SFT’s Co-Founder Joins ACES WIMS Executive Leadership Team

Wallingford, CT, January 17, 2023 - Square Foot Theatre’s Executive Director and Co-Founder, Jared Andrew Brown has joined ACES Wintergreen Interdistrict Magnet School as the new Arts Integration Specialist, primarily responsible for coordinating the implementation of their arts magnet theme.  ACES WIMS was recently awarded a five-year 4.4 million dollar grant from the U.S. Department of Education Magnet Schools Assistance Program. Jared will provide intensive professional learning on arts integration practices for teachers that propel student achievement

Wintergreen Interdistrict Magnet School (WIMS) is rich in innovation, inquiry and the arts, serving approximately 630 students from Hamden, New Haven, Wallingford, Meriden and Waterbury.

With over 35 years of experience in the arts, including 20 years in educational theatre and dance, Brown states, “I am extremely grateful for the opportunity to continue my tenure with ACES WIMS in this newly created role. I am ecstatic to begin to dive in and take arts integration to the next level with such an amazingly talented group of teachers and students.”

Jared will continue to serve in his role at Square Foot Theatre Company, currently one of ACES WIMS educational partners, in addition to his new appointment.

Square Foot Theatre Partners with Hamden Public Schools

hosting new Town-wide virtual theatre program

Square Foot Theatre Company is excited to be selected as Hamden Public Schools Elementary School PTA’s exclusive partner for a town-wide theatre program. This new program, funded through a combination of a grant and PTAs across the district, is free for participants. Children in grades K-6 will be given an opportunity to participate in an 8-10 week theater program, where the culmination will include a town-wide video of snippets of all the children performing their skills.

“It is with great pride that in these uncertain times, we are able to bring the arts to an entire town that is completely inline with our mission of fostering an inclusive, nurturing environment for children to explore their creativity”, said Jared Andrew Brown, Square Foot Theatre’s Executive Director & Co-Founder

Square Foot Theatre is no stranger to Hamden Public Schools. Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, SFT hosted after school theatre programs at Bear Path, West Woods, and Ridge Hill Schools. They also previously held an in-school program at Church Street School.

“We are thrilled to continue to nurture the arts in the same community that sparked our love of theatrical arts.”, says Patrick Laffin, Creative Director and Co-Founder. He and Brown both grew up in Hamden, and are products of the school system, making this partnership even more special.

The virtual program will kick off in February and run through May. All children, both distance and hybrid learners will have the opportunity to participate.

Under The Stars

Join us UNDER THE STARS this WEDNESDAY!!!

• Seating begins at 6pm. (First come, First Serve)

• Check out what the SFT dessert specials are. Order a drink from the Stage Left Lounge. (Table Service)

• Listen to the sounds of Acoustic Lunchbox.

Don't forget your mask, and ya know we love you, but keep your distance. 

And yes... our bathrooms will be open.

GUIDELINES

• All guests are required to wear a face covering unless eating or drinking

• Please practice safe social distancing of 6 feet apart when not seated

• All food and drinks will be served in disposable containers

• No groups larger than five people

The Power of Theatre in Fighting Injustice

The power of community theatre is to bring people together to share and experience the lives of others, to tell stories, and find the truth of humanity in a single moment. During this difficult time we must express that the theatre is a place for the community to come together, heal, and find our commonality. We pledge to use this platform to aid in eliminating racism and injustice. Although we are currently closed due to COVID-19, we remain committed to providing a place for ALL to be elevated, heard, and loved. #blacklivesmatter

COVID-19 Update

Our last communication promised you that we would reach out with any and all information in regards to the reopening of our theater. While the governor announced additional phases for reopening this afternoon, I regret to inform you that not much has changed. Because of the uniqueness of our company, we do not fit into one specific phase of reopening. While we face these challenges head on, we promise to keep everyone’s safety as our number one priority.

The Square Foot Theatre, like many other social businesses, is frozen in time. Our Pippin set is still up. Our cast of American Idiot held its first and only rehearsal. Our walls still exist, but the infectious energy of all who grace us with their presence seems like an eternity ago. 

What we can tell you: the remainder of our 13th season is postponed. Read that again. We are not canceling a thing. We may have been forced into a very elongated intermission, but we have every intention of bringing American Idiot, Shrek, Jr., Moana, Jr. and Footloose to the SFT stage when we get the “all clear.”

Tickets: Our Board of Directors have decided to use our inclement weather policy. This means that your tickets will be honored when the production is rescheduled or you can choose a credit towards a future production. 

Summer at SFT: In the next week, we will be unveiling “Square Foot Summer @ Home.” This will be our virtual Summer Theatre Program. We are so excited to be able to offer something! So, be on the lookout! (Don’t worry adults, we have a Summer Camp for you, too! Stay tuned!) 

Square Foot Tavern Under the Stars: For those of you who did not see our rather vague Facebook post, we are working diligently to offer a different side of SFT until we are able to open again. We will keep you updated on this as soon as we can. 

