Federal dollars give local theaters a boost

Three local theaters that recently received a total of $238,000 from the federal government’s Small Business Administration’s Shuttered Venue Operators Grant have been able to reopen, staging a Beach Boys tribute concert and paying operating expenses.

Little Theatre of Manchester received $123,000, CAST Children’s Theatre in Manchester received $60,000, and Opera House Players in Enfield received $55,000.

Speaking to colleagues and representatives of the three theaters who gathered at Cheney Hall in Manchester on Wednesday, U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., said the three theater companies received only a fraction of the $9 billion that has been allocated across the country.

Another $51 million remains in the Shuttered Venue Operators Grant. Though the portal for applications has closed, a window will open soon to allow for appeals for supplemental grants.

“Small business is integral,” he said. “Theaters are, in essence, a small business. It’s a private small business. It may be non-profit, but it still has a bottom line. I am amazed, first of all, by the richness and cultural diversity … of our theaters. Every one of them is individual. No two look alike, (or) do the same stuff. The diversity is so inspiring. They have roots deep in the community, the staff, volunteers, people they employ. They create jobs.

“Theaters are also a draw to downtown. They are a destination that makes possible more people going into restaurants and retail. They are a part of the nexus in any local economy. They create dreams for people of all ages, especially young people who see themselves on this stage. Those dreams are irreplaceable, ” Blumenthal said.

Debi Freund, artistic director of Little Theatre, said their story isn’t any different than so many other arts organization across the country; LTM lost $250,000 in revenue since the theater went dark in February 2020 because of the pandemic shutdown.

“Many people don’t understand, for an arts organization, in order for us to reopen, it’s not just literally opening the doors,” she said. “Arts organizations like ours are dependent upon ticket sales in order to make sure we are making enough money to produce shows coming up.”

With the grant Little Theatre was able to reopen in May with a Beach Boys concert; 37 performances are scheduled for 2021, which are expected to bring approximately 3,000 patrons to the theater.

Additional funding came from donations.

“All of your efforts have shown us that you also believe, as we do, that arts are important to the community and the people we serve,” she told Blumenthal and U.S. Rep. John B. Larson, D-1st District, who was also in attendance.

Manchester Mayor Jay Moran also expressed his gratitude.

“We are so grateful … in helping us with some of the struggles we’ve gone through.”

Larson called theater “the very soul and fiber of our communities and provides that venue where people are able to come together and elevate their spirit.

“You nourish everything we care about with regard to humanity,” he said. “That’s what the arts does. You will never hear the Connecticut delegation apologize for the funding that’s come in the American Rescue Plan or Shuttered Venues.

“Thank you for your continued efforts in nurturing in all of us, especially in difficult times, that we need more than anything the call and appeal to the better angels within us and the humanity that holds us together as a community comes from participation in the arts,” he said.

Catherine Marx of the Small Business Administration, said 141 organizations in Connecticut have received approximately $65 million in funding from the Shuttered Venue Operators Grant.

She said the grants were one of the first of their kind and were distributed in May.

“They are integral to our communities,” she said. “The SBA will continue to punch above our weight until we are through this crisis. We are here with you, to walk with you through this pandemic, through your recovery.”

Donna R. Mercier, executive director of CAST Children’s Theatre, said they used the grant money to reopen this summer, performing outdoors at MARC Inc., which serves intellectually disabled adults, while renovations are being made to the CAST space at 113 Summit St.

“It’s nice to be able to get back on the stage,” she said. “Our building is undergoing some changes. We’re upgrading our HVAC system and making whatever improvements we can to keep our children and our staff safe.”

Harry Evangeliou, treasurer of Opera House Players, said their $55,000 has been helpful in funding day-to-day operations while they renovate their new theater at 100 High St.