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BEDFORD PLAYHOUSE INC

BEDFORD, NY · EIN 473230097 · Form 990 · FY2024 · NTEE A61 · Arts, Culture & Humanities · Medium ($1M-$10M) · bedfordplayhouse.org
revenue
$2.4M
expenses
$2.8M
net assets
$5.3M
employees
53
volunteers
22
program ratio
75%
mission · from form 990

OUR MISSION IS TO PROVIDE A VIBRANT CULTURAL AND SOCIAL DESTINATION DEDICATED TO SCREENING AND CELEBRATING THE BEST FILMS FOR DISCERNING ADULTS AND FAMILIES, AS WELL AS PROVIDING A COMMUNITY HUB FOR SOCIALIZING, SPECIAL EVENTS, AND EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS RELATING TO FILM AND THE ARTS.

profile · synthesized from sources

Bedford Playhouse is a cultural nonprofit in Bedford, NY that operates as a cinema and community hub, screening a curated selection of classic, independent, and international films. It hosts special events, filmmaker Q&As, and educational programming for adults and families. The organization emphasizes film as an art form and fosters community engagement through themed series and panel discussions.

named programs · 5 · from sources

What they call their work

Classic Tuesday
Weekly series featuring classic films like "The Day of the Locust" and "The Untouchables," introduced by the Artistic Director.
Community Benefit Screenings
Special screenings that support the organization, such as the restored 1927 film "It," explicitly noted as benefiting the Bedford Playhouse.
Cult Classic Series
Regularly scheduled screenings of culturally significant films such as "Amélie" and "In the Mood for Love," introduced by staff and part of an ongoing series.
Listen to the Movie
Screenings followed by Q&As with local musicians exploring the film’s soundtrack, such as the "Trainspotting" event with Rob Cavenagh.
Panel Discussions
Post-screening panels on topics like cultural reconciliation, as seen after "Seven Generations of Hope," featuring tribal members and partner organizations.
activities · 9 groups

What they do

  • Art Appreciation and Public Engagement 1 activity
    • Collaborating with community organizations on cultural programming
      Partners with schools, libraries, nonprofits, and other community organizations to co-develop and present cultural programming, enhancing outreach and community engagement through shared resources and expertise.
  • Post-Performance Audience Engagement 1 activity
    • Facilitating post-screening discussions and panel events
      Hosts post-screening Q&A sessions with film experts and board members, as well as panel discussions featuring representatives from partner organizations and community stakeholders, fostering deeper engagement with film and social themes.
  • Live Music Performances & Concerts 1 activity
    • Hosting live events and performances
      Organizes and hosts live events including concerts, author talks, comedy shows, and discussion series. Recent examples include live music performances by Drew Angus, Louis Cato, and Ari Hest; author talks featuring Carol Lin and Duston Spear; and special events such as trivia night and Mahjong lessons.
  • Membership Program Administration 1 activity
    • Managing membership programs with benefits and perks
      Offers tiered membership levels (Individual, Dual, Family, Film Enthusiast, Film Buff, Cinephile, etc.) that provide benefits including free movie passes (4–10 depending on level), 15% discounts on tickets and events, early event notifications, ticket exchanges, complimentary popcorn, members-only receptions, and private screening opportunities.
  • Performing Arts Venue Rental 1 activity
    • Offering private and group rentals of theater and event spaces
      Provides private theater rentals in multiple venues—the Worby Theater (up to 20 guests), Clive Theater (up to 40 guests), and Main Theater (up to 160 guests)—including admission, concessions, and dedicated staff support. Offers full facility rentals for corporate events, meetings, receptions, and presentations, along with add-ons like reserved café space and VIP tasting experiences.
  • Nonprofit-Operated Cafés and Social Enterprises 1 activity
    • Operating a café and bar as a community gathering space
      Maintains a café and bar that serves light bites and local beverages, functioning as a community gathering space before and after events and available as reserved space for post-screening gatherings.
  • Film Festival and Screening Programming 1 activity
    • Operating a nonprofit cinema and cultural arts center
      Hosts film screenings—including classic films, documentaries, family-friendly movies, and restored films on the big screen—in three state-of-the-art theaters equipped with 4K digital projection and Dolby Atmos sound. Provides public access to curated cinematic experiences as part of year-round programming.
  • Curated Art Exhibitions and Public Displays 1 activity
    • Presenting art exhibitions and gallery displays
      Curates and hosts visual art exhibitions in dedicated gallery spaces within the facility, such as the "Wild Africa" exhibition by Martin J. Rosen running through August 2026, contributing to its role as a multidisciplinary cultural destination.
  • Sensory-Inclusive Programming and Support 1 activity
    • Providing accessible and inclusive programming
      Offers sensory-friendly film screenings with softened sound, dimmed lights, and an open environment for movement and vocalization, designed for individuals with autism or sensory sensitivities. Also provides Auracast hearing assistance, Doremi CaptiView closed captioning devices, wheelchair-accessible seating, and ADA-compliant restrooms to ensure accessibility for all guests.
financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$2.39M
Contributions & grants$806K34%
Program service revenue$929K39%
Investment income$89K4%
Other revenue$568K
expenses
Total expenses$2.80M
Program expenses75%
Admin / overhead17%
Fundraising8%
Salaries & benefits$1.01M
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$5.87M
Cash$2.07M
Investments$99K
Liabilities$595K
Net assets$5.28M
Liquid reserves9.3 mo
4 years on record · 2020–2024 · YoY revenue -1.7%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024

