'THAT HURTS MY HEART': SMALL THEATER IN BROKEN ARROW STRUGGLING TO STAY OPEN

A small movie theater in New Orleans Square that reopened this year might have to close again if it does not get more business.

The theater opened in the 80s and closed for several years.

Gene Barber said he could not stand to let it sit empty, so he took over and is asking the community to help it stay open.

The movie theater at 101st and Elm in Broken Arrow has made many memories and seen many changes.

Barber took it over in February, naming it Geaux - Jack of All Shows to bring affordable entertainment to the community.

The theater hosts comedy shows, karaoke nights, private parties, fundraisers and even church services and business meetings.

Still, with the electric bill costing $4,500 a month, plus rent and staffing costs, Barber might have to close this theater or one of his other two businesses.

"By February, we have to either shut this down or one of the other places down, and I don't want to do that. That hurts my heart completely just because of the joy that I see people get when they do use us," said Barber. 

Employees like Christina Galindo said Barber and the theater are making a difference.

"It's heartwarming to see someone that's working so hard, not just for his business but for his staff and being able to genuinely love on them for the people that they are,” said Galindo.

Barber and his staff said they hope more people will give the theater a chance and the support it needs to stay open.

"Have your kids grow up in this theater. Bring them, bring those memories that you had back to them, allow them to have those memories. It's a great place. It's a great space,” said Barber.

The theater has several events coming up and gives back 50 percent for fundraisers. For more information about the theater’s events, follow its Facebook page HERE.

"We haven't had much success in getting people in here for first-run movies, so we're really wanting to figure out what's going to work here and transition into that in the future,” said Barber.

The theater hosts comedy shows, karaoke nights, private parties, fundraisers and even church services and business meetings.

Still, with the electric bill costing $4,500 a month, plus rent and staffing costs, Barber might have to close this theater or one of his other two businesses.

My name is Lisandro Boccacci and I am a indie filmmaker local to Tulsa and the reason I am doing this for Gene is because a theater like this allows me to showcase local talents including my own as a filmmaker.  We had an event to try to sell tickets for Gene, we showcased local short films and a local feature film, as well as live local performances. and entertainment.  I run something called the Indie Showcase here in Tulsa, that got started in September and we've had 21 events total, and we plan to continue to do more. This month on the 30th we are showcasing more local talents at Geaux Theater to help sell tickets, and this time we are creating this to try to reach folks who have a love for movie theaters and movies, and indie filmmakers. Geaux Theater is a home to local talents like myself and we need something like this to be able to showcase our films. 

"It's heartwarming to see someone that's working so hard, not just for his business but for his staff and being able to genuinely love on them for the people that they are,” said Galindo.

Barber and his staff said they hope more people will give the theater a chance and the support it needs to stay open.

"Have your kids grow up in this theater. Bring them, bring those memories that you had back to them, allow them to have those memories. It's a great place. It's a great space,” said Barber.

The theater has several events coming up and gives back 50 percent for fundraisers. For more information about the theater’s events, follow its Facebook page HERE.