The Ridgefield Economic & Community Development Commission will be honoring the four inaugural winners of its Cultural District Award at the Ridgefield Arts Council’s Behind the Scenes ceremony on May 11, 2021.
Honorees include the years from 2021, when the Cultural District designation was bestowed upon the town. Honorees have made an extraordinary contribution to the economic development of the town by furthering some aspect of Ridgefield’s cultural district. Up until the ceremony, we will do a feature on each of the winners to learn a little more about them and their contributions to Ridgefield.
Today we feature Allison Stockel.
MEET ALLISON STOCKEL
After joining the Board of Directors in 2001, Allison Stockel became Executive Director of The Ridgefield Playhouse in 2004. She oversaw its growth from a small-town movie and arts theater to a regional performing arts center powerhouse hosting more than 200 national and international performers of music, dance, comedy, theater and more. Visitors to the Playhouse became visitors to our town, reaching more than 100,000 patrons in a year. These customers enjoyed our restaurants, hotels, and local merchants, adding an additional $3 million annually to the economy of the town, in addition to the price of show tickets.
Stockel just completed a $4-million capital campaign, which expanded the lobby and backstage of the Playhouse: the theater inside the building has been named in her honor. In addition to remaining Executive Director emeritus of The Ridgefield Playhouse, Stockel also serves on the advisory board of The Center for Empowerment and Education, is an Incorporator of the Lounsbury House and is on the board of directors of the Ridgefield Symphony Orchestra.
IN HER OWN WORDS
Tell us a little about yourself.
After I graduated from NYU, I became a television producer first for CNN, then for VH1/ MTV Networks, Time Warner and many more. My love for music, and the arts led me to volunteering my time at The Ridgefield Playhouse- where I stayed for more than 20 years. But my love for nature and swimming, biking and running led me to become a triathlete. The Ridgefield Triathlon has always been one of my favorite races. Now that I have retired from running the Playhouse, I plan on getting back into doing triathlons, spending time with my dog Charlie, and splitting my time between Connecticut and the beach in Florida.
I love what the arts bring to a community. Ridgefield has a wonderful cultural and artistic community that just happened organically. It wasn't "planned" and I think that is one of the reasons it has been so successful. It came out of the desire of the people who live here. When I first moved to Ridgefield, it was the same month that The Playhouse first opened its doors. With my background in Entertainment News, it seemed like a natural fit for me to get involved. The rest, as they say, is history.
Who is someone you admire and why do you look up to them?
There are so many great role models, even right here in our own community. People in Ridgefield have a voice and they're not afraid to use it. Anita and Nick Donofrio are two people in this town that are so amazing to me. They put in the time to make this town, and this world, a better place. They have always been role models to me because they don't just talk the talk, they walk the walk. Both of them!! It's amazing. If I ever have a question about anything I know I can go to them for an answer. I am so appreciative for all they do for this community.
Anything else you would like to share?
The arts can transform a community. We are so lucky to live in a place where people appreciate that. And although I have moved to Norwalk recently, I still consider Ridgefield my hometown. It was a place where I lived for more than 20 years, raised my children in and got to be a part of transforming the landscape of the arts and culture of this town and for that I will always be appreciative and proud.