Ridgefield's 'Big Read' Event Earns 'Great Gatsby' Grant

RIDGEFIELD, Conn. -- The Ridgefield Playhouse has announced that it has received a grant, in partnership with the Ridgefield Library, of $16,000 to host "The Big Read" in Ridgefield.

Allison Stockel, executive director of the Ridgefield Playhouse, and Chris Nolan, director of Ridgefield Library are excited to bring "The Big Read" to Ridgefield this fall after receiving a national grant.
Photo Credit: *Contributed*

by Eric Gendron

06/27/2014 4:00 a.m.

"The Big Read" is a program of the National Endowment for the Arts, in partnership with Arts Midwest, designed to "revitalize the role of literature in American culture and to encourage citizens to read for pleasure and enlightenment," according to a release.

The Ridgefield Playhouse is one of 77 nonprofit organizations to receive a grant to host "The Big Read" project between September 2014 and June 2015 and the only organization in Connecticut to be awarded the grant.

"The Big Read" in Ridgefield will focus on "The Great Gatsby" by F. Scott Fitzgerald. Community activities will create opportunities to come together to read, discuss and celebrate this book, which was one of 36 selections from the U.S. and world literature.

The events planned will take place from Oct. 1 to Nov. 2, 2014, which encompasses Ridgefield’s “Fall in Love with Ridgefield” weekend in October. A wide range of town organizations and groups will be involved in The Big Read, which will be launched at The Ridgefield Playhouse.

“The Ridgefield Playhouse is honored to be chosen by the National Endowment for the Arts and delighted to partner with Ridgefield Library to celebrate 'The Big Read' in our town," Ridgefield Playhouse Executive Director Allison Stockel said in a statement. "The related activities are a great addition to our 2014-2015 season, and we look forward to bringing the whole town together to celebrate F. Scott Fitzgerald’s book 'The Great Gatsby.'"

Ridgefield Library director Chris Nolan added that the "Big Read" will be an opportunity to showcase the brand new Ridgefield Library.

"We now have excellent facilities to support the many activities associated with the project, from rooms for book groups to discuss 'The Great Gatsby,' to a Gallery for exhibits, to program spaces for scholarly presentations," Nolan said in the statement "We are pleased to be continuing our partnership with The Ridgefield Playhouse in bringing this important initiative to our community.”

Click here to follow Daily Voice Ridgefield and receive free news updates.