Community Engagement
“I am honored to be the new Artistic Director at Hartford Stage and to work with you to keep this theatre a vibrant part of the Hartford community. Together, we can make Hartford Stage a place where we celebrate the diverse communities of Hartford while enjoying the range of stories being told on our stage.”
–Melia Bensussen, Artistic Director
Explore our current Community Engagement Programs!
The Hartt School/Hartford Stage Partnership in Training
The Partnership in Training offers a unique alliance of an undergraduate acting conservatory program and a respected professional theatre. This partnership helps ensure that acting students at The Hartt School receive rigorous training and bring their skills, imagination and intellect to the demands of a professional theatre setting. Hartford Stage staff and guest artists lead classes and workshops and faculty and students appear in Hartford Stage productions. Hartt students have been seen in The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, A Christmas Carol, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Noises Off!, To Kill a Mockingbird, Antony & Cleopatra, Snow Falling on Cedars, The Crucible, The Tempest, Twelfth Night, Hamlet, Anastasia, The Comedy of Errors, The Age of Innocence, Henry V and The Flamingo Kid.
Melia Bensussen, as Artistic Advisor to The Hartt School Theatre Department, has had the pleasure of working with the students during the 2020/2021 season. Here are examples of some of the work from this past semester.
Capital Community College
This season will mark the tenth season of the One Play Program—a partnership between Hartford Stage and Capital Community College, designed to give the entire college community the opportunity to come together around one play each semester. In addition to offering discounted tickets for students and faculty, the program also brings members of each production’s creative team to the College to interact with students. This season’s One Play productions are Ah, Wilderness! and Dishwasher Dreams. During the 2017-2018 academic year, in partnership with Hartford Stage and other Hartford theatre companies, Capital began to offer a new associate’s degree in theatre.
Students from Capital Community College collaborated on the creation A Community Carol in December 2020. Watch them in a scene from the production here and see other work that they created to inspire the whole production here.
Hartford Public Library Partnership – Theatre Tickets for Hartford Residents
Hartford residents with an adult or teen library card can reserve a two-ticket pass per eligible show from any of the seven library branches. If you are a Hartford resident, but do not have a library card, you may get one by visiting any Hartford Public library location and presenting a valid ID confirming Hartford residency. Hartford residents can check online to view performance dates and times, as well as the branch locations where passes are available. Hartford Stage passes must be requested in person at the library.
Neighborhood Ambassador Program
Join members of the Hartford community in conversation about the shows at Hartford Stage and how those themes directly intersect with life in our city. Ambassadors must be inquisitive and enthusiastic about Hartford. They do not have to be avid theatre-goers or even have ever gone to the theatre. Ambassadors will join together to have a casual dinner and conversation at Hartford Stage prior to attend a minimum of four shows during the season. In addition to attending the shows, Ambassadors will be invited to special backstage tours and production-related events to learn more about how theatre is made.
Complete an application to be considered for participation in the Neighborhood Ambassador Program.
Our Neighborhood Ambassador roster is full for the 2019/2020 season. Feel free to take advantage of the Hartford Public Library ticket program, which enables Hartford residents to reserve a two-ticket pass. Learn more here »
HPL @ Hartford Stage
Hartford Public Library and Hartford Stage invite you to dig deeper into the world of the plays onstage. Use your Connecticut town library card to check out a book from the HPL @ Hartford Stage library kiosk located in the lower lobby of the theatre near Guest Services.
Community Access Program
Enjoy theatre at Hartford Stage with your non-profit community. Invite 10 constituents and a group leader to attend up to four shows free-of-charge. Your group will receive pre-show orientations, behind-the-scenes look at theatre-making and more. Complete an application on behalf of your Hartford non-profit organization to be considered for participation in the Community Access Program.
Community Engagement Sponsors
Robert and Margaret Patricelli Family Foundation
