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 cool place in Fairfield, Connecticut. It's located right on Fairfield's main street at 1424 Post Road. This theatre is run by Sacred Heart University. It hosts many different kinds of shows and events. Before it became the Sacred Heart University Community Theatre in 2020, it had other names. It was once called the Community Film Institute and also the Fairfield Community Theatre Foundation. In 2019, a company called Kleban Properties bought the building. They then let Sacred Heart University use the space.
Who Works at the Theatre?
Since 2021, Matt Oestreicher has been the executive director. He is a music producer who helps run the theatre. He has brought in many skilled people to work there. These include a production manager, an operations manager, and a technical director. Students from Sacred Heart University also help out. They work in different areas, like at the box office.
What Shows and Programs Can You See?
The theatre offers many exciting series and programs for everyone. Here are some of the types of events you can enjoy:
- Music Series: You can hear many kinds of music here. There are Jazz, Broadway, Singer/Songwriter, Rock, and World Music shows. Famous artists often perform in these series.
- Comedy Series: Get ready to laugh! This series brings in funny comedians.
- Film Events: The theatre shows many movies. You can see classic films, big blockbusters, and family movies. Sometimes, there are special film events with discussions afterward.
- Educational Programs: The theatre also offers programs to help people learn. These include the Thought Leader Series and the Movie Maker program.
A Look at the Theatre's History
This theatre first opened its doors in 1920. Back then, it was a local movie house. In 1979, they added a second screen. 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. In 1950, the office was made bigger, and the lounge became smaller.
The theatre also used to host live stage performances. But in the 1970s, it was changed to focus only on movies. In the late 1990s, a company tried to run it as an art house, but it closed in 2001.
A local real estate investor named Leo Redgate wanted to bring the theatre back to life. He remembered watching movies there as a kid. He started a foundation and invested his own money to fix the building. Many volunteers, including high school students, helped too. By the end of 2001, the theatre was open again! It showed movies until September 8, 2011. Later, Sacred Heart University bought the Community Theatre.