barbs and copious afternoon cocktails, begins to toy mercilessly with the naïve young couple at their door. Special One-Night Only Screening and Q&A with Elizabeth Moss on Saturday June 6. Click here for tickets to specialty screening.