The Prospector is a 501(c)(3) non-profit providing competitive and inclusive employment for people with disabilities through the operation of a first-run movie theater and online popcorn business.
Employees of the Prospector are known as Prospects, and approximately 75% of us self-identify with a disability. My family and I are so lucky to live in the same town as the Prospector. Here are just a few things I love about it:
S - Snacks! The Prospector has the BEST popcorn I've ever tasted in my life. Not only do they serve delicious movie-theater popcorn, but they also make mouth-watering gourmet popcorn onsite! So many flavors to choose from too! Oh, did I mention candy??? So many yummy options!
P - Prospects! Every employee at the Prospector is a "Prospect" and each one is amazing in their own way. When I go see a movie, I am always greeted with warm smiles and friendly greetings. It makes me feel at home! The Prospects clearly love their job and work very hard. You will not find a better group of people in the world!
A - Artwork! Some Prospects are incredibly talented artists. You can find their artwork all over the theater. Drawings, paintings, graphic design, and more! They also have a powerful mosaic that portrays the old proverb "Teach a Man to Fish" and features Special Olympics medals donated by Prospects. What truly stands out to me however is the giant "Prospect-o-lier" that hangs from the ceiling in the lobby. Its a vibrant beacon of hope that shines like the Prospects do!
R - Rapping! Did you know that some Prospects are talented rappers?? They have a Bars & Beats group that creates rhythms, rhymes, and raps that are used in the pre-show before your movie. The concessions rap is my all-time favorite!
K - Kids! As a father of two little kids, I can tell you that your children will LOVE this theater! My boys look forward to each and every visit to the Prospector, even if we're not seeing a movie. They love the "seating steps" where they can hang out and watch what is on the giant screen in the lobby. They love the interactive games and various engagement activities that the theater offers. For any given movie you might see a colorful cut-out board, intricate balloon sculptures, or even real-life characters roaming the lobby floor! Also, you can book your child's birthday party here! There are so many options to choose from, like a movie-only, a movie with cake and pizza, etc. Book yours today!
L - Liquor! How awesome is it that you can enjoy an alcoholic beverage with your movie?? They serve beer, wine, and cocktails in their Heads Up Cafe. They have so many options to choose from! Is alcohol not your style? Then you can get a delicious latte made to your liking. Coffee and tea drinks galore as well!
E - Education! The Prospector Theater offers an incredible program called Service Learning, which educates, entertains, and dazzles groups, schools, and businesses of all sizes. Participants build empathy and community service skills by actively engaging in custom-designed, Prospect-led programming. The theater can tailor their service learning opportunities to suit the needs of your classroom, business, or organization. Don't miss out on this wonderful opportunity!
SPARKLE - Prospects are paired with jobs that highlight their strengths and passions - or as the theater calls it, “sparkle." Prospects sparkle through speeches, artwork, video production, rapping, baking gourmet popcorn, making coffee, etc.
I love working and coming to the Prospector Theater because the experience you have here changes all of the other experiences at other movie theater and prospects are so friendly. Visiting the Prospector is an experience in its self because you do not know what you will see.
This is a wonderful organization. They have created so many jobs for adults with disabilities, and they’re always thinking of new ways to get more people involved with their mission. Besides offering first run movies at the cleanest, friendliest, and most beautiful theater around, they also make the best Gourmet Popcorn, and sell it online at prospectorpopcorn.org, so you can ship it to friends and family around the country.
The Prospector is Disney World North. It is truly the happiest theater I have ever visited. With smiling and welcoming employees who are always willing to share their pink-glove service, the multitude of fun, first-run movies, the fantastic throwbacks, and other events that cater to a wide array of guests, the delicious popcorn freshly popped for its guests, the tasty gourmet popcorn featuring seasonal favorites, the immaculate facilities happily cleaned in between showings, and the beautiful, pink that blankets the inside, The Prospector is a sparkly beacon of hope for both the town of Ridgefield and the disabled community the Theater supports. I love this place and can't speak enough about how awesome this Theater truly is. Come see for yourself, you won't be disappointed.
The Prospector Theatre is an experience like no other. The theatre is spotlessly clean, the drinks and special popcorn they have available is delicious, and they are always decorated for upcoming movies. I work for a guide dog school and we have visited the prospector on many occasions. They are always so accommodating to our needs, as well as the needs of other disabilities ( which this world needs more of.) This theatre is a safe space for everyone to enjoy, all while supporting an amazing organization. The world needs more of Prospector Theaters. I will never see movies anywhere else !
I had the privilege of working with Prospects (name given to each employee at prospector Theatre) during a documentary production. Prospects are profoundly connected with their jobs, their unique theatre and, most importantly, with their mission to provide competitive and inclusive employment to people of all abilities. I learned that nobody in this world is more or less able than me. We are all able and disabled! This is not only an OUTSTANDING theatre but it is an example of a seriously committed workplace and workforce. I'm forever grateful for all I learned in a few days.
This is truly a wonderful place, everyone should experience the magic of it. It is beautiful, well run the employees are enthusiastic and go above and beyond to make your experience perfect. The only theatre I go to.
I LOVE working at The Prospector! It's mission and the people that work here have filled my life with so much meaning. We are encouraged to grow and discover new passions and to turn those new passions into jobs. I'm proud to be a Prospect and all the good work we've done.
The Prospector truly demonstrates the value of engaging people with disabilities in the workplace! Since 2014, the Prospector has made an impact for the better on the town of Ridgefield. I have been working with the Prospector since 2016. I recently made Grants Manager and love my job! One of the highlights about my job is to educate about and educate for our mission of competitive and inclusive employment for people with disabilities.
I have worked at the Prospector for almost 5 years now. I can say it is one of the most tight-knit organizations with a fantastic mission to employ people with disabilities and prove that inclusive employment can better your business. From the moment you walk in the Prospector, you are treated like a VIP and we pride ourselves on Pink Glove Service and going above and beyond to ensure you have the best moviegoing experience!
This is a beautiful theater: the building and the interior design, the experience provided by staff, the movies and film festivals offered, and as an employer providing not just jobs but career development. I don't know anybody who doesn't love this theater; how many places can we say that about? I have physical challenges which would prevent me from being hired at nearly any other job. Fortunately, this unique not-for-profit provides opportunities for adults with disabilities (like me) while serving the community as a favorite location for entertainment.
I was hired after being recommended by someone who worked at the theater. I've worked there for 7 terrific years doing everything from answering phones in the box office to giving usher speeches and doing the narrative description reviews for accessibility by the visually impaired to make sure the movies are accessible to the visually impaired. I hope to do mission promotions and community outreach.
I have worked at the Prospector Theater since it opened in 2014. As a young adult with disabilities, I am grateful for the opportunity to be a valued employee. I have learned a variety of new skills and have been supported by a caring staff. I love coming to work and giving the customers pink glove service.
From the moment that I walked into the Prospector Theater for the first time, I was blown away. I was immediately greeted by an usher and the folks at the box office asked me how they can help. My first thought was where am I? I am used to just being an anonymous face in the crowd at a movie theater.
Seeing the movie was also an experience I will not forget. My husband went to get seats for us while I went to the concession stand to actually experience even more first class service! When I was ready to enter the theater, an usher approached me and offered to escort me with a flashlight to my seat as it was already dark. I highly recommend that everyone has a Prospector experience!