Nestled in the charming town of Chester, Connecticut, The Terris Theatre serves as the second stage for Goodspeed Musicals, one of America’s most celebrated musical theater organizations. This intimate venue opened in 1984 and was named after Norma Terris, the talented actress who starred in Jerome Kern’s Show Boat and later became a dedicated patron of Goodspeed. The Terris Theatre has launched over 50 musicals into the theatrical world, making it a vital incubator for new works and emerging talent in the American musical landscape.
When you visit The Terris Theatre, you’ll experience the excitement of seeing fresh musicals taking their first steps toward potential Broadway success. Located at 33 North Main Street in Chester, the theater offers free parking in lots both in front and behind the building, making your visit convenient and stress-free. The Terris complements Goodspeed’s main stage by focusing specifically on developing new musicals and nurturing emerging artists, giving you a unique opportunity to see tomorrow’s hits today.
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The Terris Theatre
The Terris Theatre is a charming 200-seat performance venue housed in a former factory in Chester, Connecticut. As part of Goodspeed Musicals, this intimate space serves as a creative hub where new musical productions are born and tested.
When you visit The Terris Theatre, you’ll be part of a special tradition spanning over 60 years. This smaller venue complements Goodspeed’s main stage, offering you a more intimate setting to experience musical theatre up close. You’ll love being so close to the performers that you can see every emotion on their faces.
The Terris plays a vital role in the development of new American musicals. Here, you can witness shows in their formative stages before they potentially move to larger venues. It’s like getting a sneak peek behind the theatrical curtain and becoming part of the creative process.
The theatre contributes to Goodspeed’s impressive season that runs from April to December, helping to attract over 130,000 patrons annually to the Connecticut River Valley. Your visit supports their mission of both preserving classic American musicals and creating new ones for future generations.
Rating: 4.7 (203 reviews)
Location: 33 N Main St, Chester, CT 06412
Contact: (860) 873-8668
Website: Visit Website
History of The Terris Theatre
The Terris Theatre has a rich backstory that begins with an old factory building and grows into one of America’s most important places for developing new musicals. This special venue brings musical theater magic to the charming town of Chester.
Origins and Founding
The Terris Theatre started its life as something completely different – a factory building constructed in the early 1900s for Susan Bates, Inc. This company became one of the largest manufacturers of knitting needles and needlework accessories in America.
In 1984, Goodspeed Musicals transformed this industrial space into their second stage, creating a dedicated venue for developing new works. The theater was named in honor of Norma Terris, a beloved actress famous for starring in Jerome Kern’s original production of “Show Boat.”
Terris wasn’t just a famous name to put on the building. She was a passionate supporter of Goodspeed Musicals, serving as both a patron and trustee of the Goodspeed Opera House during her later years.
Significant Renovations
While specific renovation details aren’t outlined in the search results, the transformation from factory to theater required significant modifications to create a performance space with proper seating, lighting, and acoustics.
The building maintains some of its industrial charm while functioning as a professional theater venue. Unlike many theaters, The Terris Theatre was specifically designed with the development process in mind.
The space allows for flexibility needed when staging new works that might require adjustments during the rehearsal and performance process. This creates an ideal environment for writers, directors and performers to experiment and refine their material.
Key Milestones
The Terris Theatre recently celebrated its 40th anniversary, marking four decades of nurturing new musical theater works. During this time, it has become an essential incubator for Broadway-bound productions.
Nearly 300 revivals and new works have been produced between The Terris Theatre and The Goodspeed Opera House. Many shows developed at The Terris have moved on to successful runs on Broadway, Off-Broadway, National Tours, and at regional theaters across the country.
The theater also hosts the Festival of New Musicals, featuring staged readings of works in development. This festival has become an important annual event for showcasing emerging talent and fresh theatrical voices.
Productions at Goodspeed Musicals
Goodspeed Musicals has created an impressive legacy of high-quality productions that blend classic revivals with innovative new works. Their shows feature talented performers and creative teams that bring musical theater to life in intimate venues.
Notable Past Productions
Over the years, Goodspeed has produced nearly 300 revivals and new works at The Goodspeed and The Terris Theatre. Many productions that started here have moved on to Broadway, Off-Broadway, National Tours, and other regional theaters.
The Terris Theatre, celebrating its 40th anniversary in 2024, has been the birthplace of over 50 musicals. This development space allows creative teams to refine their work with audience feedback.
Goodspeed has earned two special Tony Awards for outstanding achievements in musical theater. Their commitment to excellence shows in each production’s attention to detail, from costumes to choreography.
When you visit, you might see a reimagined classic or a world premiere that could become tomorrow’s Broadway hit.
Partnerships and Collaborations
Goodspeed Musicals actively nurtures emerging artists and collaborates with established theater professionals. Their development process involves partnerships with playwrights, composers, directors, and performers who bring fresh perspectives to musical theater.
The Festival of New Musicals showcases readings of works in progress, giving you a glimpse into the creative process behind new shows. These staged readings often feature talented performers bringing characters to life for the first time.
For their 2024 season at The Terris Theatre, Goodspeed has assembled diverse creative teams. This season includes a musical with a golden age score, a comedic production, and a third exciting show.
These collaborations ensure that Goodspeed remains at the forefront of shaping the future of American musical theater.
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