Q&A With New Patchogue Theater Director: The Future Of LI Theater

PATCHOGUE, NY — The Patchogue Theater for the Performing Arts, Suffolk's largest theatre, has been temporarily darkened during the coronavirus pandemic, but the theater and its new director have big plans for the future.

Michelle Rizzo-Berg, Long Island native, was appointed director of the theater in May. She isn't new to the performing arts on Long Island, however. She tells Patch about her visions for the theater in a post-Covid world.

Tell us about how you got started in performing arts?

I started my career at Westbury Music Fair. Growing up having a love for live entertainment I had always wanted to be around concerts. I spent years at for-profit venues and in 2005 I landed at the YMCA Boulton Center. The YMCA is a nonprofit, therefore the venue was set up as a non-profit. That was the first time I had worked with a Board of Directors.

How do you see the Theater adding to and also benefiting from Patchogue's revival as a place to go out and eat out?

Patchogue Theatre is a driving force in the economic ecosystem of Patchogue Village. Those who attend performances will be able to support all the wonderful restaurants and bars as well as shops on main street prior to and after performances. The relationships we have with the local establishments also benefit us. Since there are so many places to frequent, those who may have never been to the town before, will drive by and see our marquee and they will think about attending an event.

What are your goals for the theater as the director?

Patchogue is already a vibrant destination spot, known for their great restaurants and retail. I’d love to see us become a favorite spot for entertainment. There are so many fantastic venues on Long Island to see live music and theater, so it’s my hope to make Patchogue Theatre one of the places Long Islanders can continue to go to while attracting new guests.

How do you envision the industry being affected by COVID once everything is open ? Do you see long-lasting changes from this?

The new way of going to events will certainly affect how we will move forward. Once we are given guidelines from the state, we will know how and in what capacity we can allow people back through our doors.

As we all get back to “normal,” venue capacity will be cut in half, people will continue to be extremely cautious as to how close they are to others, masks will be worn, and cleaning will be more prevalent.

Since I’ve never been alive during any other pandemic, I wouldn’t be able to say for sure what kind of long lasting changes will happen from this.