There was an article in Newsday a few weeks ago about a guy from East Islip that has been in contact with JJ Nazzaro to reopen the theater as a performing arts venue. If anyone knows who he is, I would really like to get in touch with him!
I think its a sin to make it a child care center…the YMCA is right up the street and they offer many children programs. Not to mention the place is loaded with asbestos….
I am going to the town hearing to fight against it. It is a complete waste of an historic theater.
Passed by the theater today to see about 3 or more men working on the inside and outside. They took down the board covering the old “Islip” sign, which is now illuminated again! I am going to stop in there tomorrow if I see them and see whats going on.
The problem was that the people running it did not know how to handle some of the shows. There was no security, kids were running all over the place, and it just wasn’t a good scene most of the nights. I was only involved in booking so I didn’t have much say as to how to handle things even though I know exactly how to fix the many problems that were occurring. The only night that went very smoothly was my last show. The vice president of the board of the theater took control and made sure the whole place was tight as could be. I am assuming the fire department had a large influence on the theater closing because they were right next door. Kids were always in their parking lot and they were always complaining. This could have been easily solved by building a fence or tighter security. The only security we had was other kids that volunteered. I have recently emailed the landlord to see if I could get it back open and fix all of the problems myself. We’ll see how it goes…
Just to let everyone here know, the Islip Theater has been closed down AGAIN. My name is Ryan Forsythe, I did a lot if not all of the booking of bands for the Islip Pavilion and Islip Theater. I am extremely sad to see the theater close again. The theater had become my Job and I loved to go there and help kids out by allowing them to play a show at a local venue. Sure, the place had tons of problems…it smelled horrible, the equipment was a disgrace, and the security issue is another story, but it was a great place and I hate to see it go. I am going to do everything I can to try to get it back up and running as a music venue.
Here is a mass email that I received from Mike Mckasty, the executive director of the theater:
Hello all,
I unfortunately have to inform everyone of the closing of The Islip Theater & Performing Arts Center.
We have made a significant effort on the parts of everyone involved to try and give this project a rebirth from the ashes of The Islip Pavilion, but the road uphill was too steep. We have tried to offer a place for the youth of Islip to congregate, but there were too many troubles associated with complaints. Notwithstanding, the Fire Marshall, the Police Dept. and the Town Attorney’s Office all called the building owner this week and told him to shut down or else be summonsed. The owner has waited the past year with no revenue from The Pavilion and is only now receiving funds from us. But the camel’s back is broken. And outside companies owed money from the Islip Pavilion are now threatening liens against the building for payment.
The troubles here are insurmountable. The current board is working on solutions and/or changes. We are seeking other venues for all our acts. Miracle on 34th Street will be performed at the rehearsal space within the 1st Congregational Church on 1st Ave. and Union Blvd. in Bayshore, once we confirm final permission. The rest of our filled calendar will be situated in another hall, theater, or movie house, once we complete those arrangements. We are hoping to find a similiar place nearby; there are some plans already underway, maybe even purchasing a “home” for us.
These are difficult times we are going through, but the talented crew we have housed here gives me hope that we can overcome this. People still need to escape the daily grind and be entertained.
This Phoenix will fly once again.
Mike McKasty
Executive Director
Islip Theater & Performing Arts Center
There was an article in Newsday a few weeks ago about a guy from East Islip that has been in contact with JJ Nazzaro to reopen the theater as a performing arts venue. If anyone knows who he is, I would really like to get in touch with him!
If anyone feels the way I do, come down to the meeting at Islip Town Hall on June 18th at 7:30 PM.
Thank you.
I think its a sin to make it a child care center…the YMCA is right up the street and they offer many children programs. Not to mention the place is loaded with asbestos….
I am going to the town hearing to fight against it. It is a complete waste of an historic theater.
Passed by the theater today to see about 3 or more men working on the inside and outside. They took down the board covering the old “Islip” sign, which is now illuminated again! I am going to stop in there tomorrow if I see them and see whats going on.
Ryan
The problem was that the people running it did not know how to handle some of the shows. There was no security, kids were running all over the place, and it just wasn’t a good scene most of the nights. I was only involved in booking so I didn’t have much say as to how to handle things even though I know exactly how to fix the many problems that were occurring. The only night that went very smoothly was my last show. The vice president of the board of the theater took control and made sure the whole place was tight as could be. I am assuming the fire department had a large influence on the theater closing because they were right next door. Kids were always in their parking lot and they were always complaining. This could have been easily solved by building a fence or tighter security. The only security we had was other kids that volunteered. I have recently emailed the landlord to see if I could get it back open and fix all of the problems myself. We’ll see how it goes…
Wish me luck.
Ryan
Just to let everyone here know, the Islip Theater has been closed down AGAIN. My name is Ryan Forsythe, I did a lot if not all of the booking of bands for the Islip Pavilion and Islip Theater. I am extremely sad to see the theater close again. The theater had become my Job and I loved to go there and help kids out by allowing them to play a show at a local venue. Sure, the place had tons of problems…it smelled horrible, the equipment was a disgrace, and the security issue is another story, but it was a great place and I hate to see it go. I am going to do everything I can to try to get it back up and running as a music venue.
Here is a mass email that I received from Mike Mckasty, the executive director of the theater:
Hello all,
I unfortunately have to inform everyone of the closing of The Islip Theater & Performing Arts Center.
We have made a significant effort on the parts of everyone involved to try and give this project a rebirth from the ashes of The Islip Pavilion, but the road uphill was too steep. We have tried to offer a place for the youth of Islip to congregate, but there were too many troubles associated with complaints. Notwithstanding, the Fire Marshall, the Police Dept. and the Town Attorney’s Office all called the building owner this week and told him to shut down or else be summonsed. The owner has waited the past year with no revenue from The Pavilion and is only now receiving funds from us. But the camel’s back is broken. And outside companies owed money from the Islip Pavilion are now threatening liens against the building for payment.
The troubles here are insurmountable. The current board is working on solutions and/or changes. We are seeking other venues for all our acts. Miracle on 34th Street will be performed at the rehearsal space within the 1st Congregational Church on 1st Ave. and Union Blvd. in Bayshore, once we confirm final permission. The rest of our filled calendar will be situated in another hall, theater, or movie house, once we complete those arrangements. We are hoping to find a similiar place nearby; there are some plans already underway, maybe even purchasing a “home” for us.
These are difficult times we are going through, but the talented crew we have housed here gives me hope that we can overcome this. People still need to escape the daily grind and be entertained.
This Phoenix will fly once again.
Mike McKasty
Executive Director
Islip Theater & Performing Arts Center