2 Teens Charged With Burning Down Stratford’s American Shakespeare Theatre | Playbill

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Industry News 2 Teens Charged With Burning Down Stratford’s American Shakespeare Theatre The Connecticut venue burned down in the early hours of the morning January 13.
Damage following a fire at Stratford's American Shakespeare Festival Theatre NBC Connecticut

Two Connecticut teenagers, aged 17 and 18, have been charged with setting fire to the American Shakespeare Theatre, according to the Associated Press. As previously reported, the historic and cultural landmark in Stratford, Connecticut, burned to the ground January 13.

The building, which had not been in use as an active theatre for several years, was unoccupied at the time of the fire and there were no injuries. The names of the teenagers charged were not released because both were juveniles at the time of the incident.

The American Shakespeare Theatre opened in 1955, developed by playwright Lawrence Langer, Lincoln Kirstein, and Joseph Verner Reed (who eventually served as executive producer). It would go on to house such performers as Katharine Hepburn, James Earl Jones, Ed Asner, and Barbara Barrie.

The American Shakespeare Festival worked out of the theatre until 1982 before the state took ownership the following year.

 
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