It is with great pleasure that we introduce you to our new home, which will be
The OPERA HOUSE, only a short distance away in Broad Brook, Ct. The Opera House was built in 1892 by the Broad Brook Company, a woolen mill located across the street from the Opera House. The hall was provided by the mill for the use of the town as its primary meeting place. The lower level served as the sales office for mill products.
The Opera House was used for town meetings, shows, plays, minstrels, and special parties until the early 1980's. The hall was host to our soldiers' welcome home parties after both WW1 and WW11. The last time the hall was used for a theatrical production was in the 1960's.
A trolley line ran through Broad Brook, with a stop directly in front of the Opera House. The line went to Ellington and Stafford Springs (east) and to East Hartford meeting with other trolleys and rail lines.
St. Martha Players' Board has been working very hard over the past few months to make this new home a reality. We are thrilled to have a space that will be EXCLUSIVELY ours. We feel that we will be able to not only continue but to enhance the variety and number of productions that we sponsor. The interior space is filled with beautiful chestnut wood that is well preserved. The space lends itself to a variety of theatrical productions. There is even a refreshment center. The exterior has just been painted and the parking area will be paved in the next few weeks.
We are grateful for the help of so many people who have partnered with us in this endeavor. Our thanks to Scott Fay, Tom Kuhns, and Bob Kelly. Your efforts are giving SMP a most promising future.
We are so excited about our new home! We have signed the lease and are ready to go full speed ahead.
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