Southampton Playhouse Names Executive Director and Art Director as It Prepares for 2025 Opening

As it moves closer to an anticipated 2025 grand opening, the Southampton Playhouse has announced the hiring of two leaders who will be at the forefront of bringing the iconic Hill Street venue back to a place of prominence in the Southampton community.

The Playhouse, which is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, has hired Maria A. Ruiz Botsacos as its inaugural executive director, and has tapped Eric Kohn as its artistic director.

Ruiz Botsacos is an industry veteran, with more than 25 years of experience. She most recently served as vice president of events and special projects at the Film at Lincoln Center, an organization she was with for more than 13 years, providing strategy for and oversight of year-round special events. She also handled and developed fundraising opportunities for the organization and served as the liaison to the board of directors.

In her new role, Ruiz Botsacos will oversee strategic vision and development for the Southampton Playhouse and collaborate with the leadership team to implement plans for growth while also working alongside the board of directors and managing relationships with stakeholders. Ruiz Botsacos is a BAFTA member and a board member of Cinema Tropical.

Kohn also brings a wealth of experience to his new role. He spent nearly two decades as a critic, reporter and editor for IndieWire, focusing on film journalism. More recently, he was head of strategy and development at Harmony Korine’s multimedia design collective, EDGLRD, where he will continue to produce feature films. At IndieWire, he was the New York-based executive editor and vice president of editorial strategies.

Kohn has extensive experience managing a range of editorial and development initiatives. He co-hosted IndieWire’s “Screen Talk” podcast for nearly a decade.

At the Southampton Playhouse, Kohn will oversee the artistic vision of the theater, develop and implement creative programs, and work alongside the leadership team.

Kohn is also an adjunct professor at New York University, where he has taught since 2014, and co-founded the Critics Academy workshops at the Locarno and New York film festivals, as well as the Sundance Fellowship for Film Criticism.

Both Ruiz Botsacos and Kohn spoke about why they were drawn to the Southampton Playhouse and what they will focus on in their new roles.

“After meeting the SHPH board, it was clear this was a very personal and important project for individuals who understand the significance of this theater and its importance for the community,” Ruiz Botsacos said. “They emphasized, ‘This should be a welcoming place for everyone.’ This statement resonated with me. Film is a powerful way for people to escape from their everyday challenges regardless of their circumstances. It also serves as a lens to the human experience despite cultural differences, as well as much needed fantasy and joy.”

“With the state of film exhibition in a better position than it has been in years, the Playhouse presents a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to create a dialogue between the past, present and future of cinema,” Kohn said. “Our programming will satisfy both diehard moviegoers and introduce the art form to new generations through a unique blend of first-run features and eclectic repertory series.

“Today’s society is inundated with moving images, but the Playhouse will put them in the context they deserve: the big screen, with state-of-the-art projection and sound. Through the delicate art of curation and an exclusive series of membership events, we will tell the story of contemporary film culture and its roots, from blockbusters to art films and beyond. We plan to surprise, inspire, and energize our audiences every step of the way.”

“We couldn’t imagine a better way to launch our journey of delivering outstanding film, live events, and educational experiences to our community and beyond,” stated the board of the Playhouse, collectively, in a press release statement. “With Maria and Eric at the helm, the future is in exceptional, thoughtful, and caring hands. They are poised to make the Southampton Playhouse a premier cultural destination.”

The Southampton Playhouse was born after real estate developer Aby Rosen and his son, Charlie Rosen, through their company, RFR Holdings, purchased the Southampton Movie Theater — in partnership with Alex Black, CEO of Lyrical Media — for $8 million back in 2022 from former owner Ken Karlin.

The theater, which was in desperate need of upgrades and repairs, had been shuttered since the start of the pandemic. It was originally built in 1932 as a single-auditorium theater. Extensive upgrades have been happening at the theater for more than a year, and when it reopens in 2025, the Playhouse will include three state-of-the art movie theaters, and an IMAX theater as the fourth house, making it the only IMAX theater in the surrounding area.

The Playhouse will have the ability to show first-run theatrical features as well as 35mm films, and will also host community events and even outdoor movie nights in the parking lot.