Steve And Dorothy Capers Have Revived Oak Bluffs’ Historic Gem
Until recently, the Strand Theatre stood like a weathered sentinel at the corner of Circuit Avenue, its faded red letters spelling out “Strand” above the entrance, a whisper of its 1915 glory. Oak Bluffs buzzed around it—tourists licking ice cream cones, locals weaving through summer crowds.
For years, the theatre had been a ghost, its doors locked since the pandemic shuttered its lights. Built by Michael Keegan in the old Oddfellows Hall, it had once been the heart of the island’s cinematic dreams, screening silent films and later talkies under the Hall family’s stewardship. By 2022, it was a relic, its 214 seats gathering dust.
Enter Steve and Dorothy Capers, seasonal Vineyarders with a passion for entertainment. The married couple saw more than a crumbling facade when they leased the Strand from the Hall family.
Steve, a former Comedy Central veteran who’d worked with legends like Dave Chappelle, and Dorothy, his sharp-witted partner with a knack for spotting opportunity, weren’t just looking to slap on a new coat of paint. They wanted to breathe life into the theatre, to make it a beacon for the community again, recognizing it is not just a building. It’s a stage for stories: the Capers’, the island’s, everyone’s.
The Capers’ vision was bold. They didn’t just want movies flickering on the screen; they wanted laughter, music, and voices echoing through the space. Their first move was practical—restoring the interior to its former elegance. The 2015 renovation by the Martha’s Vineyard Theater Foundation had already raised over $1 million to modernize the Strand and its sister theatre, the Capawock, but time and neglect had taken their toll.
Steve and Dorothy oversaw new plush seats, a state-of-the-art projector, and a sound system that could make Jaws’ iconic score rumble in your chest. They preserved the historic charm—the arched ceiling, the vintage marquee—but added modern touches: a coffee bar in the lobby serving Guatemalan and Peruvian blends, and upstairs, a sleek podcast studio for local voices to share their tales.
But the real magic was in how they opened the Strand’s doors. Steve, through his Knock Knock Productions, had already made the island laugh with the Martha’s Vineyard Comedy Fest, a celebration of Black comedians that continues to draw crowds as it enters its 14th year.
Dorothy envisioned more: Strand Jams for local musicians, dance recitals, speaker symposiums, even weddings down the theatre’s grand aisle. It is a place for everyone: kids, elders, and artists.
The Strand had always been a survivor, weathering the Great Depression, changing hands, and multiple closures. Under the Capers, it isn’t just surviving—it is thriving. The duo has turned it into a cultural hub, a place where Black history and island tradition intertwine.
The Comedy Fest nodded to comedians like Richard Pryor and Moms Mabley, while fundraisers for politicians like Kamala Harris and Wes Moore underscored the island’s growing role as a center of Black political power. T
he Strand is no longer just a theatre. It is a legacy reborn. Its story unfolds with every laugh, song, and story shared within its walls.
MORE INFO
11 Oak Bluffs Ave, Oak Bluffs
508-687-9681
info@StrandTheatreMV.com
