Shakespeare Site Could Put Stratford 'On The Map,' Residents Say

STRATFORD, CT — Community members hope to see the American Shakespeare Festival Theatre site's future reflect its past as a destination for the arts. A public forum about the property was hosted Tuesday at Stratford Town Hall by a task force charged with collecting feedback about the site after the long-vacant venue burned down in January.

"It is a huge opportunity for our community to put itself on the map again," resident Karen Rodia said of the property.

Opened in 1955 and host to famous actors and actresses, the theater largely stopped showing plays in the 1980s. There had been talk for decades about how to revitalize the historic site before the blaze. Three teenagers have been charged in connection with the fire. The theater property, which is located in American Shakespeare State Park, is deeded to the town by the state and intended for community use.

Members of the public who attended Tuesday's forum mainly expressed interest in using the property as some sort of space for the arts.

"We need to look at what's worked in other places," said Steve Raguskus, who suggested the site might succeed under a well-connected board of directors capable of raising funds for the property.

Barbara Heimlich cited the Parsons Center in Milford, the Westports Arts Center and the Seabury Center in Westport as examples of nearby successful arts facilities.

Multiple people suggested the property might make a suitable home for Stratford's Square One Theatre Co., while others said hosting Shakespeare performances should be a priority for the site.

"I say, when in Rome," said Rosemary Martin Hayduk. "This is Stratford."

Tom Evans, who is involved in organizing an arts festival planned for the site during the first full weekend of September, said a theater at the location could transform Main Street.

In addition to Tuesday's forum, about 700 people this spring offered input about the property through community workshops, an online survey and other feedback. Experts in June reviewed the results of the outreach effort.

After the public spoke Tuesday, task force members and town officials answered questions and offered their thoughts.

"It's pretty clear what people want," Director of Economic Development Mary Dean said. "So I think the job is to find out how we do it."

Task force co-chair Anthony Nizzardo said the group will present the community outreach results to the Stratford Redevelopment Agency, which will then determine how to move forward. Task force member Ed Goodrich suggested Stratford hire a reputable theater consultant as the town proceeds with the property.