New Canaan Receives $100,000 Grant For Town Player Powerhouse Education Center

NEW CANAAN, CT — The town recently received $100,000 in bond funding to to support the New Canaan Town Player Powerhouse Theater and Educational Center, according to state officials.

In a news release Friday, State Rep. Lucy Dathan (D-New Canaan, Norwalk) and State Senator Ceci Maher (D-Wilton) welcomed the State Bond Commission's release of the funds to New Canaan.

Dathan led a request for these funds, the state officials noted.

"I am delighted to see the governor and the State Bond Commission prioritized our request for this needed funding to support The Town Players of New Canaan," Dathan said in a news release. "Their approach and commitment to bringing the arts to life in our community and offering hands-on experiences, effectively inspire creativity and provide opportunities for learning. This funding will support all their terrific educational programs and I am pleased to be able to help them."

According to Dathan and Maher, these funds will support the theater and educational center, supporting the Town Players, who have given community performances in town for more than 75 years with a mix of professional actors and dedicated amateurs in the local community.

In the 1980s, the abandoned Powerhouse became a full-time community theater hosting a number of stage performances per year, they noted.

The Town Players of New Canaan also offer lessons in acting, scene study, improv comedy and stagecraft in addition to these performances.

“The Town Players have been a community cornerstone for generations, and it's great to be able to support their valuable efforts to entertain and educate in New Canaan and beyond," Maher said in a news release. "I'm grateful to Governor Lamont and the State Bond Commission for their support of this important local organization."