About the Community

Located in the heart of downtown Fairfield, SHU Community Theatre pairs entertainment and education in a fully reimagined historic 400-seat venue. From live concerts and theatrical performances to film screenings, author talks and hands-on learning activities, SHU Community Theatre is a cornerstone of cultural enrichment for audiences of all ages and backgrounds.

The SHU Community Theatre’s programming includes diverse series:

Jazz Series – Inventive…spontaneous…improvisational -- Jazz is a distinctly American art form that transcends musical boundaries and thrives on live expression. SHUCT is dedicated to showcasing contemporary artists keeping the tradition alive – and moving it forward. 2023 Season Artists include Marc Ribot, Al Dimeola, Geoff Keezer, and more.

Broadway on Post Series – A-list Broadway stars as you’ve never seen them before – in the intimacy of a small stage right here in Fairfield. 2023 Season Artists include The Doo Wop Project, Linda Eder, Melissa Errico, and more.

Singer/Songwriter Series - 2023 Season Artists include Edwin McCain, Beth Orton, Stephen Kellogg, Richard Shindell & Lucy Kaplansky and more.

Rock Series - 2023 Season Artists include Willie Nile, Average White Band, Walter Trout, Tusk, Darlene Love, Tab Benoit & The Rebirth Brass Band, and more.

Comedy Series - 2023 Season Artists include Pinky Patel, Drew Lynch, Gary Gulman, Alonzo Bodden, Manhattan Comedy Night, and more.

World Music Series - 2023 Season Artists include Red Baraat, Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Cherish the Ladies, Dervish and more.

Connecticut Coffee House – An hour from New York City, Fairfield is home to a host of talented songwriters and performers who love sharing their artistry with an appreciative local audience.

Classical Series - A chamber series featuring the best of our local orchestra partners.

Local Legends – The best of talented musicians with ties to the area perform live on a local stage.

Century of Cinema -- From Alfred Hitchcock to Steven Spielberg to Spike Lee, we celebrate movie masterpieces the way they were meant to be enjoyed – on the big screen.

Big Screen Blockbusters – Hollywood’s hottest hits – from yesterday and yesteryear – come to your home screen. 2023 season includes Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny, Barbie, and Oppenheimer!

Film Events with Q&A – The latest independent and foreign films, as well as thought-provoking documentaries with commentary and reflection from the SHU Community Theatre’s resident movie guru Susan Granger and expert guests. 2023 Season includes Joanna Gleasons' The Grotto, Shared legacies, In the Name of the Son, and more.

Family Film Series – Parents and kids know Sunday is the day to head for SHU Community Theatre for an afternoon of family-friendly entertainment everyone will enjoy.

Thought Leader Series – Being associated with a national university, SHU Community Theatre offers one-of-a-kind engaging experiences for lifelong learners, prospective college students and our own student body. Our non-partisan, respectful format brings you faculty experts and others with an array of fresh perspectives on today’s issues, health and wellness and ways we can transform ourselves and our world. 2023 Season Artists include Jamelle Bouie, Fran Lebowitz, Billy Collins, and more.

Educational Programming – SHU offers a host of entertaining and enriching hands-on learning programs for children, teens and lifelong learners – from summer camps and workshops to internships, theatre arts mentor and live performance opportunities.

Accessibility – SHU Community Theatre is a 100-year old building and as such, we recommend all attendees use extra caution upon entrance. We highly recommend that patrons with accessibility needs select orchestra seats at checkout. Any patron attending an event in the balcony is invited to ask a theatre staff member for extra assistance if desired. For any further inquiries about accessibility, call 203-371-7817 or email us at communitytheatre@sacredheart.edu. 

The Vestibule/Lobby

The classic retro combination of dark hues, rich woods and chrome trim highlight the look and feel of the new SHU Community Theatre from the moment you pass under the marquee into the vestibule with renovated ticket booth. Interior doors lead to the stylish lobby with coffered tray ceiling, digital displays, vintage movie posters and theatre artifacts, as well as the restrooms and stairs to the balcony level.

A welcoming gathering spot, the lobby is also the place to grab drinks, snacks and fresh, hot popcorn from the concession counter.

The Auditorium

Our 400+-seat venue includes main floor, balcony and orchestra seating areas covering 3,000 square feet of comfortable, unobstructed views of the new stage and screen. With side aisles and a mid-auditorium bridge, the theatre, stage and Post Road front office are readily accessible with multiple wheelchair spaces and a new elevator to the second level.

The new design is an homage to the original, with well-considered touches that highlight the space’s historic ‘bones’ and the soaring bowed ceiling, as well as state-of-the-art technology – from the digital projection and Dolby Surround Sound system to the lighting grid and studio-quality video cameras to record and stream events.

View Ground Plan
View Seating Chart

The Stage

What was formerly a narrow catwalk for modest vaudeville acts with a movie screen framed by a sweeping, century-old proscenium has been transformed to an expansive 46’X36’ stage for small and large-scale dance and music performances, including ballet and orchestras. The innovative lighting grid and audio technology makes the most of the auditorium’s natural acoustic properties and sightlines and the added floor space provides plenty of options for use, from dinner parties to school plays. The front rows are wisely positioned to be perfect for viewing live events but set back enough for comfortable movie enjoyment.

View Specs

The Balcony & Skybox

The re-imagined balcony offers rows of traditional seats overlooking the auditorium and a private VIP Director’s Box perch with glass partitions and a huge 20’X40’ skybox event space, also with a glassed, unobstructed view of the stage. This inventive space is available for pre- and post-performance receptions, private parties, meetings and classroom space.

Backstage / VIP Green Room / Front Office

The new SHU footprint wraps all the way around the corner and down the bustling Post Road, where we have four storefront windows and the main entrance to our front offices, which also offer VIP reception and green room space with performer dressing rooms and administrative offices. Stage door entrances also flank each side.

RENTING THE COMMUNITY THEATRE

Theatre Rental
Full Day (8 hrs)

For Profit

$5,500 Sunday – Thursday
$8,000 Friday & Saturday

Non-Profit

$2,500 Sunday – Thursday
$4,000 Friday & Saturday

Private Movie Screening

$1,500 plus film licensing fee

Movie Buyout based on availability Monday-Thursday only

Sponsorships & Fundraising

Please send an email to:
communitytheatre@sacredheart.edu

Private Events & Theatre Rentals:

Please call 203.371.7956 or send an email to communitytheatre@sacredheart.edu for pricing and availability

Includes basic utilities, basic stage lighting, basic in-house sound, front of house space usage, stage usage, access to two dressing rooms, and an on-site event manager. All space use requires a minimum x-hour rental. If you are interested in renting the theater for your event, please complete our Rental Application and Technical Rider and email to communitytheatre@sacredheart.edu or mail to SHU Community Theatre, 1420 Post Road Fairfield, CT 06825 or fill out the form.

For more information on renting our space or planning a performance, contact (203) 371-7956

Rental Questionnaire

SHU Community Theatre
1420 Post Road
Fairfield, CT 06825

communitytheatre@sacredheart.edu
203.371.7956

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