Lincoln Theater in downtown Damariscotta will reopen on Friday, March 19 at 7 p.m. with the award-winning film “Nomadland.”

The Theater has come a long way since shutting down last March at the beginning of this horrific pandemic. And while things may not be quite back to normal, the Theater has made a number of adjustments to the facility as well as to their operating procedures to aim to create a very safe environment during these still tenuous times. 

For example, the Theater has upgraded its ventilation system so that the entire air mass moves through a new disinfection structure comprised of filters, UV-C lights, and bi-polar Ionization, approximately every 10 minutes/six times an hour. This fully replaces the  inside air with outside air twice an hour. Roughly 30% of the inside air is replaced every ten minutes.

On reopening, at least for a while, masks will be required to be worn by both staff and patrons the entire time they are in the building. No concessions will be sold, and no outside food or drink allowed. And while acknowledging many will miss the immediate return of the Theater’s famous popcorn, the Lincoln is hoping take away any temptation that might lead to thinking masks may be removed.

When starting back up, all tickets will need to be purchased in advance online. The Lincoln has instituted a user-friendly online ticketing structure that makes a contact-less process with advance purchases, seat selection and self-check-in. You may reserve seats together with friends and family and the system will automatically generate 6 feet of social distancing between you and other parties, with multiple rows also blocked off.  This system also serves as a secure contact tracing system. Seats will be limited to a maximum of 50 people at this time.  For those who would like help purchasing their advance tickets, they may call the Theater office on Tuesdays between the hours of 10 am and 1 pm at 563-3424 and a staff member will gladly assist you.   

An online app,  the “MIT COVID-19 Indoor Safety Guideline,” allows users to adjust parameters such as ventilation, mask usage and room size to estimate the indoor transmission risk for SARS-CoV-2 in various types of spaces. (You can find out more about the app at https://indoor-covid-safety.herokuapp.com/).  In running the app using Lincoln Theater specifics based on this model it should be safe (airborne transmission only) for Lincoln Theater to have 50 people inside for four days straight. As you can imagine, Lincoln Theater takes great comfort in this result.

Lincoln Theater looks forward to welcoming you back when you feel comfortable to attend and are grateful for the ongoing support of the community during this difficult year. Please check out the Theater’s new website, lincolntheater.net, for show information, tickets, frequently asked questions and more.  Curtain goes up on March 19!