A Brief History: 1990-2010

The Square One Theatre Company, a nonprofit theatre, was founded in 1990 by Executive Producer Barbara Cairney and Artistic Director Tom Holehan.  Employed by the Stratford Library, Holehan had begun a theatre program of staged readings there in 1985.  With Mrs. Cairney, they recognized an opportunity to create a new professional theatre in Stratford when the town’s old movie house was bought and renovated as a legitimate theatre by the Scottish Rite Building Corporation. Following negotiations with the new owners, a Square One Theatre staff was assembled. Money to begin production was raised through a one-night event of theatre scenes along with donations from individuals, companies and corporations. A volunteer organization, The Friends of Square One Theatre, was also established. Square One’s first production, A Walk In The Woods, was praised and supported by the original Broadway producer, Lucille Lortel, in addition to receiving numerous honors in regional and national theatre competitions.

Square One Theatre is now in its 21st anniversary season. Each season has seen success, critically and financially. Many performances have been sold out and the subscriber base is now over 1,000.  With the help of articles in The New York Times, Connecticut Post, Stratford Star and New Haven Register plus positive reviews in Fairfield County papers and on local radio stations, the audience has expanded to the lower Fairfield County area and New York.  The Readers Theatre Showcase, Square One‘s second venue located at the Stratford Library, offers free readings of new, experimental and non-commercial plays, during the summer. The theatre also presents these staged readings in many area libraries and other venues. In addition, Square One supports SquareWrights, a local group of area playwrights, helping them showcase their work at the Stratford Library

With the availability of funding an educational program, to develop audiences for the future, has evolved as the theatre grows. For over ten seasons, the theatre presented special morning performances of one of each season’s regular productions to Stratford and Bunnell High School students, offering teachers’ guides and post-performance discussions with the students. In the 2004–2005 season, Square One began performing plays in the libraries of each school. This has allowed for a more intimate experience while at the same time enriching each school’s curriculum. These educational programs have been subsidized over the years originally by United Technologies and, currently, by People’s United Bank. In 2005, Square One Theatre received “The Friend of Education” Award from the Stratford Board of Education for its work with the schools.  In 2007, the theatre gave birth to the Square One Teen Theatre, a summer company of area teenagers who produce, direct and perform their own productions.  Neil Simon’s Plaza Suite (2008), a pair of one-act comedies, The Actor’s Nightmare and Black Comedy (2009) and a Readers Theatre Festival (2010).

In 2008, Barbara Cairney resigned as Executive Producer and Richard P. Pheneger became the theatre’s General Manager.  All of the actors and selected staff at Square One Theatre receive stipends for their work. Individual ticket prices and season subscriptions do not cover all of the theatre’s expenses. The theatre is conservatively managed and is fiscally sound with a small endowment. However, to fully survive, it still relies on contributions from corporations, area businesses, single ticket buyers and subscribers. The Square One Theatre Company takes pride in keeping ticket prices affordable and offering live theatre that is intellectually stimulating as well as entertaining to our expanding audiences.