Orono Cinema Gets ‘Star Wars’ Treatment In Time For May the 4th

The folks at Black Bear Cinemas are at it again, ensuring those who come to the movies are treated to more than just a viewing of their movie of choice, but an entire experience."

And this time, it's with an iconic movie franchise; Star Wars!

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In honor of the 25th Anniversary of the re-release of Star Wars Episode 1, cinema owner Zach Hussey says he invited the University of Maine Art Club to put together Black Bear's first ever "themed" theater.

The task: to create a spaceport for a "Space Theater."

"They designed the entrance to one of our theaters to look like you are stepping into a spaceship. Episode 1 comes out Friday. The first phase of the entrance will be finished tomorrow and we will be playing episode 1 in that theater!"

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"This is our first theme, more to come for every theater. Theater #2 is now our Space Theater! The art students have designed the entrance so it looks like you are stepping into a Space Ship. They want to add more next semester but this first phase is done just in time for Star Wars Episode 1 25th anniversary."

UMaine Junior Paige Cormier, who's studying Forestry, says she was very excited when Hussey reached out to the club with such a fun challenge.

“Making art on its own is just fine, but there's something magical about working together to help transform space. (Pun Intended)…We got the idea of a spaceport and just ran with it! “

Sophomore Studio Art major, Anthony Belenger, said he loved working with the team on creating this unique piece.

“I really like collaborating with other artists. I like the sense of community that it builds. I love the fact that the theatre is trying to build a fun community space.”

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Belenger had the idea to create a droid out of the theater trash can.

“I imagined a bustling spaceport and having little nods to the franchises that inspired this project. As an artist, I am never satisfied with the end results. I will always see the flaws and everything that I could have done differently but I am very proud of what our group accomplished with this mural”

Cormier said she hopes people get a kick out of it and find their work inspiring.

“I'm really hoping people enjoy it, a lot of time and care got put into the space! I guess I'd say my super ambitious dream would be that people feel inspired to get creative with their own art."

"You don't need to be a Picasso or anything, sometimes you can just look at a wall and go, 'There should be a spaceport here.' "

Belenger says he hopes their work enhances people's theater-going experience.

“I really hope that people see the love that we have [for] the genre. I want this to bring joy to everyone that uses theatre 2.”

Hussey says there are more themes to come.

"Our hope is that it makes the movie experience a little more magical for kids and families in the area. Adults too! but especially for families!"

We have no doubt they will! How could they not?!

You can find show times on the Black Bear Cinema website by clicking here.