New Life in Lansdowne

Sometimes, when we’re lucky, life brings things back around.  Matt Schultz moved to Lansdowne when he was 8 years old.  Growing up among the leafy streets in this closeknit community was idyllic and though he has worked around the world for organizations near and far including Disney and Philadelphia’s Avenue of the Arts Inc., Matt never lost touch with his hometown. Today, he finds himself back living in Delaware County, in a wonderful old house two doors down from where he grew up.  The question however is whether his deep roots will help him tackle a great community challenge. Can Matt, with his easygoing manner and warm smile, re-open the doors of the Lansdowne Theater?

Opened in 1927 as a grand movie palace, the Lansdowne Theater had fallen on hard times but was still hanging on until the night of July 3, 1987.  During a showing of Beverly Hills Cop 2, there was a fire in the basement and while the 100 people in the audience got out safely, it turned out to be the night the1,500 seat theatre would go dark.  The once resplendent landmark on Lansdowne’s main street and the place where the community had gathered over the generations was closed.

For the next 15 years the Theater continued to deteriorate, and the business district struggled.  In 2005, State Representative Nicholas Micozzie reached out to community leadership, including Matt who had since returned to Lansdowne, looking for ideas for what could help change the town landscape and bring vitality back to the Borough.   While there were many possibilities, the Theater was the obvious opportunity and with Representative Micozzie’s help and the dedication of many volunteers, the Historic Lansdowne Theater Corporation was able to take ownership of the building and begin the process of figuring out what would be next for this landmark. 

In his current role as Executive Director of the Historic Lansdowne Theater Corporation, Matt loves connecting with the people he remembers from growing up in Lansdowne – and their grandkids as well.  As Matt says “”Remember me from 3rd grade?” is not an uncommon question.”  His mom taught in the local school district for 25 years, and just last week 3 of her past students contacted him wanting to get involved with the Theater.  “This effort is about economic development and arts access but it is really about the needs of the community in a broad sense” says Matt. 

Since it is the last of its kind locally that has not been redeveloped the Lansdowne Theater’s majestic space is intact, but requires major renovation.  Starting slowly, Matt and the Board of HLTC found two great tenants for the first floor retail spaces – a very popular local coffee shop and a microcinema.  These two enterprises have brought life and activity back to the building.   The warm and welcoming coffee shop, which features local art and hosts performances, has seen its business increase 80% since setting up shop at the Theater.  The films shown at the microcinema, along with the new historically accurate awnings out front, have set the tone for the what will come in the future for the rest of the Theater space.

Now, Matt is looking for arts groups, volunteers, contributions, and ideas – he is looking for people to get engaged.  “The Lansdowne Theater is not an eyesore, it is an opportunity.  It is unique to our community, and will become part of all the activities going on in Lansdowne from the Twentieth Century Club to the Arts Festival.” He wants people to know that if they support this effort in the long run they will be supported by it.  As Matt says “Anything worthwhile takes effort. It is incumbent on our community to take advantage of this opportunity.  It’s attainable.”

Want to be part of history?  Come to the Lansdowne Theater in April to check out the first public performance in over twenty years.  For more information, visit Phillyfunguide.com