VIDEO: Streator Eagle 6 prepares to open pop-up drive-in theater

Kelsa Bowen can understood the excitement that's being generated by Streator Eagle 6's pop-up drive-in movie theater, she hasn't been to a drive-in since she was 8 years old.

"People are excited for something different," said Bowen, the regional manager for Eagle Theaters, which operates Streator Eagle 6. "It's nice and you can be outdoors. You can get out of the house and watch something that's on a screen bigger than your phone, and do something different."

Streator Eagle 6 plans to open their pop-up drive-in movie theater 8:45 p.m. Wednesday, in the movie theater's parking lot, with a showing of "The Breakfast Club." Tickets are $5.50 per person.

Bowen talked with The Times and NewsTrib during a Saturday morning Zoom video conference to outline how the theater will work.

Streator Eagle 6 had hoped to open up in Phase 3 of the governor's reopening plan with small or private screenings of 10 or less people, but the plan didn't meet all of the safety guidelines in Phase 3, Bowen said.

Drive-in movie theaters, however, are allowed in Phase 2.

Bowen said the theater will install a 30-foot wide, 16-foot tall heavy duty screen right in front of the movie theater's front entrance. Capacity will be about 30 cars, give or take, she said.

Some outdoor seating with social distancing will be provided as an overflow.

Visitors will be able to listen to the sound through their car radios using an FM transmittor.

And popcorn and conessions items will be able to be ordered online when buying tickets, or during the show.

"If you can, reserve a time on our website," Bowen said, noting there will be a limited capacity.

She also asked for customers' patience while the movie theater staff works out any wrinkles in the idea or works within the guidelines set by the state. The movie theater plans to run a pop-up drive-in until the state reaches phase 4 of reopening, which can happen at the earliest later in late June. Phase 4 would allow gatherings of up to 50 people.

"Just come and be excited," she said.

Go to https://www.facebook.com/StreatorEagle6/ for more information or updates on showings.

Week 1 showings:

June 3, 4: The Breakfast Club

June 5: Back to the Future

June 6: E.T.

June 7: The Bourne Ultimatum

Bowen said "The Fast and the Furious," "Trolls World Tour," "Jaws," and "Field of Dreams" are planned for Week 2.