Look ahead for a bold red neon sign that spells out “Mary Riepma Ross Media Arts Center” in a blocky font-if you see a big “R” and bright red letters, you’re in the right place!
Step right up, film lover-this isn’t just your average movie theater; this is where imagination and culture meet in the heart of Lincoln! Picture it: the mid-1980s, when most movie options were the popcorn-heavy blockbusters, and independent films were about as common in Nebraska as surfing lessons. But behind the scenes, Danny Lee Ladely, the University’s film program director, dreamed of a space where every frame, flicker, and foreign accent had a fighting chance. He knew the local cinephiles deserved more than reruns and big explosions, so he reached out for help. Enter Mary Riepma Ross, a New York City attorney with a heart for art and a passion for movies. Her rallying cry? “Lincoln should have access to independent and art films. They should have that out here as part of their cultural life!”
If you want to know just how much she meant it, she kicked things off by establishing a $3.5-million trust-talk about showing your blockbuster support! Construction began at the corner of 13th and R Streets, hammers pounding and hopes high, and the center finally opened its doors in 2003, officially attached to the Van Brunt Visitors Center. Ross herself lived to be 102, and when she passed, her legacy lived on through a jaw-dropping $7.7 million donation that gave the Hixson-Lied College of Fine and Performing Arts a truly Oscar-worthy boost.
Now, when you step inside, you’re greeted by two state-of-the-art screens-one seating 197 and devoted to American indie gems, the other holding 82 and perfect for documentaries and daring experiments. Thanks to Texas Instruments’ digital light projectors and Dolby Digital EX sound, watching a film here is like being pulled right into the screen. The best part? You could quite literally leave your mark: for $250, you can get your name engraved on a seat, so every bucket of popcorn comes with a dash of immortality.
The Ross isn’t just a theater-it’s a celebration of vision, community, and those unsung films waiting for their audience. So, whether you’re here for a moody black-and-white mystery, a world-traveling documentary, or an indie comedy that’ll have you chuckling into your popcorn, just remember: you’re standing where passion flickers to life, and every story gets its chance at the spotlight. And hey, with the idea of a third “microcinema” floating around, the future might be even brighter!
