#PHiLLTERspace looks to save Penn Hills Cinemas by transforming it into a live entertainment hub

A local talent and Penn Hills resident hopes to save and transform the space at Penn Hills Cinemas into a live entertainment hub.

The project dubbed “#PHiLLTERspace” will use the theater as a community live arts experience center while it is not showing movies by combining grassroots and independent live arts performances and existing mobile technology.

Owner Paul Looker said the theater has been struggling over the past two years, especially with covid. With two years of no income and numbers being down by 70% this year, Looker is looking for anything to help the theater space thrive.

“My goal is have the theater make it to the end of its lease in October but there’s a chance we won’t get that far,” he said.

When Mike Why, a local beatboxer who goes by the name OneMouthMusic, approached Looker last year about the #PHiLLTERSpace project, he was open to the idea.

“I was more than happy to give Mike a chance to see what he could do,” Looker said.

Why is the co-founder of #PHiLLTER with Microsoft Data Scientist Phillip Coachman. The organization uses high-level thinking and current technology with independent live arts and music performances to restore jobs to independent arts performers that helps benefit communities and educational systems.

Seeing the community rally together when the local theater was barred from showing the Mister Rogers movie in November 2019 inspired Why to pursue the #PHiLLTERSpace project at the theater.

“I believe in what I see and what this community can do,” Why said.

To test out the theater space, a mobile entertainment event was held July 30 and 31. Community members were encouraged to attend the event to give their thoughts. Attendees could participate in a silent disco, experience vibrating dance floors and listen to live music from DJs and Square1Radio’s hip-hop showcase.

“It gave us the chance to experience the space. A lot of people said they couldn’t wait to come back,” Why said.

This would not be the first time the organization has implemented live entertainment around Pittsburgh. #PHiLLTER has used its portable stage “mkrstage” throughout the region in locations such as Millvale, South Side and Frick Park to give independent performers the opportunity to perform live.

#PHiLLTER is calling on the community to help support its effort of raising $500,000 dollars by Oct. 1 to be able to take over the theater space. The fundraiser involves selling black and yellow tickets valid for one #PHiLLTERSpace live experience and enter raffles for items, such as music and merchandise. Tickets will cost a minimum of $20.

“That should be enough money to help seed our work here for the next two years,” Why said.

Why said if they are short of their goal, half of the money will be used to throw a free three-day party to close the theater and the other half will be used to work on the organization’s next project. The next #PHiLLTERSpace experience will be Sept. 3 or 4.

“We just want to make this to be a great place for people to gather and have fun.” Why said.