Possible Venue Size At Shakespeare Site Discussed By Subcommittee

STRATFORD, CT — Officials tasked with evaluating three possible uses for the former site of the American Shakespeare Festival Theatre considered Thursday the potential size, restrictions and partnerships for a replacement venue.

At its first meeting in January, the Shakespeare Property Subcommittee determined it would consider three options for the 12-acre site: an outdoor venue, an indoor multipurpose facility and an open space.

"Ideally, I think we'd want to incorporate all three," subcommittee member Tom Evans said.

Evans suggested the group look at a wide range of outdoor stages, from the Xfinity Theatre in Hartford, which seats 30,000, to the Levitt Pavilion in Westport, which has a capacity for 2,400 and cost $7 million to build.

Others in attendance expressed interest in something smaller. Member Richard Tallberg said his connections in the theater industry recommended that, given the size of the town, the group consider a venue under 2,000 seats — comparable to the Delacorte Theater in New York City or Shakespeare's Globe in London.

Evans noted outdoor venues are not typically in residential areas, and the location of the Shakespeare site might be an issue.

"We have to be very careful about noise on the property," he said. "... Having an outdoor venue does add that challenge."

The subcommittee also discussed adding an education component to either an outdoor venue or indoor space, possibly through a development partnership.

"It's unlikely that any of these things could be done on the town's dime alone," member Peter Wood said.

Tallberg added that sponsorship could be an option for an indoor space, particularly if a large organization such as Lockheed Martin or the University of Connecticut were interested in putting its name on the building.

"Any of these facilities will not be supported entirely by Stratford people," Evans said, adding the subcommittee shouldn't limit its scope based on the town's population.

The group discussed the Fairfield Theatre Company facility as one indoor space to evaluate for future discussion.

In considering the open space option, member Tom Dillon appealed to the town to make the property at 1880 Elm St. more attractive in the coming years, possibly with a pedestrian pathway system, while the town decides how to proceed.

Mayor Laura Hoydick expressed concern about the cost and safety of Dillon's idea, but Director of Economic Development Mary Dean said work is already underway to improve lighting and install sculptures on the grounds.

The Shakespeare theater opened in 1955 and was host to famous actors and actresses for years, but largely stopped showing plays in the 1980s. There had been talk for decades about how to revitalize the historic site before it was destroyed in January 2019. Three teenagers have been charged in connection with the fire. The theater property is deeded to the town by the state, and all the uses being evaluated by the subcommittee are in compliance with the deed.

Also Thursday, Hoydick reported the old theater costume house had been recommended for demolition but is not scheduled to be torn down yet, Dean said a topographical survey has been ordered and member Greg Reilly noted environmental testing may be necessary at the property.