BOSTON – The Massachusetts State Senate on Wednesday unanimously passed a $46 billion budget for Fiscal Year 2021 (FY21). Included in the budget was an amendment offered by Senator Patrick O’Connor (R-Weymouth) providing $150,000 of funding for the Company Theatre in Norwell to support their programming.
“The Company Theatre has long been a staple in the South Shore community. Their work entertaining, enlightening, and energizing audiences with high quality productions, and inspiring students of all ages through the power of performing arts has been something to behold,” said Senator O’Connor. “Like many in our community, they’re in a difficult position – I’m hopeful that this funding will provide a much-needed boost that will allow them to thrive well beyond the public health challenge we’re currently facing.”
Zoe Bradford, Co-Founder and Artistic Director of The Company Theatre, said, “On behalf of the Company Theatre, I would like to extend our deepest heartfelt thanks for Senator O’Connor’s support of the arts. Our non-profit organization has suffered tremendous loss, and the Senator has a clear understanding of the pandemic’s effect on our arts and theatre community. These allotted funds will insure a strong re-opening on our road to recovery. The Senator’s support touches the lives and livelihoods of countless individuals who will be truly grateful.”
“Since March, The Company Theatre Board of Directors has been working closely with Zoe Bradford and her talented team to try to minimize the devastating impact of the pandemic on the theatre,” said Board of Directors Chair Alyson Molloy Hussey. “We have had to make some truly heartbreaking decisions. The Commonwealth's investment will help us to remain viable through this pandemic and be better equipped to welcome back audiences when it is safe to do so. I am incredibly grateful to Senator O'Connor for advocating for The Company Theatre and for recognizing how important this non-profit organization is to our community.”
For more information about the Company Theatre and their work, visit www.companytheatre.com.
The Senate’s FY21 budget will move to Conference Committee where three members of the House and three members of the Senate will work out the differences between the House and Senate budgets. As the Ranking Minority Member of Senate Ways and Means, Senator O’Connor will be one of the six legislators responsible for negotiating the legislature’s final version of the budget.
Senator Patrick O’Connor represents the Plymouth and Norfolk district, which includes the towns of Cohasset, Duxbury, Hingham, Hull, Marshfield, Norwell, Scituate, and Weymouth. Sen. O’Connor and his staff may be reached at the State House at 617-722-1646 or by email at Patrick.O’[email protected].
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