Montville Theater Group Pleads For Space Norwich Bulletin - December 13, 2005 By Amy Beth Priess
Michael D. Kurec/For the Norwich Bulletin Carol Russell of East Lyme relates a story of how theater affected her in hopes of swaying the Montville Town Council's opinion the permanent relocation of The Brenda Kerr Theater to the old Town Hall on Route 32.
MONTVILLE-- Leland Rummel said he was hoping to play to the Montville Town Council's "heart strings" Monday when he spoke of his regional youth theater group's request to permanently relocate to the old Town Hall.
Rummel, president and executive director of The Brenda Kerr Theater, said he was aware of Mayor Joseph Jaskiewicz's plans to relocate the Montville Police Department to the old Route 32 building, but hoped the council would at least consider the group's message.
"A burst of laughter, a round of applause or a resounding standing ovation from an audience evoked by a theatrical performance of a child or a group of children means as much to those youthful actors as a touchdown, home run or soccer goal means to student athletes," he said.
Rummel said the old Town Hall is attractive for its easy access to highways and because it can be easily renovated.
Rummel and his wife, Elizabeth, have been running the East Lyme Children's Theater for nearly 10 years and founded The Brenda Kerr Theater group in 2002.
By relocating to Montville, the group may attract families from as far east as southwestern Rhode Island, as far west as Old Saybrook, and as far north as Canterbury, Rummel said.
Carol Russell of East Lyme spoke of her daughter's time with the East Lyme Children's Theater.
"She learned the seriousness of auditioning," Russell said. "It was wonderful to see her whole experience unfold. You can't put a value on this in terms of dollars and cents. It's a quality-of-life event. You have a chance to bring this building back as a theater."
In February, Jaskiewicz recommended the town's 21-member police force move its cramped and leaking Route 2A headquarters into the old Town Hall. Lt. Leonard Bunnell supported the move.
The town pays to house its police force in a state-owned building on Route 2A, which was once the Mohegan Pequot bridge toll station. It also pays to maintain the old Town Hall.
Jaskiewicz and Bunnell have said development of the Norwich Hospital site across the river in Preston will mean Route 2A and the bridge will have to be widened, forcing the department to move.
Jaskiewicz said he still supports moving the police department to the building. The council took no action on the matter.
The youth theater group has been leasing space in the Spirit of Broadway Theater in Norwich, but recently left, Rummel said. The group will start classes at the Donald Oat Theater in January.
The group has been pursuing the old Town Hall since December 2003, Rummel said. Rummel said he hopes the group can lease the building for a minimal fee and assume liability for the property. If an agreement is reached with the town, Rummel said the group wants to negotiate a time frame to purchase the property.
Reach Amy Preiss at 425-4221 or apreiss@norwichbulletin.com
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