The Warner Will Present a Screening of 'Building A Great Life'

The public is invited to a special screening of the documentary "BUILDING A GREAT LIFE" on Thursday, October 18 at 5:30 PM in the Warner's Nancy Marine Studio Theatre. The event is free, but registration is required. The one-hour documentary explores how the notion of closing state institutions in favor of community living for persons with intellectual disabilities is both a moral and fiscal debate. Light refreshments will be served and a facilitated discussion will follow the meeting.

The event is sponsored by the Connecticut Council on Developmental Disabilities in partnership with Disabilities Rights Connecticut, University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities (UConn UCEDD), The Arc Connecticut and LARC. To register for the screening, visit LARC's website at www.litchfieldarc.org. Please register by October 11.

Built by Warner Brothers Studios and opened in 1931 as a movie palace (1,772 seats), 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 main lobbies and auditorium was completed in November 2002. In 2008, the new 50,000 square foot Carole and Ray Neag Performing Arts Center, which houses a 300 seat Studio Theatre, 200 seat restaurant and expansive school for the arts, was completed. Today, the Warner is in operation year-round with more than 160 performances and 100,000 patrons passing through its doors each season. Over 10,000 students, pre K-adult, participate in arts education programs and classes. Together, with the support of the community, the Warner has raised close to $17 million to revitalize its facilities. 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.