In recognition of a $500,000 grant from The George F. and Sybil H. Fuller Foundation to renovate the theater in the Administration Building, the College will celebrate the gift at a dedication ceremony on the opening night of Bus Stop, Thursday, November 12.
“We are so grateful to the Fuller Foundation for its investment in performing arts education at Worcester State,” said President Janelle C. Ashley. “It has been transformed into a beautiful, educational theater. Our students can now hone their stagecraft and acting abilities in a state-of-the-art environment.”
Visible additions to the theater include catwalks, new sound equipment including assistive listening devices, winches above the stage, and box seating. The modernized back-stage amenities include a control booth, design studio, scene shop, costume shop, and a small green room.
“This was a timely and important gift to the College,” said Thomas M. McNamara, vice president of Institutional Advancement. “It coincided with the renovation of the entire Administration Building and with the Department of Higher Education’s approval of the new Interdisciplinary Visual and Performing Arts major.”
“We are delighted that members of the Fuller family, Joyce and her son Mark and his wife, Jan, as well as David Hallock, a trustee of the Fuller Foundation, will attend the dedication ceremony and the performance of Bus Stop and see their foundation’s investment at work at Worcester State,” he added.
The Alumni Tiffany Gates Society donor recognition event, which is held annually in November, will be a part of the night’s activities. Members will attend the dedication ceremony and the play. “We want to showcase our students to our donors whenever we can, and this is another wonderful opportunity to do that,” McNamara said.