The Sacred Heart University (SHU) Community Theatre welcomes SHU students and other public audiences to visit their unique venue located in the heart of downtown Fairfield.
Source: Tracy Deer-Mirek, Sacred Heart University
According to the Community Theatre website, the venue provides diverse programming such as live concerts, theatrical performances and film screenings.
Gary Lindemann, the front of the house manager, said that the theatre’s appeal stretches far beyond Fairfield. People throughout the southern Connecticut area and even western New York frequently attend shows.
“It is such a unique historic space, and it has been a beloved theatre to
the community of Fairfield and its surroundings for 100 years,” said Lindemann. “It remained empty for 12 years until Sacred Heart took it over and renovated it and now it’s this beautiful space.”
“Over my four years at SHU, I have visited the SHU Community Theatre a few times, and each time was very memorable,” said senior Lauren Iacoviello. “My favorite movie I saw at the theatre was probably ‘Barbie’, because it was such a fun and uniquething to experience with my friends.”
According to Lindemann, “Barbie” was the biggest event the theatre has held so far, having around 10,000 people come to see it over the course of three weeks.
“We took ‘Barbie’ to all different levels,” said Maureen Lucier, the director of theatre services. “Just to see the community come together where every man, child, woman, older woman, younger woman was in pink, was an experience. We really let the town know we’re there now.”
That same week, the theatre announced their events for the 2023-2024 season and, according to Lucier, sold hundreds of tickets a day since people found out they offer various performances and viewings, such as comedy, Broadway, jazz, and more.
Some highlights of the upcoming season include: a discussion with New York Times Columnist and Chief Political Correspondent for Slate Magazine, Jamelle Bouie; an evening with Two-Time United States Poet Laureate, Billy Collins; a performance by “America’s Got Talent” finalist, Drew Lynch; and a performance by Rock and Roll Hall of Famer, Darlene Love. Details on all of these performances can be found at SHUcommunitytheatre.org.
Despite the popularity of certain showings like “Barbie,” the theatre still faces challenges regarding student attendance on a regular basis.
Lindemann said, “We’ve not had, to be honest, a great deal of success in getting students to come over and watch our shows or our movies.”
In the future, he said they want to improve the shuttle transportation from campus to the theatre because it has been limiting students’ ability to attend showings. They also have had trouble getting students to work at the theatre for the same reason.
“We are willing to give them work study hours for basically ushering the show, watching a free concert after that and pay them to do it,” said Lindemann. “But it’s difficult.”
“It may be a hassle to get there at times for some students, especially freshmen and sophomores who don’t have cars,” said Iacoviello. “But the fun that people will have when they go, makes it worth it.”
At the theatre, being a SHU student has its perks. All SHU students can
see movies at the theatre for free. Also, according to Lucier, students have the opportunity to reach out to the theatre to suggest ideas on what to bring to it.
“We want the students to join us and be a part of it,” said Lindemann. “When they come, they’ll want to come again.”
For more information on scheduled shows and tickets available for purchase, visit SHUcommunitytheatre.org.
