By Kate Bartlett
The historic Reg Lenna Theatre in Jamestown has been entertaining families for generations, from silent films and variety shows in the 20’s to movies in the 50’s to live events and concerts in recent years. Originally opening over 100 years ago in 1923, the theatre is a historic landmark with a story to tell, and Len Barry is committed to this cause.
Len Barry is the current Director of Marketing and Communications with Reg Lenna and has been involved with the Reg Lenna for over ten years. He has always been passionate about the arts in the area, and sought to help make the arts more accessible and relevant to the community. With a background in theatre, Len worked on stage and in arts education before moving to Jamestown in 2001. Upon relocating, he connected with a group of SUNY Potsdam graduates, who had formed Bunbury Theatre Co., joining them to direct their first production and continuing as a managing member.
town, NY and has been a vital part of the arts community for
over 100 years. For more information and a complete list of
upcoming events at the Reg Lenna, visit RegLenna.com and
follow on social media.
Len sought to become more involved in the community, so he started working with the Arts Council for Chautauqua County in 2006. Through the council, he helped place teaching artists in local schools and marketing the Youth Series, featuring a variety of live performances for school-aged children at the Civic Center. When the Arts Council and Civic Center merged in 2013 forming the Reg Lenna Center for The Arts, Len applied for the position of Marketing Director for the organization, the role he has held for the past 11 years.
As Marketing Director for the Reg Lenna, Len promotes the various films and live performances that are presented in the theater. “The arts provide a necessary form of expression, entertainment and connection,” explains Len. “Live performances enhance our lives and are important to our community. We are connected through the arts, providing a form of entertainment that can and should be accessible to all.”
Len is committed to making the arts affordable and accessible through a variety of programs at the Reg Lenna. “We run a variety of diverse programs to keep the arts vibrant in our community,” explains Len. “It’s important to keep our relationships with our past guests strong, while attracting new visitors. It’s important to us to attract a wide-range of guests, and exemplify the diversity of the arts.”
The Reg Lenna partners with other organizations in the area, including The Roger Tory Peterson Institute, Chautauqua Regional Youth Ballet, Sukanya Burman Dance Company, The Resource Center and the National Comedy Center, showcasing their events at The Reg throughout the year. “We aim to stay active in the community, promote area organizations, and showcase local talent,” explains Len. “This keeps art and theatre relevant to the community, while featuring programs that are unique to our area.”
This past year, the Reg Lenna started a memory café, one of only two in the Chautauqua Region. The café offers free respite care for those with memory or cognitive changes, including Alzheimer’s and Dementia, and their caretakers. Programs include visual art programs, crafts, yoga, and lunch on the 2nd Tuesday of the month.
Len is proud to serve as a steward for the theatre. “It’s my goal to help promote and maintain the theatre, through the presentation of programs and events at the theatre, keeping it relevant in the community. It’s an iconic building in the area, and I’m honored to continue to promote the Reg Lenna.”
The Reg is offering a diverse variety of upcoming shows over the coming months in addition to their weekly Reg Presents movie series. On January 23, comedians Joe Pickett (The Onion) and Nick Prueher (Late Show) present Found Footage Festival 11, an entertaining night of comedy taking viewers on a guided tour of their latest and greatest finds from their 14,000 VHS tapes. Highlights include a psychotic dollar store salesman, a video catalog of porcelain dolls, two wonderfully homemade Bigfoot videos, and a New Age “miracle” treatment from the 80s called “Psychic Surgery.”
March 7 brings The Simon and Garfunkel Story, an immersive concert-style theater show chronicling the amazing journey of folk-rock duo, Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel. It tells the story from their humble beginnings as Tom & Jerry to their incredible success as one of the best-selling music groups of the ‘60’s to their dramatic split in 1970.
On April 22, The Reg presents The Amazing Bubble Factory Live, bringing the amazing art of bubbles to life with self-proclaimed Bubbleologist, Jamie and his wife in a humorous and entertaining show complete with thousands of bubbles. Producing bubbles from the size of a pea to the size of a minivan, The Amazing Bubble Factory makes a product that lightens the heart and brings everyone back to their childhood regardless of age.
The Reg Lenna Theatre is located at 116 E. Third St. in Jamestown, NY and has been a vital part of the arts community for over 100 years. For more information and a complete list of upcoming events at the Reg Lenna, visit RegLenna.com and follow on social media.