Susan Crocker, Co-Chair Board of Directors for Chester Playhouse Theatre, said plans for a $1 million restoration and upgrading project at the Chester Playhouse Theatre are in a state of uncertainty due to the effects of the pandemic, but they are continuing to plan.
The Board of Directors (BOD) began planning early last fall and are going through the process of engaging all levels of government in supporting the vision for the playhouse with these improvements. The building is maintained on a continual basis however some things require a higher level of investment and begin to accumulate to a point where a large project seems the best way to tackle it.
The Municipality of Chester has already promised $100,000 to the project and the BOD is looking to secure the remaining estimated $973,000 through additional funding.
“We are down that path and we remain hopeful but we know that the environment is quite uncertain right now. We are looking forward to hearing more from our potential government partners over the next 8 weeks and when we have more certainty we will move on to the next phase of the project,” said Crocker.
The building is over 80 years old and has a rich history in the town-originally it was a film house but has also been a puppet theatre and a summer festival building. It now functions as a year-round facility offering professional theatre, film,music and a good deal of community programming.
“It is a very vital part of the economy of Chester,” said Susan Crocker, Co-Chair Board of Directors for Chester Playhouse.
Parts of the structure are original while others have been restored over the years, and Crocker says it has come to the point where there needs to be some basic improvements to the infrastructure. Both exterior and interior work is planned as well as improvements to the performance environment. These upgrades are needed to make sure the facility is serving artists and patrons well, and part of that is making it easily accessible for all.
“We aren’t where we need to be yet for this era,” said Crocker.
Crocker said that arts and culture are fundamental and it is their job to make sure the building is protected and competitive to serve the audience and artists well.
“We need to ensure we are here for the long run and we perform well.”
