(Chatham, NY — February 20, 2025) — The Crandell Theatre is pleased to announce the election of John T. Lillis (above) as President of Crandell Theatre Inc. The board has also elected Ghent resident Amy Barr as a Director of the Crandell Theatre.
“It is my honor to be given the opportunity to participate in leading the Crandell Theatre forward at this exciting moment in its history,” said Lillis. “The renovation project for the theater, which is nearing its 100th birthday, is proceeding on schedule for a Fall 2025 reopening. Plans are in process to expand the film and non-film programming to provide the community with important entertainment and educational experiences.”
Reflecting on the past work of former president Lydia Kukoff, Lillis added, “I am grateful for the many years of strong Crandell leadership by my predecessor, Lydia Kukoff. Her guiding hand has positioned the Crandell to move forward to the next 100 years of service to our community. We on the Board cannot thank Lydia enough for her many years of insightful, steady leadership.”
Lillis retired as partner of White & Case LLP, a New York City law firm. He joined the Crandell Board of Directors in January 2024. During his 39-year tenure at White & Case, he focused on the tax planning and documentation in mergers and acquisitions transactions, as well as the tax aspects of investment funds formation. He served as Chair of the Firm’s Global Tax Committee. He also served for 9 years on the Board of Trustees and on the Executive Committee of LeMoyne College in Syracuse, New York. He serves on the Board of Directors of a private U.S. based investment company. He lives in Old Chatham.
Amy Barr
A Ghent resident for more than 30 years, Amy Barr is an editor and writer with extensive experience creating content for print magazines and digital properties. She’s excited to introduce the third generation of Barrs — her grandchildren — to the delights of the Crandell.
For more information about the Board of Directors and Crandell staff, visit https://crandelltheatre.org/about/crandell-board-staff/.
About the Crandell
The Crandell Theatre in Chatham, NY, is one of a few community-based, nonprofit theaters in the United States devoted to film and one of fewer than one hundred single-screen movie theaters nationally. Beginning in 2010, Crandell Theatre Inc., raised more than $1 million to purchase the historic theater and make needed repairs. The current Crandell board is engaged in a multi-million-dollar campaign to renovate and restore the area’s oldest, largest, single-screen theater and enhance the moviegoing experience for generations to come. The theater continues to show offsite screenings at area locations while it is closed for construction. For more information, visit crandelltheatre.org, or call 518-392-3445.