People often ask me: Who exactly is saving the Triplex?
At the moment, we have a working board of directors who are involved in every decision that affects the Triplex. The Board of Directors consists of Hannah Wilken, Vice President; Sam Handel, Treasurer; Molly Cooper, Secretary; and me, Nicki Wilson, the President. Initially, the board came together quickly to become a nonprofit to raise funds to buy the theater. As we move forward, there are plans to expand the board to include more people.
We also have an extremely knowledgeable Advisory Board that guides and educates us, and we are mapping out our future with our invaluable Managing Director, Ben Elliott.
To better acquaint the community with the people involved in the decision-making process, I will periodically spotlight a member of our Triplex team.
Spotlight on: Molly Cooper
Molly Cooper, the Secretary of the Board, is a film producer and writer based in Great Barrington. Before moving to the area four years ago with her son, Thomas, Molly worked as a producer for Wes Anderson for many years, and her producing credits include “The Grand Budapest Hotel,” “Moonrise Kingdom,” and “Fantastic Mr. Fox.” She has also worked for production companies based at Universal Pictures, New Line, and DreamWorks, as well as on projects for The Criterion Collection, HBO, and Abrams Books. As a writer, Molly’s work has appeared in Filmmaker Magazine and Bright Wall/Dark Room.
Molly has a BA in English from Yale and an MFA in film from New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts. She currently teaches film at Bard College at Simon’s Rock and lives just up the hill from the Triplex. When not sitting in a darkened movie theater, she spends as much time as possible outdoors. We feel very fortunate to have Molly on the board as her expertise and passion for film translate into an unwavering desire to preserve the Triplex as an independent, community-run movie theater.
In other Triplex news this week
The Board of Directors is waiting for the final estimates from Allegrone Construction Company and hopes to be closing on the Triplex shortly.
The arts community has stepped up and donated paintings, watercolors, drawings, collages, ceramics, and sculptures to help raise funds for the Triplex. There is now an outdoor pop-up art sale in front of the Triplex every Wednesday through Saturday from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. until Labor Day. For further information on how to donate artwork, email triplexartdonations@gmail.com or drop off your artwork at the theater at 4 pm on the days of the sale.
Meanwhile, Abbey Keith, the owner of Stockbridge Coffee and Tea on Elm Street in Stockbridge, is having an online art auction where all the proceeds will go to the Triplex. Artwork from generous local artists will be on display at the shop from July 3 through July 17. All bidding will take place online here.
If you are an art lover who would like to purchase a wonderful piece of art, please visit either of these sites and buy a stunning piece that will help save the Triplex. Or if you would just like to donate directly to the Triplex, go to our website: savethetriplex.org.
Next week, there will be detailed information about our upcoming theatrical event, “Bring Back the Movies,” starring Melissa Leo, Karen Allen, Lauren Ambrose, and Michel Gill and directed by Michelle Joyner. I can promise you, you will not want to miss this event!
