Sacred Heart University Community Theatre facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Sacred Heart University Community Theatre |
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The Sacred Heart University Community Theatre in 2022.
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| Location | Fairfield, Connecticut, U.S. |
| Area | 3,000 square feet |
| Built | 1920 |
| Governing body | Sacred Heart University |
| Website | https://shucommunitytheatre.org/ |
The Sacred Heart University Community Theatre is a special place in Fairfield, Connecticut. It's a theater run by Sacred Heart University where you can enjoy many different kinds of shows. You can find it on Fairfield's main street at 1424 Post Road.
This theater has had a few names over the years. From 2001 to 2009, it was called the Fairfield Community Theatre Foundation. Then, from 2009 to 2011, it was known as the Community Film Institute. In 2019, a company called Kleban Properties bought the theater, which had been empty for a while. They then allowed Sacred Heart University to use the building.
Who Works at the Theatre?
Since 2021, Matt Oestreicher has been the executive director. He is a music producer who has brought in many talented people to help run the theater. For example, Joseph Gray, who used to work at The Apollo, is the production manager. Gary Lindemann is the operations manager, and Tim Walsh from the band The Stepkids is the technical director.
Students from Sacred Heart University also help out. They work in different areas, like at the box office, which is where tickets are sold.
What Kinds of Shows Can You See?
The Sacred Heart University Community Theatre offers many exciting programs and series. Here are some of the types of shows you can enjoy:
- Jazz Series - This series features amazing jazz musicians. In 2023, artists like Marc Ribot and Al Dimeola performed here.
- Broadway on Post Series - If you love Broadway, this series is for you! It brings Broadway stars and shows to Fairfield.
- Singer/Songwriter Series - This series showcases artists who write and perform their own songs. Edwin McCain and Beth Orton were part of the 2023 season.
- Rock Series - The theater hosts several rock concerts each year. Bands like Average White Band and artists like Willie Nile have played here.
- Comedy Series - Get ready to laugh with this series! It features stand-up comedians like Drew Lynch and Gary Gulman.
- World Music Series - This series brings music from all over the world to the stage. You might see groups like Ladysmith Black Mambazo or Cherish the Ladies.
- Classical Series - Enjoy beautiful classical music performances.
- Local Legends - This program highlights talented people from the local area.
- Century of Cinema - Learn about how movies have changed and grown over time.
- Big Screen Blockbusters - Watch popular and exciting movies on the big screen.
- Film Events with Q&A - See a movie and then get to ask questions to the filmmakers or experts.
- Family Film Series - Enjoy movies that are perfect for the whole family.
- Thought Leader Series - Listen to interesting talks from people who are experts in different fields.
- Educational Programming - These programs help people learn new things.
- The Movie Maker program - This program helps people learn how to make their own movies.
A Look Back at the Theatre's History
The theater first opened its doors in 1920 as a local movie house. It was a place where people could go to watch films. In 1979, they added a second screen, so more movies could be shown at once.
The building has changed a lot over the years. For example, there used to be an office and a lounge behind one of the balconies. But in 1950, the owner made the office bigger, which meant the lounge became smaller. In the past, a special lift would even bring an organ up from the basement onto the stage for performances! The theater also used to host live stage shows before it became mainly a movie theater in the 1970s.
In the late 1990s, a company tried to run it as a special movie theater showing unique films, but it didn't work out, and the theater closed in the spring of 2001.
A local real estate investor named Leo Redgate remembered watching the movie "Jaws" at the theater when he was a kid. He thought it would be great for the community to bring the theater back to life. He started a foundation, used his own money to fix up the building, and got volunteers, including high school students, to help. By the end of 2001, the theater was open again! The last public movie showing under that management was on September 8, 2011. Later, Sacred Heart University bought the Community Theatre.
