Warner Theatre Receives CHEFA Non-Profit Grant

The Warner Theatre received notification that it is the recipient of one of twelve 2017 Non-Profit Capital Needs Grants awarded by the Connecticut Health and Education Facilities Authority (CHEFA). The grant award of $29,960 will be used for the replacement/repair of a portion of the theatre's roof which covers the main auditorium. Over 50,000 people attend events in the Warner's main theatre each season, as well as thousands of schoolchildren who attend curricular-based programming. This section of the roof has an active leak, making this a priority for replacement.

"We are pleased to support the roof repairs for the Warner Theater. The Warner plays a significant role in the community supporting the arts in Northwest Connecticut, but also it serves as an economic driver as people going to the theater utilize restaurants and businesses in the area when they attend events", stated Jeanette Weldon, CHEFA's Executive Director. We are very grateful to CHEFA for providing the funding needed to repair the roof.

"The maintenance, availability and programming of this facility have a tremendous impact on patrons and students attending and performing in events at the Warner, as well as on the community at large," said Lynn Gelormino, Warner's Executive Director.

Work on the roof will begin in the Spring when contractors are able to safely access and complete the project. About the Warner Theatre 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.

To learn more about the Warner Theatre, visit our website: www.warnertheatre.org Warner Theatre | 68 Main Street Torrington, CT 06790 | www.warnertheatre.org.

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