Enfield-based Opera House Players Inc. has been approved for a $1.5 million state grant via the state Department of Economic and Community Development that will allow the organization to renovate its 100 High St. property into a performing arts venue.
The Opera House Players, which was founded in 1968, is a nonprofit volunteer-based community theater group performing exclusively musical theater. The group does four shows a year ranging from comedy and drama to contemporary and classic.
The group has called a former historic church at 100 High St. home since 2018. Opera House Players had been leasing the building from the city and will purchase it soon for $1.
The renovations will include knocking down some walls to create a lobby and green room for performers, an expanded stage, and increased handicap access.
Opera House Players President Erin Dugan said renovations should begin in the fall, with the hopes of moving into the new state-of-the-art facility by August 2023.
Dugan said the new building is needed to showcase more of the Opera House Players’ talent.
“We are so excited as this has been a dream that we’ve been working towards for years,” Dugan said. “It’s just amazing that we will have this renovated theater to call home.”
In addition, $31 million in grants have been allocated by the legislature and approved by Gov. Ned Lamont to go to state-based humanities over the next two years.
The state said that Connecticut’s arts and culture sector generates $9 billion annually and supports 57,000 jobs.
