RIDGEFIELD — As the mother of two young children who had recently moved to Ridgefield, Allison Stockel said she was first drawn to the intimate environment of The Ridgefield Playhouse after reading about the venue. At the time, the former high school auditorium was being utilized for discount movie shows, occasional community events, and concerts.

Within a few years, Stockel’s passion to see the not-for-profit playhouse fulfill its potential inspired her to take a seat on its board of directors, and a short time later she was named its interim executive director. In that capacity, tapping her lifetime of entertainment industry experience, Stockel began increasing the number and variety of bookings while attracting bigger names.

It wasn’t long before the board asked her to drop the “interim” from her title and take charge of the now thriving arts center and concert venue. Stockel agreed under the condition that she would donate her salary back to the organization — essentially working for free and often putting in 40, 50 and occasionally 60-hour weeks during the venue’s busiest periods.

At the same time, she continued to build a reputation in her community and throughout the region as a strong advocate for the charities she supports, as a volunteer driving meals to local seniors and shut-ins, and participating in dozens of walks, runs, marathons, as well as more grueling bi- and triathlons.

By conservative estimate, Stockel believes she has helped raise nearly a quarter of a million dollars for local charities between her many outside activities and the fundraising she facilitates through the playhouse. And she is most proud to have counted in that effort, more than $60,000 raised for the Sandy Hook School victims and survivors during a two-day concert showcase just 30 days after the tragedy.

New Fund Established

On September 17, it was Stockel’s turn to sit back for a few moments as her board and the community honored her for ten years of service leading a team that has elevated the Ridgefield Playhouse to a unique position among a regional arts and entertainment venues. On the occasion of the playhouse’s annual gala, the board also announced the establishment of  The Allison Stockel Fund to benefit the endowment of the not-for-profit performing arts center.

An initial amount of $250,000 was presented that evening to launch the fund that both Stockel and her volunteer colleagues believe will help sustain the Playhouse far into the future.

At the same time Stockel was working tirelessly to help build the playhouse into a mecca for community and regional arts, film and music lovers, she was also responsible generating a significant amount of traffic among fans and ticket holders who patronize area restaurants, shops and other businesses.

Ridgefield First Selectman Rudy Marconi said that Stockel has created an economic engine with The Ridgefield Playhouse over the past decade.  

“Our many restaurants and stores have undoubtedly benefited from her promotion and development of a list of performers that has attracted an audience from throughout New England, the mid-Atlantic and beyond,” the first selectman said. “Her community spirit and willingness to serve a number of other philanthropic organizations has made Ridgefield yet a better place to live.”

Relationship Building

Ellen Burns and Darwin Ellis of neighboring business Books on the Common say that Stockel has fostered a great working relationship with local retailers and restaurants.

“She understands that the Playhouse needs to help the business community — that it’s a two-way street,” Burns said. “Local businesses support the Playhouse, and, in turn, we all benefit from the tremendous shows she brings to Ridgefield, and the people who come to town as a result.”

Books on the Common has underwritten programs, said Ellis.

“And Allison has brought some wonderful talent to the Playhouse, giving us the opportunity to sell books at these amazing sold-out shows,” she said.

Perhaps Monica Brown, Owner, No. 109 Cheese & Wine says it best: “Her energy for taking care of so many Ridgefield organizations and local businesses that she supports both financially and with her own time seems to be inexhaustible. I wish they could bottle it!”

During an interview with The Newtown Bee, Stockel said she cannot remember a time when she wasn’t involved in the entertainment industry. Her fondest memories as a child and teenager are of assisting an uncle who helped establish The Preservation Hall Jazz Band.

She spent many childhood and early teen summers working with her uncle and the band in New Orleans, and in later years, joining the band as they toured the country.

At 19, she took a producer job at CNN and continued to work in the television and entertainment industry until she married and had two children, eventually settling just a mile away from the playhouse that would become her home away from home for more than a dozen years between her tenure on the board and her leadership as its exec.

Booking Annuals

Besides helping to grow the venue and its reputation among regional audiences, Stockel has effectively used a tactic she learned from her uncle developing relationships with artists, booking agents and tour managers and facilitating annual or regular visits to The Ridgefield Playhouse by those artists.

“A lot of the time we do the re-bookings because that’s how it was growing up with Preservation Hall,” she said. “So we do the same thing. We have certain artists who are like annuals for us, and I think people come to expect it year after year. They just know that they don’t have to worry about following their favorite artists around the area because we’re going to be bringing them back to Ridgefield at some point every year.”

The Playhouse film and film makers series is also a popular draw, often attracting talents involved with some of the classic films like Ron Howard, Tony Goldwyn, Tim Robbins and Harvey Keitel for engaging question and answer sessions following screenings. Stockel also sees a value in supporting fledgling talent with screen and scriptwriting classes with notable film and television industry writers, and with occasional master classes bringing musical artists together with students looking to hone their talents.

Anyone wishing to support the venue and its many programs may make contributions by check payable to The Ridgefield Playhouse for the benefit of The Allison Stockel Fund and sent to Julie Paltauf c/o Ridgefield Playhouse, 80 East Ridge Road, Ridgefield CT 06877. For a full listing of playhouse events, visit ridgefieldplayhouse.org.