CHAUTAUQUA, N.Y. (June 20, 2024) — The Chautauqua Institution proudly announced a groundbreaking $4.5 million commitment from The Roe Green Foundation to advance the completion of the new Roe Green Theater Center, a state-of-the-art facility for the Chautauqua Theater Company (CTC). This generous gift, comprising a $3 million outright contribution and a $1.5 million matching challenge, underscores a longstanding tradition of supporting theater arts at Chautauqua, notably the New Play Workshop series.
The forthcoming Roe Green Theater Center is poised to enhance Chautauqua’s beloved Bratton Theater by adding a black box/flexible space, rehearsal studios, offices for CTC leadership, and additional support spaces. This new center will centralize CTC’s artistic activities, replacing the dispersed conditions currently faced by Chautauqua’s artists.
“Chautauqua Theater Company is extremely lucky to be among the many performing arts organizations Roe has supported,” stated Institution President Michael E. Hill, Ed.D. “Her commitment to supporting new work incubation is not only elevating the work we are doing here for Chautauqua’s audiences to enjoy, but it is also advancing the artform across the country and world. I am thankful for Roe’s friendship and know that our entire community is grateful for her astounding commitment and contributions to Chautauqua.”
Roe Green, the driving force behind the Foundation, established it after her mother’s passing in 2003. With her extensive background in theater and communications, Green has significantly influenced the cultural arts scenes in various regions including Cleveland, Kent, and Jupiter, and notably at Chautauqua.
“What an honor it will be to have CTC’s artistic and creative home housed in the Roe Green Theater Center,” said CTC Producing Artistic Director Jade King Carroll. “While CTC will continue to have our beautiful and large performance space in Bratton Theater, we have not had our own usable rehearsal spaces since 2019, and we have never had the flexibility of an intimate black box theater. This gift and the new theater center will allow us to create deeper roots and to be an even more integral part of the American Theater. This new center will offer an artistic home for our conservatory and young theater makers learning and working alongside professionals and create a hub for audiences to see plays at every stage of development. Roe Green’s philanthropy inspires us all, and her matching gift doubles the impact of future donations, encouraging community support. The Foundation’s visionary gift sets a strong foundation for building future growth and forging new memories. My colleagues and I are elated for how this gift will allow CTC to grow and cannot thank Roe and the directors of the Foundation enough for this transformative gift!”
Roe Green’s philanthropic endeavors are extensive. Her involvement ranges from supporting the Roe Green Visiting Director Series and the Roe Green Theater at the University of Colorado, to sponsoring Green House, a domestic violence shelter in Ohio. She is also behind the construction of the new Roe Green Medical Education and Research Building in Kampala, Uganda. Green’s passion for theater and her global travels have deeply enriched her philanthropic vision.
CTC encourages those interested in helping Chautauqua meet the $1.5 million matching challenge to contact Amy Gardner at agardner@chq.org or 716-357-6393.
About Chautauqua Theater Company (CTC)
Chautauqua Theater Company produces high-quality, live theater during a vibrant nine-week summer season. Committed to the development of new work and the next generation of theater artists, CTC produces world premieres, modern and contemporary plays, and fresh interpretations of classical works. The company is dedicated to commissioning, developing, and producing new and established American playwrights, creating a bridge for emerging artists between training and the professional world.
About Chautauqua Institution
Chautauqua Institution is a not-for-profit community located on Chautauqua Lake in southwestern New York State. During its nine-week season, the institution hosts over 100,000 visitors and provides a program exploring religious, social, and political issues. Celebrating its 150th Summer Assembly in 2023, Chautauqua is dedicated to the enrichment of life through the arts and the exploration of the best in human values.
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