Talking Community with Leo Redgate

Editor's Note: With a film festival for kids opening tonight at the Fairfield Community Theatre in downtown Fairfield, the time seemed right for Fairfield Patch's Robert Greenberger's profile on Leo Redgate, who reopened the landmark theatre after it was shuttered by Loew's Cineplex in 2001.

Like so many of us, Leo Redgate loves living in Fairfield. He is also in the unique position of showing that affection in quite tangible ways. A successful Realtor, Leo saw something that needed fixing and acted.

When the Community Theatre was shuttered in 2001, he saw another longtime remnant of what the town was once poised to fade away. Instead, he took out a lease, revamped the place a bit and tried something new.

"I had no idea what I was doing when I took over the theatre," he said. "No real experience. I wasn't a movie guy, or a student of films." Seated at Las Vetas, in late April, he was brimming with enthusiasm, amazed today that the theatre next door remained in business.

On December 21, 2001, the Community Theatre reopened as a not-for-profit operation, run by high school volunteers. Second run and classic films cost $4 a ticket and it gave the town a new option.  Better, it gave the kids a chance to learn some job skills that could be taken to other venues.

My daughter Kate was among the first generation of volunteers and later Robbie became a Saturday night fixture during his high school years, giving me a long-term perspective on the theatre's positive effects. Both loved the camaraderie and felt so grown up handling the money or organizing the concession stand.

"What I wanted to do with the theatre was reflect the community; give the kids an opportunity to take ownership in something. Not everyone could be the greatest athlete/musician/student; our job as adults is to provide as many opportunities in our community to show us how great they are. They blow me away, today and since we opened," he said.

It has continued to be a wonderful starting point, but unfortunately, it was so successful for so long, proper supervision grew lax.

Last fall, two teens were arrested after being caught on camera pocketing money from the cash and tip boxes. "I was not being as attentive to who was volunteering and the bottom line is that it was a great lesson for me," he admitted. "I am now more actively involved and we need to refresh the volunteer corps, 98 percent of whom are incredible."

"Those kids were given a second chance, but they failed," Redgate noted. "But now I know they don't care about me or the theatre, they just wanted to take the money."

"The aftermath of the robbery has been incredible as people have reached out to help us like the Torch Club at Wakeman's. Different school clubs like Make a Wish at Ludlowe High School have increased our volunteer corps and they are now younger and fresher."

Shaking his head as he recollected the first significant black eye the volunteers have earned, Redgate takes responsibility but also notes, "It's different than when I started. Now I have a wife and three kids in addition to a full-time job. We're not making money on this and no place is perfect."

Originally, the theatre paid only the projectionist and a house manager but today, everyone is an unpaid volunteer. As a result, Redgate insists he's making certain the rules are clear for those donating their time to the facility, which has gained a national reputation as a model for positive community activism.   "If you're not going to do things my way, then you're not welcome to volunteer. I have to be a little more stringent, and today our leash is very short."

"I'd rather go through these lumps now, getting re-energized to commit myself to make certain the theater is renovated. I want the Community to truly become the non-profit organization we can be."

And he has big dreams. Day to day, though, he continues to pick the movies shown every week, recognizing which popular fare to book in addition to trying to make certain there are films for younger viewers on the weekends. He continues to book independent movies with a solid reputation and makes the theatre available for film festivals and special events."

In the coming months, Redgate is planning special themes such as a Jewish Film Festival and an Irish Film Festival, possibly timed to precede June's Irish Festival returning to Fairfield after a few years away. He has come to recognize the value of other kinds of programs, to make the theatre available during slow periods. He energetically tells the story of a time last year when Riverfield Elementary School wanted to book the theatre for a Friday night event. It was a slow period, after the summer films had wended their way through the second- run circuit and well before the holiday films would be available.

He agreed to turn over a prime night, in exchange for their guarantee that no admission is charged but the house be packed. Not only were both auditoriums filled, but the concession stand took in $1300 on a night that might have netted only $250 otherwise.

Beyond that, come June 1, the Community Theater Foundation will finally kick off the long gestation capital campaign that will enable Redgate to fully refurbish the theatre from top to bottom. After much wrangling, he managed to sign a new long-term lease for 30 years which includes the right to match any offer to purchase the property.

His goal is that by New Year's Day 2012, as part of the theatre's decade anniversary celebration, the place is brand new. "And I don't fail," he reminded me.

Next time we'll look at his plans and expansion into being a restaurateur.

Robert Greenberger, a former RTM member, is vice chairman of the Democratic Town Committee.