Westport’s Fairfield County Bank Becomes Platinum Sponsor, Arts in Education Supporter for Ridgefield Playhouse
(L-r): Laura Silver (AVP, Marketing, Fairfield County Bank), Ashley Paltauf (General Manager, The Ridgefield Playhouse), Allison Stockel (Executive Director, The Ridgefield Playhouse), Dan Berta (President, Fairfield County Bank). Contributed photo. Fairfield County Bank Press ReleaseFairfield County Bank has signed on to become a Platinum Sponsor and Arts in Education supporter of The Ridgefield Playhouse, marking their 20th year supporting the regional performing arts center. “Fairfield County Bank has been with us since the beginning, when the Ridgefield Playhouse first opened its doors more than 20 years ago,” says Allison Stockel, Executive Director of the venue. “We are so grateful for their support, and commitment to our town. They are a major reason why the Playhouse has been able to grow over the years and become the venue it is today.” Over the past 20 years, the Playhouse has gone from presenting 16 shows its first season to more than 250 in 2019, bringing more than 100,000 patrons to Ridgefield.
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Fairfield County Bank has also been an integral part of the growth of the Arts in Education series. “When our Arts in Education series first started, we presented approximately 4-6 shows during the school season,” says Stockel, “but thanks to the support of sponsors like Fairfield County Bank, we have been able to fill a larger need as requests from teachers have grown over the years to add shows that coordinate with their curriculum.”
This coming season Fairfield County Bank’s donation will also allow the Playhouse’s STEM offerings to continue. In addition, the Bank is also offering online financial education courses, free for all who attend the shows. “We are proud to be a part of and sponsor such an important educational experience for students in our community,” says Fairfield County Bank’s Marketing Manager, Laura Silver. “We look forward to hosting and volunteering at the shows while supporting the students’ financial journey.”
The Arts in Education series now presents more than 22 shows each season. The Playhouse even continued to present educational programming during the pandemic, being one of the only theaters to continue the Arts in Education virtually. “We figured out a way to continue our mission,” says Stockel. “And because of our ability to pivot and the support of our sponsors, more than 10,500 students were able to view our education series this past season-many for free- which focused on everything from reading and literacy to STEM.”