West Shore Theatre is the treasure of New Cumberland
By Nik Hogan
Knightly News CPC Film Series Correspondent
nikolai.hadleyhogan@mymail.centralpenn.edu
The thrill of watching a movie on the big screen is an experience that streaming services just can’t compete with. The shared audience reactions and the immersive atmosphere make the theater a great space for cinephiles like me. This passion for the arts is what drew me to volunteer at the West Shore Theatre in New Cumberland—a place that has always felt like home.
The West Shore Theatre isn’t just a building; it’s a piece of New Cumberland’s history and has managed to withstand the test of time despite several hurdles. When the theater closed down a few years ago, it left a noticeable absence. But with a change in ownership and a renewed sense of purpose, the theater has now been revitalized, relying on volunteers and local support to keep its doors open. Being part of this effort allows me to give back to the community I care about.
My role at the West Shore Theatre focuses on aspects to ensure the theater’s continued success. By helping to bring in more patrons, I’m supporting the theater and boosting the New Cumberland economy. Many visitors support nearby businesses, creating a ripple effect that enhances the entire New Cumberland Bridge Street area. The theater’s success has contributed to the success of other local companies, like Retro & Rad and Wild Rabbit. These small businesses contribute to the theater by attracting potential customers to their own location while guiding them to the theater. The opposite effect also applies, such as a family going to the area with the intention of seeing a film, and deciding to patronize the area’s shops. The West Shore Theatre is a cornerstone of my community, bringing people together.
Volunteering at the theater is a natural extension of my interest in films and the arts. There’s something supersatisfying about being part of the process that keeps the magic of movies alive. I believe that most movies are meant to be experienced in theaters, where the atmosphere adds to the film in ways that streaming, in my opinion, can’t replicate. By supporting this nonprofit, I’m helping preserve an art form that has brought joy to so many people.
Throughout this project, I’ve gained invaluable insights into the inner workings of the theater, especially in the areas of social media and marketing. I got to learn how securing the rights to screen films works. It is a process that plays a role in the theater’s lineup. Sponsorships, I’ve learned, are the core of the theater’s finances, ensuring that it can continue to operate and serve New Cumberland. This experience has deepened my appreciation for the hard work required to keep a nonprofit like the West Shore Theatre going.
I enjoyed being able to do the usual deeds one might expect from working at a movie theater, like selling tickets or helping with concessions, but while that certainly is to be expected, I think that it heavily contributes to the success of the theater itself. It sells the atmosphere of the experience, and I truly appreciated seeing so many different people enjoy so many other genres of film (or, in some cases, shows and events).
For me, this project has been more than a volunteer experience for a class—it’s been an education and a fun thing to do. As a corporate communications major, the skills I’m acquiring in marketing and community engagement directly influence my future career. I’ve learned how important local support is in sustaining organizations like the West Shore Theatre and how effective communication strategies can make all the difference. These lessons will undoubtedly serve me well professionally and in any future volunteer work or internships I pursue.
My time at the West Shore Theatre has been entertaining and rewarding. It has provided me with hands-on experience in a field I’m already passionate about while allowing me to contribute to a cause I deeply care about. The skills I’ve been able to develop, and the connections I’ve made will stay with me long after my volunteer hours are complete. Most important, this experience has reinforced my commitment to supporting local arts and culture—a commitment I plan to maintain throughout the rest of my life.
Editor’s note: This is the fifth in a series about Central Penn College students participating in philanthropic initiatives in the region during the summer term as part of the COM420 Projects in Corporate Communication course.
Comment or story idea? Contact KnightlyEditors@CentralPenn.Edu.
Edited by media-club co-advisers Professor Paul Mller and Professor Michael Lear-Olimpi.
