The Warner Theatre, received a boost to Phase II of its Capital Campaign when Torrington Savings Bank announced plans to donate $100,000 to establish the historic theatre's endowment fund. The pledge will be paid out over four years in equal installments.
Besides an endowment, Phase II of the Capital Campaign includes the construction of the new Carole and Ray Neag Performing Arts Center, currently under construction, as well as upgrades to the existing main theatre building.
The theatre also recently received a challenge grant, as part of a larger donation from the Community Foundation of Northwest Connecticut. The Challenge was for the Warner to create an
endowment fund. Torrington Savings Bank's generous gift fulfills the theatre's obligation set forth by the Community Foundation.
"Torrington Savings Bank has been a long time supporter of the Warner so it's fitting that as a hometown financial institution they have stepped forward with the lead gift for our endowment campaign. Their generous gift will no doubt encourage others to do their part in securing the financial future of Litchfield County's largest performing arts center," said Muff Maskovsky, President of the Warner Theatre's Board of Directors.
Torrington Savings Bank previously donated $100,000 to Phase I of the theatre's capital campaign which realized the restoration of the 1931 art deco style main theatre, an historic downtown Torrington landmark.
The theatre's Phase II Capital Campaign centers on the creation of the new Carole and Ray Neag Performing Arts Center complex in the historic former Mertz Department Store building on Main Street adjacent to the theatre. The new complex will house the Warner's onsite school for the arts, the Warner Theatre Center for Arts Education, as well as the new 200-seat Nancy Marine Studio Theatre. The project will ultimately include an addition to the main stage house that incorporates augmented dressing room facilities, support space to accommodate set construction and improved technical requirements, including modernized stage rigging. Phase II also includes several non-bricks and mortar components that focus on financial and operational efficiencies.
The Carole and Ray Neag Performing Arts Center is named after Carole and Ray Neag, former Torrington residents, who generously donated $1 million dollars to the project. Mr. and Mrs. Neag's gift has encouraged others in the community to match dollar-for-dollar their million dollar donation in what Muff Maskovsky, President of the Warner Theatre Board of Directors, has coined "The Neag Challenge".
"These facilities will expand and strengthen our vital arts education initiatives and more," said James Patrick, Executive Director for the Warner Theatre. He continued, "At a time when arts education programs are being reduced or cut altogether from school budgets across the country, our programs and classes in acting, dance, technical theatre and beyond fulfill an educational need in our community. Our new center will see thousands of students and patrons flow through its doors experiencing a wide range of diverse programming. Now, with the help of Torrington Savings Bank and others in the community the financial future of the Warner is well on its way to becoming secure."
Phase I of the Warner Theatre Restoration project was completed in November 2002 and featured a complete restoration and renovation of the theatre's public spaces and administrative offices. The theatre is celebrating its 77th anniversary with the upcoming 2007-2008 Season. Construction of the Neag Center is expected to be completed this fall.
Chartered in Connecticut in 1868, Torrington Savings Bank is one of the longest established banks in the state serving 23 cities and towns in the Northwest corner of Connecticut. They pride themselves on providing outstanding personalized customer service and community involvement that directly improves the quality of life in the communities they serve.
About the Warner Theatre Built by Warner Brothers Studios and opened in 1931 as a movie palace, 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 lobbies and auditorium was completed in November 2002. Today, the Warner is in operation year-round with more than 160 performances and some 92,000 patrons passing through its doors each season. 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.
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