Stonington's Frances Ashley Named to United Theatre Board

The United Theatre, Westerly’s forthcoming center for the arts is pleased to announce the appointment of its Board of Directors inlcuding Frances Ashley of Stonington. Ashley also sits on the Board of Directors for both the Outward Bound Center for Peacebuilding and the Stonington Historical Society. She also serves on the Boards of Literacy Inc. and Big Brothers and Big Sisters of America.

The other board members are Chuck Royce of Westerly and Greenwich, CT, Deborah Lamm of Westerly and Texas, and Maureen Fitzgerald, Dan King, Bill McKendree and Donna Simmons, each of Westerly.

The first meeting of The Ocean Community United Theatre Board of Directors was held on November 16th. The Board is beginning work alongside United Theatre staff to create a number of events to be held in the theatre throughout 2014. The events will serve as a way to re-introduce area residents to the theatre. In parallel, the Board will focus their efforts on finalizing the design plans for the theatre while implementing fundraising efforts ahead of the theatre's imminent renovation. The Board will meet quarterly. 

“We are thrilled to have such a local-minded group overseeing the development of the theatre,” said Simon Holt, Executive Director of The United Theatre. “Everyone on the Board has a background rooted in Westerly’s best interests, collectively representing the communities most cherished and beneficial organizations.”

Plans for the theatre’s renovation will include a main theatre that will house live entertainment including opera, plays, live music, lectures and more. A second floor cinema will showcase new releases and revival cinema with programming tailor made for a unique film-going experience. Studio and rehearsal space throughout the theatre will add diversity to the United Theatre’s programming, allowing for the inclusion of classes, workshops and seminars in all facets of the arts. A number of local arts organizations have expressed interest in utilizing the theatre and their wishes have been incorporated into the theater’s design.

ABOUT THE UNITED THEATRE

From 1926 through 1986 the United Theatre was downtown Westerly’s go to destination for area film lovers. The Westerly Land Trust purchased the theatre on February 3, 2006. Today, the building and adjoining space are about to undergo extensive renovations designed to transform the property into a multi-use arts complex. As currently envisioned, the restored United Theatre will include a 336-seat main theatre with a fully rigged proscenium stage; a 50-seat, “storefront” theatre; and a separate cinema on the second floor. Offices, rehearsal space, studios, dressing rooms, and a ground floor café will also be included. The United Theatre is a 501(c)(3) organization.

Affiliations of the United Theatre Board members are as follows:

Maureen Fitzgerald is the President and CEO of the Ocean Community YMCA. Fitzgerald also previously sat on the Boards for The Westerly Hospital and Westerly Land Trust.

Dan King is the Managing Partner of DAK Properties in Westerly and Account Director of Car of Tomorrow in Brooklyn, NY.

Deborah Lamm is an Urban Planner who sits on the Board’s for The Westerly Hospital, Westerly Hospital Foundation, Watch Hill Conservancy, and Citizens Housing and Planning Council in New York City.

Bill McKendree is the Founding Partner of the Clarion Group and the Vice President of the Westerly Land Trust. McKendree was also prior Vice Chair of Outward Bound USA and prior Chair of The Westerly Hospital.

Chuck Royce is the President, Co-Chief Investment Officer and Portfolio Manager for Royce & Associates, LLC. Royce also sits on the Brown University Board of Fellows as well as on the Board of Director’s for the Bruce Museum, New York Historical Society and Avon Theatre Film Center in Providence.

Donna Simmons of Westerly sits on the Board of Directors for the United Way of Rhode Island. She is the former President of the Watch Hill Memorial Library and Improvement Society and co-founder of the Opening Doors to Westerly Children Initiative.

 Also in attendance during the November 16th meeting were Executive Director Simon Holt, United Theatre volunteer Alison Holt and Nicholas Moore, President and General Counsel of Bluff Avenue, LLC.