Who runs it

paid leadership · 1
NameTitleHours/wkCompensation
MARIE SCANLAN CEO 40 $132K
board members · 22
  • ADAM STERNBERG — TRUSTEE
  • ALLI CHOI — TRUSTEE
  • BOB HARRIS — TRUSTEE
  • BRYAN GABOURIE — TRUSTEE
  • CAROLYN MANDELKER — TRUSTEE
  • DANIEL DORON ESQ — VICE CHAIR
  • DAVID WORBY — TRUSTEE
  • DEBORAH MILLER-ZABEL — TRUSTEE
  • DON GREENWALD — CHAIRMAN
  • DONNA SATOW — TRUSTEE
  • DOUGLAS MAINE — TRUSTEE
  • DR ELIZABETH KILGALLON — TRUSTEE
  • JOHN CHAMBERS — TRUSTEE
  • JONI EVANS — TRUSTEE
  • KIM SPEEGLE — VICE CHAIR
  • MELISSA FLEMING — TRUSTEE
  • RICHARD ZINMAN — TREASURER
  • ROBERT GRIMES — TRUSTEE
  • RUTH TOPOROFF — SECRETARY
  • SUZANNE HOGAN — TRUSTEE
  • TAMIKO SOROS — TRUSTEE
  • TOM BROMAGE — TRUSTEE
relationships · 20

Who they work with

  • Ari Hest Partner — Performer in a live music event hosted by Bedford Playhouse.
  • ArtsWestchester Government — Grantee of ArtsWestchester, receiving public funding through Westchester County government.
  • Bedford Playhouse Network — Primary name of the organization operating the theater and programming.
  • Bow Tie Cinemas Partner — Acquired and operated the theater from 1983 until its closure in 2015.
  • Carol Lin Partner — Featured speaker in an author talk event hosted by Bedford Playhouse.
  • Clive Davis Funder — Provided a transformational gift enabling the renovation and reopening of Bedford Playhouse as the Clive Davis Arts Center.
  • Daphne Viders Partner — Development Office staff member handling phone donations.
  • Dominican Sisters of Hope Partner — Collaborates on programming, including panel discussions following film screenings.
  • Drew Angus Partner — Performer in a live music event hosted by Bedford Playhouse.
  • Duston Spear Partner — Author featured in a conversation event hosted by Bedford Playhouse.
  • Inclusive Initiative Partner — Endorses the sensory-friendly screenings hosted by Bedford Playhouse.
  • Jenny Pace Partner — Development Office staff member handling donations, stock gifts, wire transfers, and matching gifts.
  • Judith E. Stein Partner — Co-conversationalist in an author talk event with Duston Spear.
  • Louis Cato Partner — Performer in a live music event hosted by Bedford Playhouse.
  • Martin J. Rosen Partner — Collaborates on the presentation of the "Wild Africa" art exhibition.
  • New York Community Trust Partner — Participates in panel discussions following film screenings.
  • Save the Playhouse Coalition — Grassroots campaign led by community members to preserve and redevelop the theater as a nonprofit cultural center.
  • Stockbridge-Munsee Band of Mohicans Partner — Engages tribal members in panel discussions following film screenings about cultural reconnection.
  • Toni-Ann Marinaccio Partner — Rentals manager responsible for coordinating private rentals and event bookings.
  • Westchester Land Trust Partner — Participates in panel discussions following film screenings.
strategies · 3

How they approach the work

Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.

  • Cultural Hub Model
    methodology: cultural-hub-model
    By integrating film screening with multidisciplinary arts, education, and social programming, the organization fosters sustained community engagement because shared cultural experiences build deeper connections than passive viewing alone.
  • Curated Thematic Engagement
    methodology: curated_film_series
    By using expert-led, recurring thematic film series, the organization enhances audience connection to cinema because contextualization and artistic leadership deepen understanding and appreciation of classic and curated works.
  • Sensory-Inclusive Accessibility
    methodology: sensory_inclusion
    By modifying sensory elements such as sound and lighting and allowing flexible audience behavior, the organization increases access for neurodiverse individuals because reducing environmental barriers enables meaningful participation in cultural experiences.