Updated: May 6th, 2022
The Athena is moving to a “Masks Welcome” policy and will no longer require proof of vaccine or negative test for entry.
Updated: March 2nd, 2022
Effective Thursday March 3rd, the Athena Cinema will move to a masks optional policy. We will continue to offer our staff and patrons a higher standard of safety, by requiring proof of vaccine, or negative test, for entry to the theater. We will continue to provide masks for staff and patrons who would like to wear one.
Updated: September 22nd, 2021
Athena Cinema Supporters,
Starting Friday, October 1st, the Athena Cinema will begin operating under a vaccine mandate. The mandate will require proof of full vaccination status, or proof of a negative test taken within 48 hours. Exceptions will be made for children 12 and under. Masks are required for all patrons, regardless of age.
The measures go into effect starting October 1st and are subject to change and adjustments. The Athena Cinema is committed to offering our staff and patrons the safest experience possible and continuing to provide film programming during this time.
Beginning on Friday, October 1st, you will need one of the following items to gain entry to the theatre:
- Physical vaccination card
- Photo of vaccination card, on phone or printed (photo must be legible)
- Digital vaccination record
- Negative COVID-19 test result (PCR only, within 48 hours)
- Children under 12 who cannot yet be vaccinated may attend accompanied by a fully-vaccinated adult, and they must also wear a mask. Our existing mask policy will remain in place.
AND a photo ID.
Full vaccination means two weeks after the final dose of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines, or two weeks after the single dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine.
If you have a ticket for a screening on Friday, October 1st (or beyond) but are unable to comply with this new policy, please contact us at athenacinema@ohio.edu for a refund.
All guests will be required to wear face masks that cover the mouth and nose throughout the building, except when seated inside the theaters while eating and drinking.
Hand sanitizer stations have been installed throughout the building, and are refilled daily.
If you have any COVID-19 symptoms, have been in contact with anyone known to have been exposed to or tested positive for COVID-19, please cancel your visit to the theater—we will fully refund your order.
Updated: August 4th, 2021
Athena Cinema Supporters,
On Thursday, August 4th, Ohio University President Hugh Sherman delivered the following update to COVID-19 protocol, effective for all University buildings, including the Athena Cinema:
Effective tomorrow, students, faculty, staff, and visitors to all OHIO campuses are required to wear masks indoors in public/shared spaces, regardless of vaccination status. Masks also are required when entering, exiting, or standing in line to enter an indoor campus facility and are recommended outdoors for unvaccinated individuals who cannot maintain physical distance. There may be some cases where the University will require masking of everyone outdoors, regardless of vaccination status.
Beginning Thursday, August 5th, the Athena Cinema will require all staff and patrons, regardless of vaccination status, to wear masks in the theater. Patrons may only remove masks to consume food or drink whilst seated in their theater.
We understand that this change is sudden. Please work with us to help ensure the safety of family and friends, and take preventative measures as case numbers rise again throughout the country.
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Join us for a one night only screening of the the Nicolas Ray classic noir, IN A LONELY PLACE. 
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Roger “Dean” Gillispie (left) was sentenced to prison for crimes he did not commit, and was only released after 20+ years of efforts to appeal his case. The Ohio Innocence Project played a major role in the re-trial of his case and his eventual freedom.
