The Kate receives financial support from News 8 to continue serving community

NEW HAVEN, Conn. (WTNH) — Tuesday was a big day for the Katharine Hepburn Cultural Arts Center. The Kate in Old Saybrook received financial support from News 8 to help serve the community.

The Kate hosts about 350 performances annually, including live simulcast shows from the Metropolitan Opera in New York, live bands, dances, plays and movies.

The Katharine Hepburn Cultural Arts Center, a non-profit theater, is celebrating its 15th year on Sept. 11.

As a lover of the arts, Ann Nyberg has been along for the whole ride as vice president, helping out the only theater in the world named after the four-time legendary Oscar-winning actress from Connecticut.

Nyberg: Directors of the Katharine Hepburn museum in Old Saybrook help carry on her legacy

News 8 Vice President and General Manager Rich Graziano said it’s the station’s pleasure to back Connecticut communities in many ways.

“One of the reasons we feel so strong about serving the community, in this case, is your leadership because you’re a leader and your involvement here at the theater for so many years, I believe it’s 15 years, in this case, these funds will go toward education, in fact, this summer these guys had 350 kids taking classes on how to be better actors and actresses and developing their skills.”

“A check is always great for us to plan for the future and do new and bigger things to keep this place growing and vibrant and lots of patrons coming through our doors,” said Brett Elliott, The Kate’s executive director.

The Kate is home to a Hepburn museum. What’s curated there, you’ll see nowhere else.

“This room is so special,” Elliott said. “It is Kate’s life story, from her family and very early days to her time in Hollywood. We have a special exhibit on Coco right now. We talk about all her Oscar wins, her Oscar nominations, and her costumes. It’s such a special place.”

“One of my favorite things is the note to Santa Claus,” said Robin Andreoli, The Kate’s development director. “We believe Kate probably wrote this at age 5 or 6, and we know that because the Christmas seal on the envelope was marked 1912.”

On behalf of The Kate, we hope you all take a trip to the venue in the middle of Downtown Old Saybrook — the place Hepburn called home.

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