The Cabot
September 3, 2024
Who are you and what is your business?
I’m Maureen Cotton, Director of Membership at The Cabot in Beverly. The theater itself is 104 years old! ‘The Cabot’ as a community and performing arts non-profit is turning 10 this fall. People are often surprised to discover that we only have 20-some full-time staff. It’s a passionate team of all-stars!
Please provide a brief description of your company.
The Cabot is a 1920’s movie palace turned non-profit performing arts center that showcases live music (from living legends to emerging artists), comedy, classic + new films, and education, with remarkable community access.
What inspired you to start your business and what keeps you going?
Once there were over 20,000 movie palaces in downtowns across America. Today there’s roughly 250. We’re a survivor!
A unique part of our story is that the theater had been home to Le Grand David and His Spectacular Magic Company for 36 years. Besides bringing magic to The North Shore, this kept it from being demolished or being run as an “adult” theater-like many historic movie palaces were in the 70’s.
When the founder of the magic show passed away and the building was up for sale, many community members worried about a demolition or condo building that would change Beverly’s historic downtown. Five citizens, our ‘5 founders’ got together to save the building with a vision of creating more diverse programming and community access than the theater had seen in nearly a century. That’s exactly what The Cabot is today.
What aspect of your business are you most passionate about?
I’m most passionate about community. The Cabot uplifts the economy and creativity in North Shore communities just by bringing new audiences here week in and week out.
We do lots of direct community development such as Community Conversations, free events that advance social change, our film school for kids ages 10-15 (with abundant scholarships), ticket giveaways for veterans and families in need, and $1 movie nights. We were also named a model of success by the Mass Cultural Council for the Card to Culture program through which we grant $5 tickets to EBT card holders.
Finally, The Cabot community—and especially our member community—is an engaging and enriching community unto itself.
Is there something unique about your business that you’d like to share that most people wouldn’t know about?
Many people know The Cabot will soon be taking down the 1960s marquee put up by the movie chain E.M. Loew. What many don’t realize is that our new marquee will be in the style of the original 1921 one!
People are nostalgic for the style they are used to and might not realize this is a restoration project, and that there’s a gorgeous half-rose window above the entrance that has been blocked for 60 years. We are looking forward to restoring and revealing it to our community!
What sets your business apart from other similar businesses?
We are not just a music venue. Nor are we just a historic theater. To quote our Executive Director Casey Soward, “We are really a community development organization, and we do that work through the arts.”
Do you have a goal you want the business to achieve in the next one, 5, or 10 years?
Oh, so many! As an organization, the upcoming renovations will complete the original vision of the ‘5 Founders’ who saved the theater 10 years ago. There will be a restored grand entrance, new energy-efficient windows, new gathering spaces, and expanded greenrooms to accommodate the higher caliber acts now coming to The Cabot.
As Dir. of Membership, my goal is to keep our supporters feeling like The Cabot is a second home while generating a consistent revenue source to fuel our mission—and ensure we last another century or more!
Why do you love the Greater Cape Ann region and doing business locally?
We are beyond spoiled on the North Shore. From historic estates and conserved nature spaces to cultural institutions, busy farms, and artist communities, we truly have all that makes life beautiful in abundant supply! People are invested in their communities and it shows.
As someone doing business in this area, how has or how can the Chamber help your business?
The Cabot is new to the Cape Ann Chamber, but we look forward to partnering in countless ways and inviting you all to experience The Cabot as a patron, renter, vendor, or community partner. Our door is open!
Contact Info
The Cabot
286 Cabot STreet
Beverly, MA 01915
https://thecabot.org
