Stratford Theatre

Stratford Theatre, commonly known as Square One Theatre Company, is a non-profit professional theatre located in Stratford, Connecticut, United States. It was founded in 1990 by Barbara Cairney and Tom Holehan, who had previously worked together at the American Shakespeare Theatre. The theatre was established after a former movie house in Stratford was purchased and renovated into a stage theatre by a private organization. Square One is the only full-time resident theatre producing in the Town of Stratford. Its first production, Lee Blessing's A Walk in the Woods, was honored on opening night by original producer Lucille Lortel and went on to win state, regional, and national honors at various theatre competitions. The company has received support from greater New Haven and Fairfield counties, local businesses, and corporations, allowing it to expand its community role with educational outreach programs for area schools. Collaborations with nearby libraries, including Stratford Library's Readers Theatre Showcase series, have further extended its reach. The theatre is led by Artistic Director Tom Holehan and General Manager Richard Pheneger. It operates as a non-profit organization with an advisory board of directors and a volunteer arm called The Friends of Square One.

The Square One Theatre Company, a non-profit theatre, was founded in 1990 by Barbara Cairney and Tom Holehan. The two had worked together at the American Shakespeare Theatre and saw an opportunity to create a professional theatre in Stratford when the town's former movie house was bought and renovated as a stage theatre by a private organization. After negotiations with the new owners, a staff was organized from former Shakespeare Theatre people, an advisory board of directors was created and funds were raised from area communities. An organization, The Friends of Square One, was also established and serves as the volunteer arm of the theatre directly assisting all behind-the-scenes activities of the company. Square One's first play, Lee Blessing's A Walk in the Woods, was honored on opening night by its original producer, Lucille Lortel, and went on to win state, regional and national honors at various theatre competitions. Square One is now in its seventeenth season. Along with critical and financial success has come support from greater New Haven and Fairfield counties as well as local businesses and corporations. This support has allowed the theatre to expand its role in the community with an educational outreach program offered to area schools. In conjunction with Square One, the nearby Stratford Library has expanded its Readers Theatre Showcase series with free readings of classic as well as new and non-commercial plays. The Milford and Orange Libraries, Atria Assisted Living and Oronoque Village have also become part of this program. The school program is made possible by a renewable grant from People's Bank. Free performances for Stratford students were inaugurated.

• 2007

  Theatre in its seventeenth season, with expanded educational outreach and library partnerships.

• 1990

  Square One Theatre Company founded by Barbara Cairney and Tom Holehan.

• 1990

  First production, A Walk in the Woods, opens and wins state, regional, and national honors.

Non-profit professional theatre and the only full-time resident theatre in Stratford, Connecticut.

• A Walk in the Woods

1. 1Square One Theatre Home Pagesquareonetheatre.com
2. 2Historysquareonetheatre.com
3. 3Stratford Theatrewikidata.org