ROME — Organist Avery Tunningley feels accompanying a silent film gives him a major role of his own in its presentation to a theater audience.

“I feel like I am a part of the movie,” the Schenectady-based Tunningley said. “My music affects how the audience experiences it.”

Silent classic features will return to the big screen in an April Fools’ Day Silent Comedy Show at 7 pm. Saturday, April 1 at the historic Rome Capitol Theatre, 220 West Dominick St. They include Buster Keaton’s short feature “Sherlock, Jr.” plus short subjects starring Charlie Chaplin and Laurel and Hardy.

The movies will be accompanied live by Tunningley, playing the Capitol’s 1928 Moller theater organ and making his first appearance there in several years.

Tunningley recalled he started playing organ in 1979 at the age of 15, originally performing in organ concerts. One day, a man asked him if he could play for silent movies.

“I said, ‘I don’t know; I never tried,’” he said. “Then I tried it and that was it.”

Since then he has played at the Capitol for around two decades and also in several other theaters in New York and in New Jersey.

Tunningley said anyone who has never seen a silent movie is in for a nostalgic look back at the movies of the past — all set to his musical accompaniment.

“It will be a unique experience,” he promised. “Seeing a silent movie on the big screen in a historic theater is like stepping back in time. Also, my music will be largely improvised so the movies will never be presented the same way again.”

Tickets are $10 for adults, $8 for seniors, $6 for Capitol Friends and $3 for children. They are available at the Capitol Box Office during business hours, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, and online at www.romecapitol.com.