Groundbreaking Planned for new Multi-Million Dollar Performing
Arts Center in Downtown Torrington
TORRINGTON, CT -The Warner Theatre, 68 Main Street, will be holding a groundbreaking ceremony for the new multi-million dollar Carole and Ray Neag Performing Arts Center on Wednesday, May 31st at 5:30pm at the Warner Theatre Center for Arts Education located at 84 Main Street in back of the former Mertz Department store. A press conference will also be held for this milestone event.
The new Carole and Ray Neag Performing Arts Center complex, which is part of the historic theatre’s Phase II Capital Campaign, includes the Warner Theatre Center for Arts Education facility as well as a new 200-seat Nancy Marine Studio Theatre. The facility is named after Carole and Ray Neag, former Torrington residents, who generously donated $1 million dollars to the project . Mr. and Mrs. Neag’s gift has encouraged others in the community to match dollar-for-dollar their million dollar donation in what Muff Maskovsky, President of the Warner Theatre Board of Directors, has coined “The Neag Challenge”.
“These facilities will expand and strengthen our vital arts education initiatives and more,” said James Patrick, executive director for the Warner Theatre. He continued, ”At a time when arts education programs are being reduced or cut altogether from school budgets across the country, our programs and classes in acting, dance, technical theatre and beyond fulfill an educational need in our community. The new 200-seat Nancy Marine Studio Theatre that will be housed in the Carole and Ray Neag Performing Arts Center will see thousands of students and patrons flow through its doors experiencing a wide range of diverse programming.”
The Phase II plans focus on adapting the historic Mertz Building, adjacent to the theatre on Main Street, to include a brand new state-of-the-art 200-seat black box-style theatre, an expanded and renovated center for arts education and renovated retail space. The project will also include an addition to the main stage house that incorporates augmented dressing room facilities, support space to accommodate set construction and technical requirements for productions and a modern stage rigging system. Phase II also includes several non-bricks and mortar components that focus on financial and operational efficiencies.
Phase I of the Warner Theatre Restoration project was completed in November 2002 and featured a complete restoration and renovation of the theatre’s public spaces and administrative offices. The theatre, which is celebrating its 75th anniversary with the 2005-2006 Season, is in the process of completing its fundraising efforts. Construction is expected to be completed within one year’s time. |
About the Warner Theatre
Built by Warner Brothers Studios and opened in 1931 as a movie palace, the Warner Theatre was described then as “Connecticut’s Most Beautiful Theatre.” Damaged extensively in a flood, the Warner was slated for demolition in the early 1980s until the non-profit Northwest Connecticut Association for the Arts (NCAA) was founded and purchased the theatre. The Warner reopened as a performing arts center in 1983, and restoration of the lobbies and auditorium was completed in November 2002. Today, the Warner is in operation year-round with more than 125 performances and some 80,000 patrons passing through its doors each season. NCAA’s mission is to preserve the Warner Theatre as an historic landmark, enhance its reputation as a center of artistic excellence and a focal point of community involvement, and satisfy the diverse cultural needs of the region. To learn more about the Warner Theatre, visit our website: www.warnertheatre.org.
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