Warner Theatre

The Warner Theatre is once again Connecticut's most beautiful theatre!

Built by Warner Brothers Studios and opened in 1931 as a movie palace, the Warner Theatre was described then as "Connecticut's Most Beautiful Theatre".

Originally one of the oldest continuously operating department stores in the country, the historic Mertz building in downtown Torrington was purchased in 2002 with the hopes of being transformed into a performing arts center and augmenting the existing Warner complex. After six years of planning and fundraising, the building was renamed the Carole and Ray Neag Performing Arts Center (after Torrington natives Carole and Ray Neag who donated $1 Million towards the project) in May 2008. The building is home to:

• State-of-the-art, 300-seat black-box style Nancy Marine Studio Theatre (named after a patron of the arts whose family generously donated the original site of the Studio Theatre at 69 Main Street).

• The Warner's on-site school for the arts, the Warner Theatre Center for Arts Education, including classrooms, rehearsal studios, private practice rooms, locker rooms, a dance hall and a media center.

• The 200-seat restaurant and micro-brewery, Backstage Restaurant.

The Warner complex also includes:

• 21,000 square foot storage facility, including an 8,000 square foot costume shop.

• A set and prop shop.

• Michael's Jewelry, a retail store.

Today, the Warner is in operation year-round with more than 160 public performances and serves 100,000 patrons. Over 8,000 children grades k-12 are impacted by the theatre's arts education programs.

Close to $17 million in funding has been secured to date to complete these capital improvements. Funding included generous support from the State of Connecticut, The Federal Government, foundations, corporation and individuals. ACT I was led by Ken Merz of Litchfield and Brian Mattiello of Torrington. ACT II was led by Ken Merz and by Chuck Brower of Torrington. Together, and with the active support of the Warner's Board of Directors, dedicated staff and volunteers, the Warner Team continues to be engaged in fundraising, making this the most successful capital campaign for a private non-profit organization in Northwest Connecticut.

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