Norma Terris Theatre facts for kids
| Address | 33 North Main Street Chester, Connecticut United States |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 41°24′19″N 72°27′12″W / 41.4054°N 72.4533°W |
| Owner | Goodspeed Musicals |
| Type | Regional theatre |
| Opened | 1984 |
The Norma Terris Theatre is a special theatre located in Chester, Connecticut. It is the second stage for Goodspeed Musicals, a well-known group that creates and performs musicals. This theatre is dedicated to developing and showing brand-new musical plays.
About the Norma Terris Theatre
The Norma Terris Theatre officially opened in 1984. It was named in honor of a famous actress named Norma Terris. She was a big star in a musical called Show Boat. Norma Terris was also a great supporter and trustee of the Goodspeed Opera House later in her life.
Who was Norma Terris?
Norma Terris was present at the dedication ceremony for the theatre in 1984. In 1987, she started The Norma Terris Fund. This fund helps new actors grow their careers. It also helps promote musical theatre, making sure new shows can be created and performed.
From Factory to Theatre
The building where the Norma Terris Theatre is now used to be a factory. In the early 1900s, it was a knitting needle factory for a company called Susan Bates, Inc. In 1982, Susan Bates, Inc. moved to a bigger place. They decided to donate their empty factory building in Chester, Connecticut, to Goodspeed Musicals.
The building was then transformed into a performing space with about 200 seats. It opened its doors on July 10, 1984. The very first new musical shown there was called Harrigan ’N Hart.
