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Our Story

Do Good. Be Happy. Work Hard. Prospect.

The Prospector Theater is the vision of Founder Valerie Jensen.

Val’s passion and lifelong work started when her sister, Hope, was born in 1979 with Down syndrome. After receiving her Master’s in Special Education, Val worked as an elementary teacher, then as executive director of an arts non-profit for adults with disabilities. There she wrote, designed, developed, and orchestrated live musicals and feature-length films starring adults with disabilities.

When creating her feature films and musicals, Val was always shocked by how many of her friends were unemployed. She knew how talented, motivated, capable, and hardworking they were. Her sister Hope has always loved her (THREE!) jobs, and Val wanted her friends to experience the joys of competitive, inclusive, and meaningful employment.

Val and fellows Prospects stand in an elevator at the Prospector Theater

"We didn’t need more trips to the park or zoo…

We needed meaningful employment."

One night when driving through town, Val passed the old Playhouse - Ridgefield's first ever movie theater. Although there were plans to demolish the old building, Val knew that this was the perfect opportunity to create a customer-facing business with a wide array of jobs. After several years of planning, designing, construction, and operationalizing, the Prospector opened on November 20th, 2014!

The Ridgefield Playhouse - Ridgefield’s first movie theater - in 1940.

The Ridgefield Playhouse - Ridgefield’s first movie theater - in 1940.

The Prospector Theater under construction in 2013

The Prospector Theater under construction in 2013

The Prospector Theater - 2014.

The Prospector Theater - 2014.

Through operating a first-run movie theater, Prospects educate and engage audiences, demonstrating our sparkle, talents, and employability.

The Prospector Theater is a sparkly beacon of hope for the millions of Americans who can work, want to work, yet struggle finding meaningful employment.

We fulfill our mission of meaningful employment EVERY DAY, demonstrating our philosophy that “working is working!” 

EJ operates a RED Camera while working on our Prospect Productions team.

Prospector Press

Our mission and story, as featured on the Sunday TODAY Show with Willie Geist.

How One Movie Theater Has Led the Way on Hiring Staff With Disabilities

After Parasite swept the Oscars in February, the team at the Prospector Theater in Ridgefield, Connecticut, began looking into how to become one of the 2,000 or more locations that received 2020's best picture winner.

The "Prospects" Look Good For This Local Connecticut Movie Theater

October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month but for one local movie theater in upscale Fairfield County, Connecticut, every day is about providing meaningful employment for people with disabilities.

In Ridgefield, a Movie Theater With a Lofty Mission

Arts | Ridgefield When Debbie Kadagian and her parents, Dale and Joan Learn, headed out for a Friday matinee of "Ricki and the Flash" recently, they did so with a simple goal. "We heard the movie was good, and we wanted a couple hours of escapism," Ms. Kadagian, of Ridgefield, said.

People With Disabilities Have A Hard Time Finding Jobs, And This Company Is Doing Something About It

A nonprofit movie theater in Connecticut is committed to giving people with physical or developmental disabilities an opportunity to succeed in the workforce.

Movie theater provides 'prospects' to disabled workers

After spending a decade working at a nonprofit serving adults with disabilities, Valerie Jensen knew there had to be a better way of helping her friends with special needs. "I realized that we really didn't need more art classes or craft shows, we just really needed jobs," she said.

State of Connecticut, Autism Action Coalition Name Prospector Theater "Employer of the Year" - BoxOffice Pro

(HARTFORD, CONNECTICUT) - In celebration of Autism Awareness Month, The Prospector Theater was invited to the state Capitol to receive the "Employer of the Year" award from the State of Connecticut and the Autism Action Coalition.

Yankees shine spotlight on Connecticut theater with a mission

Last week, the New York Yankees held their annual HOPE (Helping Others Persevere & Excel) Week Initiative, a five-day long celebration of individuals or organizations that are making a difference in their community. One of this year's honorees was none other than the Prospector Theater in Ridgefield.

This Movie Theater Is Run by People With Disabilities

The Prospector Theater in Ridgefield, Connecticut is run by people with disabilities. The theater has employed hundreds of people with disabilities and teaches them skills they can use anywhere.