To say Alison Omens, the new executive director of the North Fork Arts Center (NFAC) in Greenport, is thinking about the future of the iconic theater would be an understatement.
The former Obama administration aide, who officially took the helm in mid-May, has no shortage of ideas for strengthening NFAC’s role as a cultural hub on the North Fork.
As she unlocked the front door on a recent Sunday morning, she smiled.
“It’s so cool that I have keys to a theater!”
Omens brings an infectious optimism to the theater’s next chapter. The venue was revitalized three years ago under the leadership of Tony Spiridakis, who remains chairman of the board. On her first official day, Omens joined Spiridakis in cutting the ribbon on NFAC’s newly completed $500,000 HVAC and elevator renovation project.
“I’m excited about building a sustainable future for the arts center,” she said. “We’re looking at what needs to be done to the building because it’s old. We’re looking at the business side of things, what the community wants, and even what kind of food we offer.”
Creating ‘magic’
That can-do attitude stems from the journey that brought her to the East End.
Raised near San Diego, Omens studied American government and politics at Scripps College in Claremont, California. She then spent more than a decade working in media relations and public affairs in Washington, D.C. In 2014, she earned a master’s degree in public administration from Harvard Kennedy School. While serving in the Obama administration, she advised Labor Secretary Tom Perez on private-sector engagement, working closely with business leaders.
In 2016, she moved to Brooklyn and joined JUST Capital, an organization that surveys Americans about corporate behavior and business priorities. After nearly a decade with the organization, she was named its president.
By the winter of 2025, Omens and her family had been living in Greenport for five years. Around that time, she began getting to know Spiridakis and admired what he had accomplished in reviving the historic theater. She wanted to help strengthen its connections to the community and proposed gathering local artists and arts supporters for a dinner.
“Bringing people together is what I’m passionate about,” she said. “I always feel that we can create magic together. I feel lucky to be able to do this. It’s amazing to step into a role where everyone wants you to succeed.”
Her plans were briefly sidelined when her husband experienced health issues. She becomes emotional recalling the support her family received from the Greenport community during that period.
“I don’t know if I would have made it through without them,” she said.
‘A unique place’
In July of last year, Spiridakis reached out to discuss working together. Six months later, in January, Omens officially came aboard. He remains chairman of the board.
Her vision centers on creating year-round collaborations with Greenport and the broader arts community. One possibility, she said, could involve partnering with the proposed ice rink planned for nearby Mitchell Park.
“It’s a unique place out here with the arts community, Greenport itself, and the maritime and agricultural heritage,” she said. “We can be more than a movie theater.”
She envisions world-renowned performers — dancers, painters, musicians and actors — appearing at NFAC while creating opportunities to connect with local artists.
Omens also hopes to strengthen relationships with local schools and youth organizations.
A recent sold-out premiere event for “The Devil Wears Prada” drew nearly 300 people and became a distinctly local celebration. Attendees received clothing from Times Vintage on Main Street, while Greenport Spirits provided wine.
“Anne Hathaway’s stunt double was there, along with her prop master, and both have local connections,” Omens said.
The success of that event has her thinking similar opportunities may exist when “Practical Magic 2” premieres later this year.
Stand-up and piano karaoke
Another surprise success came during a rainy Memorial Day weekend.
“We ran ‘The Sheep Detective,’ a family-friendly movie, and it was sold out for three weeks,” she said. “We had to add another showing, and we weren’t expecting that.”
While movies — whether premieres or classics — contribute to NFAC’s revenue, Omens said much of the organization’s funding comes from New York State grants and community support. Attendance, she noted, has grown significantly over the past year.
“It’s possible we might have stand-up comedians and piano karaoke,” she said.
A recently acquired Steinway Model B piano will make its debut June 20, when composer-pianist Bruce Wolosoff performs an evening of blues, American vernacular music and a new work written specifically for the occasion. The performance will be accompanied by projected images from artists including David Salle, Edvard Munch, Vincent van Gogh and Margaret Garrett.
Omens and Spiridakis are also exploring ways to use the Steinway to attract additional musical programming, including tango and cabaret performances.
Along with expanding programming, NFAC leaders are discussing a potential transformation of the building’s second floor into a flexible space that could include classrooms, backstage facilities and updated technology.
“It’s not inexpensive,” Omens said. “We’d have to launch a capital campaign, but it’s something we’re focusing on this year.”
Another idea under consideration is a film club featuring screenings followed by audience discussions.
“It might be a cult classic followed by a discussion,” she said.
She also sees opportunities for events tied to the North Fork’s wine industry, including screenings of films such as “Sideways.”
Sitting in the theater’s café, with its colorful Art Deco tile floor, Omens discussed another area of potential growth. While moviegoers once enjoyed homemade desserts before and after screenings, the building lacks a full kitchen.
“We have the classic movie fare — candy and popcorn — but we may begin offering more local products, like Disset Chocolate,” she said.
Balancing all of NFAC’s various responsibilities remains one of the most challenging aspects of the job.
“It’s a capital project. It’s a movie theater, a nonprofit, an arts center, all in an old building,” Omens said. “These things don’t automatically go together.”
Still, she embraces the challenge.
“I try to explore and be experimental while maintaining our core programs,” she said. “Tony is ambitious about what this place can become. I want to ensure we’re an anchor for arts education. In six months, we’ll know what worked and what didn’t.”
Greenport, she added, possesses extraordinary creative talent.
“I’m hoping everyone connected to the arts world here reaches out to me,” she said.
‘Perfect person’
Spiridakis believes Omens is already bringing new energy to the organization.
“She’s the perfect person to take the mantle and get us to an even better place,” he said. “I always told the board and staff that my job was to get the plane into the air. Alison’s nonprofit experience is way beyond my experience level.”
The veteran director’s latest film, “Beyond Darkness,” is expected to reach theaters within the next year.
In just a few months, Spiridakis said, Omens has already built strong relationships with patrons and supporters.
“We are definitely making a difference for people on the North Fork,” he said, “and helping strengthen the community through the arts.”