Westport Country Playhouse Receives Gift From Bigelow Foundation

Westport Country Playhouse has received a $150,000 gift from the Eunice and David Bigelow Foundation for a new lighting communication system. Due to the speed of advancements in computer technology, the lighting system installed during the Playhouse's 2005 renovation is now almost obsolete.

"Eunice and David Bigelow's extraordinarily generous gift is a direct expression of their love for and understanding of our Playhouse, its needs, and its artistry," said Mark Lamos, Playhouse artistic director. "They have consistently demonstrated joyous interest in how our staff and the artists who work here make Theater. This much-needed gift will make possible the installation of state-of-the-art lighting equipment and will give lighting designers and electricians the ability to expand their horizons. The Bigelows understood that. And I thank them from the bottom of my heart."

In addition to funding this transformative project, the Bigelows have been committed to the Playhouse for many years, supporting some of the theater's most complex productions, including Ayad Akhtar's "The Invisible Hand," winner of the 2017 Connecticut Critics Circle Award for Outstanding Play. In August, the Eunice and David Bigelow Foundation will sponsor Theresa Rebeck's comedy "The Understudy."

"We love giving support to the Playhouse because the work is so good," said Eunice Bigelow.

Added David Bigelow, "One of our greatest enjoyments is attending the Playhouse 'Tech Talks,' where we learn how productions get technically on their feet. We feel close to the process and the work thanks to [associate producer] David Dreyfoos and [associate artistic director] David Kennedy, who so generously often allow us a peek into this magnificent world."

"Yes, we turned to the Bigelows for their philanthropic support, but it is important to also emphasize that we view them as genuine partners because of their technical understanding and appreciation for how art gets made. They are unique because they make us feel that their giving is a reciprocal experience," said Carole Southall, director of development.

Lamos added, "I told them that the gift was so special to me personally because lighting literally illuminates the work of the artists. They said that's part of why they loved giving it."

For Westport Country Playhouse information, call the box office at (203) 227-4177, or toll-free at 1-888-927-7529, or visit Westport Country Playhouse, 25 Powers Court, off Route 1, Westport. Stay connected to the Playhouse on Facebook (Westport Country Playhouse), follow on Twitter (@WCPlayhouse), or view Playhouse videos on YouTube (WestportPlayhouse).

The mission of Westport Country Playhouse is to enrich, enlighten, and engage the community through the power of professionally produced theater worth talking about and the welcoming experience of the Playhouse campus. The not-for-profit Playhouse provides this experience in multiple ways by offering: Live theater experiences of the highest quality, under the artistic direction of Mark Lamos; educational and community engagement events to further explore the work on stage; programs for students and teachers with extensive curriculum support material; Script in Hand play readings to deepen relationships with audiences and artists; the renowned Woodward Internship Program during the summer months for aspiring theater professionals; Family Festivities presentations to delight young and old alike and to promote reading through live theater; youth performance training and performance opportunities through Broadway Method Academy, WCP's resident conservatory; and the beautiful and historic Playhouse campus open for enjoyment and community events year-round.

Photo: David and Eunice Bigelow

Photo by Steve Walter

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