The Westport Country Playhouse has raised $1.8 million in cash and pledges from 300 donors toward its $2 million “Save Your Playhouse” campaign goal to expand the appeal of the theater. The deadline for contributions to close the $200,000 gap is today, Monday, July 31. ”¯
“As proven by this vote of confidence from many donors,”¯our community continues to rally to keep the playhouse doors open and raise the curtain on a new direction,” said Athena T. Adamson, chair, playhouse board of trustees. “People who believe in our vision are committing dollars. We are confident that we can reach our financial goal. ”¯
“We are indeed grateful to our donors for their exceeding generosity and their commitment to bolster the success of our ”˜Save Your Playhouse”™ fundraising campaign. ”¯
“While there”™s a deep respect for the (playhouse”™s 92-year) history and what it is today, there”™s also an eagerness for growth, change and the next chapter,” she added.”¯“We are listening. We care about what the audience wants to see on the playhouse stage. In turn, the audience is stepping up to offer their support.”
Last week, the board of trustees announced that director, playwright and actor Mark Shanahan has been appointed incoming artistic director for the 2024-25 season.”¯He will officially assume the position in March 2024.”¯Currently,”¯Shanahan is curator of the playhouse”™s Script in Hand play-reading series. Shanahan will succeed”¯artistic director Mark Lamos, who in May announced his planned retirement in January 2024 after 15 seasons.
Also beginning in 2024, Westport Country Playhouse will be a performing arts center from January through August, presenting a series of single night events, including cabaret, comedy, music, play-readings and speakers. From September 2024 through March 2025, the playhouse will mount three theatrical productions, under the artistic direction of Shanahan.
”¯“The community is changing, and we must adapt our programming,” Adamson said. “We won”™t lose our theatergoers. We simply are looking to increase our audience by offering more entertainment options.”¯Our board of trustees wants the playhouse to be here for the entire community, with performances onstage to appeal to everyone.”
”¯For highlights of the campaign and to donate, click here. Naming opportunities are available, including engraved paving stones in the playhouse courtyard and seat plates in the theater. For naming inquiries, contact”¯development@westportplayhouse.org.
