SHREVEPORT, LA – Located in downtown Shreveport, the Robinson Film Center is Louisiana’s only independent, not-for-profit theater with an in-house restaurant, Abby Singer’s Bistro. This two-part theater is known for offering unique experiences through precise film selections and distinctive food pairings, as well as membership exclusives.
On March 16, Robinson Film Center temporarily closed its doors to visitors, due to the COVID-19 public health emergency. As a direct result of the world-wide pandemic, Robinson Film Center is experiencing a deep decline in sales and is currently operating on approximately 5 percent of their standard revenue. Despite the drastic plunge of revenue, the theater continues to connect with viewers through their virtual programs.
“We saw numbers drop the week leading up to the governor’s announcement,” said Meghan Hochstetler, executive director of Robinson Film Center. “We immediately took precaution to ensure that our customers felt safe in our doors, but we continued to see numbers plummet once the ‘Stay at Home’ order was put in place. Now, we’re doing all that we can to survive this pandemic while also prioritizing our moviegoers and bistro guests.”
Standing firm in its mission, the Robinson Film Center created a virtual program that educates, enriches and entertains viewers through the power of film. These virtual programs include a recommended film that can be streamed through a popular TV/movie subscription or rental service, as well as interactive activities, such as open discussion forums, simple recipes, and more. The most recent virtual programs featured films such as The Cat in the Hat, Moulin Rouge, and Under the Skin. The virtual programs are updated weekly with new movies and activities. To stay up-to date on the Robinson Film Center’s weekly virtual programming, visit www.robinsonfilmcenter.org.
“When given such tight parameters and an even tighter timeline, we had to get creative to thrive,” said Hochstetler. “The Robinson Film Center has been a vital part of the arts community since 2002, and we’re ready to return stronger than ever through our passions of film and food.”
Abby Singer’s Bistro is currently offering weekly curbside pick-up orders of family-size meals, every Friday from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. All orders must be placed by noon on the Wednesday prior to pick-up. To place an order, email abbysingersbistro@gmail.com with your name, order, and phone number. The weekly pick-up offers can be found on the Robinson Film Center Facebook page or at www.robinsonfilmcenter.org.
To make an in-kind donation, purchase a gift certificate, or to become an exclusive member of the Robinson Film Center, visit www.robinsonfilmcenter.org. For more information about things to do in Shreveport-Bossier, visit www.Shreveport-Bossier.org.
