Showtime!
One of Fairfield’s gems—the Community Theater—is coming back to life thanks to the support of Sacred Heart University and Kleban Properties, LLC. When the beloved theater closed its doors in 2011, few expected the building to remain vacant for ten years. Of late, frequent and exuberant social media posts reflect the joy residents feel about the landmark’s reincarnation as the SHU Community Theater.
According to SHU Community Theater Director, Bill Harris, “The state of the art facility will be in constant use thanks to its multi-purpose approach.
“We are committed to our mission which is to provide cinema, live performances, and education in one venue, particularly as the stewards of a century-old theater.”
While the facility existed as a movie house for the majority of its lifetime, the new SHU Community Theater will wear numerous hats. In many ways, it will be a community hub, as it will feature a staggering range of entertainment and enrichment for all ages.
Paying homage to its cinematic roots, the theater will run series such as “A Century of Cinema” and show classic films—some of which aired at the theater in their first run. Film-oriented masterclasses will feature a variety of guest speakers and topics, including a local Hitchcock scholar with viewings of the filmmaker’s work. A licensed partnership with Turner Classic Movies will also allow visitors to enjoy celebrated works on a giant screen, a welcome change from a year of forced home screenings. “What a treat for people to enjoy movies the way they were intended to be viewed—in a beautiful theater with a professional quality sound system and screen,” notes Mr. Harris.
Another program, The Fairfield Film Festival, will run ongoing works on a monthly basis, in addition to a larger event in the fall. Other film-related events will round out the calendar, including everything from Oscar parties to “Toddler Tuesdays.”
In addition to serving as a world-class cinema, the theater will revert to its original use, as a venue for live performances. What was once a vaudeville stage will become the site of comedy nights, cabarets, youth symphony concerts, and high-profile speakers. “SHU Off-Broadway” is an exciting opportunity to feature local Broadway stars in interviews and VIP evenings. As a part of the renovations, the theater’s former balcony area has been repurposed for events, still retaining views of the stage and screen.
Education is another key element to the restored facility. Sacred Heart has leased the space for ten years, which shows the university’s commitment to the theater’s new life. While SHU students and professors will use the theater for lectures, guest speakers, and events, local students of all levels will benefit from a huge selection of afterschool and weekend programs. Each day of the week will be devoted to a different category of entertainment, ranging from animated film screenings to courses on movie production and technology. SHU has wisely formed partnerships with many local organizations, including the Fairfield Public Library, Fairfield Museum and History Center, The Discovery Museum, and the Beardsley Zoo. “This is definitely a collaborative not competitive situation—we want to attract people to downtown Fairfield and experience how much the area has to offer,” Mr. Harris explains.
While the theater’s grand opening is on hold until Covid restrictions have been lifted, many unique virtual programs and performances are already being offered through the theater’s website and social media. The day the door officially opens to the public will certainly be a proud moment in Fairfield’s history!
