January 29, 2016

Piscopo Applauds State Funding to Enhance Cultural & Historic Opera House

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Thomaston– State Rep. John Piscopo (R-76) today applauded the announcement by the legislature’s Bond Commission to award funds through the Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development (DECD) to provide grants to nonprofit organizations that sponsor cultural and historic sites in the state, including one for the Landmark Community Theater, manager of the historic Thomaston Opera House, which will receive a $100,000 state grant.

“For more than 130 years, the Thomaston Opera House has been at the heart of our community’s culture and history and I am thrilled that this funding has been awarded to support the Landmark Community Theater,” said Piscopo. “This funding will go a long way in improving the infrastructure of the Opera House, and ensure quality entertainment and educational programming for years to come.”

The funds will be utilized to finance renovations to the Opera House’s lobby and dressing rooms, upgrades to lighting and sound equipment, and installation of motorized hoists for the stage area.

Piscopo added, “Many worthy projects are in need of state funding assistance and that is why I would like to extend my sincerest thanks to all of those involved in the process to secure the grant. I would like to thank the state DECD for awarding this important grant to the Landmark Community Theater. I would especially like to thank Gary Kingsbury, Chairman of the Board of The Landmark Community Theater, along with members of the Opera House Commission for their assistance with grant writing and supporting efforts.”

The grant-in-aid will fund improvements that will significantly enhance cultural and historic sites and the way people enjoy them. Specifically, it will target smaller and mid-sized cultural organizations that have received limited state funding in the past. The program has a 25% cash match requirement.

The Thomaston Opera house was built in 1884 and serves as a cultural and recreational center for the town and surrounding communities. The Landmark Community Theater operates the performing arts organization in the Thomaston Opera House and provides high quality entertainment and educational programming.

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