Year’s end has always been a time for self-reflection, for “best of” lists, and for revisiting memories from the recent past. While we have much to be thankful for in 2018–including our Berkshire Theatre Award for Outstanding Ensemble Production (for The Aliens)–we’d like to take an opportunity look forward to the new year.
2019 will mark Chester Theatre Company’s 30th Season. We are grateful to have reached this remarkable milestone, and we are excited for all that lies ahead. We will be announcing our new season at the beginning of January, and we promise it will further our mission to bring intelligent, engaging, thought-provoking theatre–the kind of theatre you love–to the welcoming atmosphere of the Town Hall.
Last summer, we announced Dramatic Results: the Capital Campaign for Chester Theatre Company. The campaign will continue into next summer, and we are already able to share with you some of the “dramatic results” that you will soon see and experience.
Work has begun on the house at 4 Main Street. In the spirit of “out with the old, in with the new,” we are looking forward to creating a true home for our summer intern education program. The renovation required relocation of our offices for the duration of the project. In a stroke of good fortune, a beautiful, light-filled office space became available just down the block. We have realized that permanently moving our offices out of the house to 19 Main Street will serve the organization, the year-round staff, and the interns to greater effect, and 4 Main will now be a dedicated residence. Going forward, we have plans to utilize the house for playwriting residencies in the off-season, which will give us the opportunity to generate original work right here in Chester.
In addition to improving the interns’ house, we are making some wonderful improvements to the “house” where we stage our productions. A generous coalition of donors has come together to fund an assistive listening system for the theatre. Devices will now be available at the box office for those who need them!
And, while we can’t imagine needing it at this particular moment, we will be installing a brand new air-conditioning system in advance of the season. The theatre-going experience will be as comfortable as possible for everyone who steps through the doors of Chester’s Town Hall.
As we prepare to turn the page on the new year, we want to thank you for all you do to make Chester Theatre Company shine brightly. We look forward to welcoming you back next summer with great excitement, gratitude, and warmth.