At the Fred P. Meagher Theatre, the stage comes to life with music, dance, and dialogue dozens of times each year. And behind the scenes of every production, performers prepare in the dressing rooms, spaces just as essential to the creative process as the stage itself.
Thanks to a $100,000 grant from the George I. Alden Trust, those backstage spaces have been completely renovated.
The updates include brand-new countertops, cabinets, sinks, mirrors, ceilings, and improved lighting. Fresh paint and modern fixtures tie the rooms together, creating a polished and welcoming backstage environment.
“When visiting artists and community groups use the space, they’ll see the care that’s been invested here,” notes Nick DiMarino, Neumann’s veteran coordinator of cultural programming. “It sends a message that Neumann values the arts and the people who bring them to life.”
The impact of the renovations extends far beyond Neumann’s student performers. The Meagher Theatre serves as the home of the Arts Guild, a collective of eight cultural organizations—including the Delaware County Symphony, International Ballet Classique, and Center Stage Productions —that enrich the entire Delaware Valley community.
When George I. Alden established his Trust in 1912, his vision was “to do the greatest good for the greatest number.” More than a century later, his legacy continues to touch the lives of Neumann students.
“The Trustees’ decision to invest in the dressing room renovations was about more than bricks and mortar,” according to Carrie Snyder, vice president for university advancement. “It was about giving young performers the tools and spaces they need to thrive.”
The stage will always be where the magic happens, and thanks to the Alden Trust, the backstage environment before the curtain rises will enhance those magical moments.