The Avon Theatre – Deborah & Chuck Royce Cinema Arts Center marked a pivotal moment in its 87-year history on July 23, 2026, as Stamford Mayor Caroline Simmons, community leaders, elected officials, donors, and supporters gathered to break ground on the Avon Recreated transformation project. The ceremonial event signaled the start of a comprehensive reconstruction and expansion designed to preserve the theater’s historic character while establishing it as one of the Northeast’s most advanced independent cinema and arts centers.
Once completed, the new Avon Theatre campus will feature a fully restored historic theatre, three state-of-the-art screening venues—including a new third theatre dedicated to education, community programming, and emerging filmmakers—and a dedicated Education Center and classroom. The expansion also includes a welcoming Café, Wine Bar, and community gathering space, premium stadium-style seating, and new luxury theatre seating for enhanced comfort. Technological upgrades will include cutting-edge 4K HDR BARCO Laser Projection Systems and immersive Dolby Atmos® sound in the main theatre, with advanced surround sound throughout the complex. Comprehensive ADA accessibility improvements will enhance entrances, elevators, seating, restrooms, and patron amenities, while modern audiovisual technology and expanded lobby and hospitality spaces aim to encourage community engagement before and after every film.
Construction is expected to be substantially complete by September 2027, with a grand public reopening anticipated in late October 2027. During construction, the Avon will continue its mission through the Avon on Tour initiative, which brings films, discussions, and educational programs to venues across Fairfield County, including the Ferguson Library, The Bruce Museum, Darien Library, Mill River Park, and Stamford Town Center.
Board Co-Chairs Susan Cullman and Arthur Selkowitz emphasized the project’s broader significance, stating that the groundbreaking represents an investment in Stamford’s cultural future. They noted that for nearly nine decades, the Avon has served as a gathering place where stories inspire, educate, and connect the community, and the Avon Recreated project preserves that legacy while creating a world-class cinema arts center for generations to come. Executive Director Peter H. Gistelinck described the milestone as the realization of a bold vision to create a destination where film, education, culture, and community intersect, redefining the independent cinema experience with expanded educational facilities, a third screening room, a vibrant café and wine bar, luxury seating, enhanced accessibility, and state-of-the-art projection and sound systems.
The project has been made possible through collaboration among private philanthropists, foundations, public agencies, corporate partners, and hundreds of community supporters. The reconstruction will significantly expand the Avon’s capacity to present independent, international, documentary, classic, educational, and community-focused programming, strengthening its role as Fairfield County’s premier nonprofit cinema arts organization. The Avon Theatre will provide regular updates throughout construction, including milestone announcements, behind-the-scenes progress reports, and previews of the new center, leading up to its reopening in fall 2027. For more information about the Avon Theatre, Avon on Tour programming, membership opportunities, and educational initiatives, visit www.avontheatre.org.
