Gilmour Academy broke ground last month for The Lorraine and Bill Dodero Center for Performing Arts. The complex will feature a 300-seat main theater, an 86-seat black box theater, a scene shop, costume shop, speech and debate practice rooms, a presentation room and music ensemble enclave, as well as an art gallery hall. Students in the Lower, Middle and Upper Schools will be able to use the space and benefit from the expanded programs made possible by a building dedicated to the performing arts. Construction is expected to be complete in time for the start of the 2019-20 school year.
Lorraine and Bill Dodero provided the lead gift to jumpstart this project. The couple, whose daughter, Corinne Dodero Salvador ’02, was involved in drama during her years at Gilmour, came forth with the lead gift in 2015. There were 289 other donors who came forward in support of the project.
The Performing Arts Center will provide a hub for creativity, engagement and exploring for the Academy’s arts community and will provide support for education and common collaboration,” Lorraine Dodero says. “In order to allow a child to grow and expand, we all need to help them show their voice and this is the beginning of it.”
“This incredible facility will also enable us to build out arts programming for our students as well as the community,” Head of School Kathy Kenny said. “I couldn’t be more grateful to Lorraine and Bill Dodero and the many other donors who have made this dream a reality for our school.”
— Submitted by Gilmour Academy
