If you’ve enjoyed a Thanksgiving Parade Spectacular, Alive at Five concerts or street art in Stamford Downtown, then you can thank Lynne Colatrella. Lynne has been producing downtown events since 1999. She helped to grow the parade to one of the most significant in the country! The concert series was built upon local talent in a trailer in the park. Lynne’s vision elevated it to a big stage with big name performers like BB King, Joe Jackson, Shaggy and so many more. The concerts were so successful they moved to Mill River to accommodate even bigger audiences. Street Art in Stamford has featured Seward Johnson, Bjorn Skaarup and NYC Pop Artist, Charles Fazzino along with alternate years of highlighting local artists for themed sculptures such as: Horses, Dinosaurs, Spaceships and this year’s, OINK! with piggies.
Lynne has recently retired from Stamford Downtown but she continues to serve on the Stamford Arts & Culture Committee, a board member of the Stamford Museum & Nature Center along with several other organizations. Lynne created Scripts on Tap at The Palace Theatre highlighting writers and performers. (In fact, I will be performing with Ray Michaud on May 5th, 7p for a reading of Steve Karp’s “When We Were Young.” Hope to see you there!)
Lynne’s love of theater goes back to Stage Door for Youth with Joe Catalinotto. Other area students included Treat Williams, Pat Gorman, and Carmine Spinelli. Her first production was Carousel. Other plays included Gypsy, West Side Story, Finian’s Rainbow and more. It would be the beginning of a lifetime love affair with theater.
Lynne is a Cum Laude graduate from the University of Miami with a BFA in Theater. Fellow classmates included Ray Liotta, Steven Bauer, and Saundra Santiago to name a few. In Miami, Lynne obtained her equity status while performing in Grease. After college, Lynne headed to the west coast and the bright lights of Hollywood.
In Los Angeles, Lynne was part of an exclusive group of actors under the tutelage of Harvey Lembeck. You may know Harvey as the motorcycle rebel in the Beach Blanket Movies of the 60s – Eric Von Zipper. He was best friends with Jack Lemmon and William Holden who often stopped by class. Harvey was an exceptional teacher and human. He fostered talent by building on their strengths and inspiring them to take bigger risks in their work, a lesson Lynne would adapt to her own teaching skills years later. Fellow students included Robin Williams, Penny Marshall, John Ritter and newbie, Bryan Cranston. Chris Lemmon, Jack’s son, was also a student and the class would often continue to Chris’ apartment afterwards where everyone improvised around the piano, sometimes with Jack.
Upon returning to Stamford, Lynne co-founded Curtain Call in 1990. The situation comedy workshop was the foundation for its humble beginnings in partnership with the Stamford Community Arts Council. Curtain Call quickly outgrew the space on Prospect Street and moved to the basement of the State Theater on Hope Street. Once again, outgrowing the space, Curtain Call was invited to assume management of the Ethel Kweskin upon the retirement of Al Pia. Along with the move came the intimate Dressing Room Theatre, an adult and youth comedy improv troop – The Players and Half Pint Players, and a robust education program for youths and adults as well as the main stage productions.
Lynne’s contributions from Stage Door to Pink Tent to Curtain Call and Stamford Downtown is one of the reasons that she is being honored at this year’s 13th Annual Palace Theatre Gala with Kool & the Gang on May 16th .
“Lynne has always shown unwavering passion for the arts. In addition to creating and producing countless live events, she is an actor and director - a member of SAG, AFTRA and AEA. Her experience and affiliations are exceptional. I am honored to have worked with Lynne in various roles over the past twenty-five years. Lynne’s dedication to the arts and her leadership in community engagement has left an indelible mark on Stamford. This honor is well deserved” asserts Michael Moran, President & CEO of The Palace Stamford.
Tickets for the Palace event are available online at PalaceStamford.org.
Lynne has no plans for slowing down. In fact, she is excited to dedicate more of her time to theater. She is currently in production directing “Jukebox at the Algonquin” by Paul Stroili, May 1-18 at Curtain Call. Tickets are available at curtaincallinc.com.
In addition to her love of theatre, Lynne is also active with emergency preparedness. She is founding member of CERT (Stamford's Community Emergency Response Team). She's active on Dr. Nero's Hands for Life team. Lynne is a founding member of Paint the Town Pink - a breast cancer awareness initiative in partnership with the Stamford Hospital. And, she is a Fairy Godmother for the Cinderella Project.
Lynne's influence is woven into the fabric of our community - a testament to how one person's passion and perseverance can transform not just a place, but the very spirit of a city.
Lynne has always shown unwavering passion for the arts. Her dedication to the arts and her leadership in community engagement has left an indelible mark on Stamford.
- Michael Moran, President & CEO of The Palace Stamford