Images Cinema hosted a grand opening Friday to reveal its new second screen after 110 years of being a single-screen theater. In May, the nonprofit theater reopened its 70-seat auditorium.

WILLIAMSTOWN — Images Cinema has opened its new 17-seat auditorium, marking the completion of the second phase of the 110-year-old theater’s $2.4 million renovation, including the addition of new audio technology, the only of its kind between New York and Boston.

The launch of the second screen this week follows the May reopening of its renovated 70-seat auditorium.

“So many of you have donated your time and hard-earned money to this campaign,” said Images board Chair Steven Simon. “It really did take a village and today you’re going to see the results of it.”

Images Cinema's 70-seat theater was reconstructed over the last year with new sound design, seats and cupholders. The public was invited to see both screens Friday and hear the new audio quality.

About 60 local theater lovers shuffled into the theater Friday morning to see the new theaters, get previews of movies that will be screened starting that afternoon and munch on some complimentary popcorn.

Resident Ruth Giordano wore a 20-year-old Images T-shirt to celebrate the reopening.

Ruth Giordano shows off her 20-year-old Images Cinema T-shirt during the theater's grand reopening Friday. Giordano used to run the box office and now volunteers at the nonprofit organization.

"I'm part of the community and I want to support independent theater," said Giordano, who used to run the box office and now volunteers.

Guests also marveled at the new cushioned seats, fit with cupholders, in both theaters, and experienced the theater’s new Dolby Atmos technology, or 3D surround sound that makes it sound like the movie is happening all around you. With traditional surround sound, on the other hand, the audio locks into specific channels, like left or right.

Images Cinema staff served complimentary popcorn Friday at the independent theater's grand reopening.

“This is more than a renovation,” said Matt Brogan, the theater’s vice chair who also led the redesign. “It’s a complete reconstruction down to the brick, down to the trusses, built to a standard that should last 30 to 50 years.”

The single-screen theater on Spring Street closed in mid-2025 after embarking on the renovation, part of its Look Forward Capital Campaign to add the second screen and renovate its lounge space.

All public spaces and theaters are now fully ADA accessible, with traditional assisted listening devices available and new Bluetooth technology that directly connects hearing aids to the theater audio.

Images Cinema in Williamstown opened its new 17-seat second theater to the public Friday. After multiple years of a $2.4 million fundraising campaign, the theater renovations are complete and the final step is HVAC upgrades in the lobby.

The smaller, second theater was named The Clara and David Park Theater, in honor of the beloved English and physics professors at Williams College.

The Parks once taught the anonymous donor behind a $250,000 challenge match which closed out Images’ public fundraising campaign in fall 2025.

While both professors died about 10 years ago, their kids were at the grand opening to see the theater dedication, including son Paul and daughter, Jessy, a local artist.

“I was really touched,” Paul said. “Fine there’s a plaque on the wall, but mostly, I lost my parents a decade ago, and it’s nice to feel them live on in people’s memories.”

An original artwork of the theater marquee by Jessy will be featured outside the entrance to this theater.

Simon said the renovation also better positions Images to compete as streaming and theater closures reshape the industry. The second screen gives the nonprofit greater flexibility in booking films.

The Regal multiplex in Lanesborough closed in 2022 and the North Adams Movieplex followed shortly after in 2023. That leaves Beacon Cinema in Pittsfield and two nonprofit-run theaters in the Berkshires: Images and the Triplex Cinema in Great Barrington.

Hiram Walden converted the former Williams College fraternity house into a single screen movie theater in 1916, and since then the screen has satisfied audience cravings for silent films, talkies, Westerns and onward.

“We’ve been around 110 years; here's to another 110,” said Executive Director Dan Hudson.

Box office staff at Images Cinema welcomed back the public at its grand reopening Friday as it opened its new second screen and began public showings.

The third and final phase of the campaign will upgrade the HVAC system in the oldest part of theater, the lobby and box office. Images is currently applying to grants for that.

Brogan also hopes the renovations will raise Images to the same exposure of other renowned Berkshire County performance and arts venues.

“We have some incredible performance venues in the county," he said. "I think Images is rising to that level of ability.”