Thank you for sticking with us through these difficult times. It is a comfort to know we have so many wonderful people on our side. 

I hope this finds you safe and well. I cannot wait until the day where we are all together again. 

With much love and appreciation,

Jared Andrew Brown
Executive Director and Co-Founder

Coronavirus Update

The safety, health, and well-being of our Square Foot Theatre family continues to be our top priority. Based on the recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and mandates from local government agencies regarding COVID-19, we must postpone our upcoming production of American Idiot. Ticket holders will receive a separate communication regarding their tickets. 

This is a challenging time for everyone, and the economic impact due to this crisis will create financial hardship for Square Foot Theatre. As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, we rely on the generosity of our patrons and community.  We hope that you will continue to support us by purchasing tickets, a gift certificate, or making a gift. We also encourage you to visit our COVID-19 website for ways that you can support or virtually stay connected with us. While we are not in the office, our team continues to be available by email. Our ticketing call center, through Tix, Inc., remains open and can be reached at (800)595-4849.

It is times like these that having a strong community is needed more than ever. We remain grateful for your continued support. Although this pandemic may have darkened our stage for the time being, we will continue to follow the light and look forward to an amazing re-opening when we get the “all clear.”

Best wishes to you and your family,

Jared Andrew Brown
Executive Director and Co-Founder

SFT Response to COVID-19

Square Foot Theatre management continues to monitor and implement all recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and local government agencies. To protect our cast members, staff, and their families, and per recent recommendations for social distancing, Square Foot Theatre has suspended all in-person activities through at least March 28.

Tickets and registrations continue to be available online and our ticketing call center, through Tix, Inc., remains open. Our team will not be in the office, but can still be reached via email at squarefoottheatre@gmail.com.

The safety, health, and well-being of our Square Foot Theatre family is our top priority. We will continue to provide updates as this rapidly changing situation unfolds.

Thank you for your continued support.

Jared Andrew Brown

Executive Director & Co-Founder

From Participants to Co-Directors

Journeying down The North Mountain, past the Hidden Folk, and into Arendelle was a dream of ours. The Square Foot Theatre has always been our own little “Arendelle” filled with adventure, chaos, fun, friends, but most importantly love and family.  (Oh, and of course lots and lots of hygge!)

Everyone longs to find friendships that last a lifetime, and that’s what we found from growing up in SFT’s Summer Theatre Program. It’s what we strive to help the kids find and carry with them outside of this theatre. This show has been such an amazing example of how important friendship and family is and we can’t thank Jared, Patrick, and the SFT Board for allowing us to conquer the monster that is Frozen Jr.

To the parents who have volunteered their time, Patrick who worked tirelessly to help our visions come to life, and our family and friends for being the light that thaws away the coldness of the world, thank you. 

These kids have been a dream to work with and they’re passion is unlike any other. Thank you for giving them the opportunity to express themselves here at SFT and let them spend their summer having a blast with us!

We’re so thrilled to open up the gates and invite you into the world of Frozen Jr!

Jane Kos and Joey Mulvey

Co-Directors

Have Your Next Party at SFT!

With the addition of our new space, the possibilities are endless.

Now accepting bookings for your:

• Graduation Party 🎉 

• End of Year Staff Party 🎊 

• Birthday Party 🥳 

• Whatever You Want to Throw Party! 🎈

Full Bar Available. 🍺🍷🥃🍸🍹
Special pricing for nonprofits.

Learn more at squarefoottheatre.com/rentals

Introducing Square Foot Tavern

Square Foot Theatre Company announced its expansion this week to now include a bar and lounge. The company took over the space adjacent to its current location, formally occupied by Yale Billiards, and has been undergoing renovations since the first of the year.

The addition includes a new patron entrance and lobby, with a separate bar area, and 1,500 square foot lounge. “Our company began this journey 12 years ago in the hopes of creating a safe space where actors of all ages can be themselves in a nurturing environment. The new Square Foot Tavern allows us to broaden that atmosphere to the greater community,” said Jared Andrew Brown, Executive Director and Co-Founder. “This space is not just for our actors, patrons, and theatre-lovers. Our living room atmosphere welcomes all to bring their own food, order their favorite drink, and grab a board game to play with family and friends.”

“As we watched actors and patrons linger after our performances, we were inspired to create a space where people can continue to enjoy their night without feeling pressured to leave,” added Michelle O’Brien, President of the Board of Directors. “While the project was a huge undertaking for our small non-profit, the Board agreed it was a perfect opportunity to expand our intimate theatre atmosphere for the community to enjoy beyond production weeks and allow our actors more opportunities to share their craft.”

The venue will feature karaoke nights, Sunday Drag shows, and viewing parties. The added space will also serve as an outlet for actors to be able to test their audition material to patrons before catching their “big break.” It will also be available for private events. The theatre space, with intimate cabaret style seating will remain the same, except patrons will only be allowed to bring in food, with full bar available on site.

The bar and lounge are set to open on April 5 with a grand opening on April 7. After Opening Weekend, the tavern will be open six days a week. (Excluding Mondays).