A Historic Venue Revitalized Originally designed in 1938, the auditorium in “the old high school” was once the heart of Ridgefield's cultural life. During its prime, before being abandoned in 1972, the space hosted school performances, community events, and town meetings. Notably, during World War II, the legendary Arturo Toscanini conducted here twice, leaving an indelible mark on the community. In 1994, a dedicated group of Ridgefield residents came together to form Friends of RPAC (Ridgefield Performing Arts Center). After years of tireless efforts, the project was finally approved by the town in 1998 and a building committee was formed. These volunteers donated countless hours to bring the vision to life. Today, Ridgefield Playhouse embraces its historic role and offers even more to the community. The interior preserves the auditorium's renowned acoustics, making it an ideal venue for both musical performances and live theater. Additionally, retractable draperies enable the space to adapt for film screenings, providing the necessary sound “deadening” effect. Thanks to a generous legacy from Patricia Schuster, founder of the Ridgefield Studio of Classical Ballet, the stage was constructed with the resilience needed for dance performances. Parts of the original stage rigging have been preserved and enhanced, while modern stage lights and a state-of-the-art sound system have been installed. As a tribute to our founders, plaques honoring the volunteers from the Playhouse’s 10th anniversary still hang in the entryway today. The COVID-19 pandemic brought significant challenges, with temporary closures and restrictive reopening measures. However, with the support of government loans, grants, and the generosity of corporate and private donors, we persevered. We quickly adapted by showing movies, hosting outdoor performances in Ballard Park with artists like Grace Potter and Mike Birbiglia, and holding a hybrid Fall Gala featuring Bruce Hornsby, with a combination of in-person and live-streamed attendees. A key pillar of our mission is our Leir Foundation Arts in Education Program (AIE). This program provides curriculum-related theatrical programming to area schools, bringing subjects like science, literacy, cultural experiences, and history to life. To celebrate the 20th anniversary of AIE, the Playhouse launched its 20 for 20 Arts in Education Campaign on August 5, 2023. The campaign aimed to raise $200,000 to reach 20,000 students, both in-person and virtually, free of charge during the 2023-2024 school year. Thanks to the incredible generosity of our donors and the Playhouse community, we were able to not only meet our 20 for 20 goal but also transform our AIE program and offer it completely free of charge for the upcoming school years ahead. In 2022, the Playhouse underwent a $4 million upgrade, funded by private donors, to expand and enhance the theater experience. This project included tripling the size of the lobby and expanding the backstage area. We’ve improved the artist experience on stage and elevated the audio quality for audiences. Our lobby now features images captured by House Photographer Bing Liem, showcasing the incredible acts that have performed on our stage. Additionally, the lobby is adorned with hand-painted murals depicting historic scenes of Ridgefield, all generously donated by Playhouse supporters.
2034385795
80 East Ridge Rd, Ridgefield, CT 06877
Ridgefield
Connecticut
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