For decades, Cooper was one of Hollywood’s most treasured movie stars — and he spent many summers with his family in Southampton. Later, he was buried there next to his wife.

The Gary Cooper Festival is the Playhouse’s signature May event and a prelude to its summer program. Cooper was a beloved presence around town, but much about that period of his life has been lost to history — until now. The Festival resurrects Cooper’s connections with the Southampton community in tandem with celebrating the eclectic nature of his career, and the potential for his filmography to catalyze a range of conversations about art, culture, and society that continue to resonate today.

This year’s second edition features screenings, special guests, and discussions that will once again cast new light on Cooper’s legacy and its relevance today.