The Broad Theater, located in Souderton, Pennsylvania, creates a comfortable and accessible gathering place for people to connect and feel a sense of belonging. Movie theaters are a cultural experience, bringing dialogue, social engagement, and economic growth to a community. With three screens and over 320 seats available, everyone is welcome to gather and enjoy concessions at the Broad Theater. Small town movie theaters are more than a place to see a movie; they are a place where friends and neighbors can catch up and connect over the shared love of film. Local theaters contribute to the community by creating jobs, attracting visitors from neighboring areas, and ultimately providing economic growth for the community.
The Broad Theater has been the entertainment hub of the Souderton community for generations. It opened in 1922 and ran as a single-screen movie theater until its doors closed in 2004. Kyle Hoff and Charlie Crown bought the vacant building in 2018 and reopened the Broad Theater in 2020. This local theater provides a friendly atmosphere with an outlet for movie-goers to escape reality. A Cornell University article called Why Do We Love the Movies, states, “Entertainment is a way for us to escape an overwhelming world. Watching movies allows us to switch off from the troubles that weigh on our minds and be transported to another reality.” Going to a movie theater can grow or create new bonds. Pennridge High School senior, Nyima Sanchez, expressed in an interview, “Movie theaters can be a common ground to strengthen connections or interests.” An employee at the Broad Theater, Lana, similarly stated, “I love the environment. Everyone is super friendly, and a ton of different people work here, and the people that come in too.” Seeing a movie at the Broad Theater gives locals something to do with friends and family, and is a good pastime on a rainy day. Overall, the Broad Theater is a staple in the Souderton community and a treasured place.
What sets the Broad Theater apart from major movie theater chains is its impact on the local community. The Broad Theater accommodates parties, corporate meetings, field trips, independent film premieres, and other special events. Community events hosted here have the choice of renting out specific theaters or the whole building. Both old and new movies are screened to bring in all different age groups. For the adult crowd, Cinema Brewing is open in the lobby of the Broad Theater, featuring beer, wine, cocktails, and more drinks. The bar creates another space for adults to hang out, with a television playing if they don’t want to see a movie. These factors that are different from the main screenings bring in more community members to the theater. Recently, the Broad Theater screened a new release, Zootopia 2. This movie was a huge attraction for the community. We had the opportunity to watch it for ourselves at the Broad Theater. The theater was packed with many different age groups, further incorporating the community-based aspect of this local entertainment hub. Zootopia 2 involved relevant themes of community, personal growth, teamwork, and diversity. Viewing a film that represents different types of characters and lifestyles allows people to learn from different perspectives. Additionally, accommodating many different community members, the three-screen theater in Souderton offers open captioning, Spanish subtitles, and sensory-friendly programming. Whether going to see a movie, have a drink with friends, or host an event, locals can always come to the Broad Theater to have a good time with their community.
