Chester - Chester Theatre Company now has a home to call its own. J. Andrew Myers and Martin Wohl, owners of the 4 Main Street location in Chester that has served as CTC's most recent rented office space, have donated the building to the company. Since its founding in 1990, CTC has rented space in various locations in Chester -- now the company's nomadic life has come to an end.

"Donating property is a great way to support the arts!" said Andy Myers, "Marty and I are so pleased to be able to donate the "Theatre House" on Main Street to CTC. The Theatre has been a terrific asset to the Town of Chester for 22 years, and we wish it continued success for many years to come."

"This gift has a profound effect on our balance sheet," according to CTC Board Chair Cipora Brown "and the asset is a key element in our plan to stabilize the financial life of the company so it supports its award- winning artistic life. Our deepest thanks go out to Andy and Marty for putting that element in place."

The distinctive cream colored Victorian with red trim that sits at the head of Main Street in Chester has been the site of CTC's administrative programs since 2000. Not only are there offices on the ground floor, but upstairs there are bedrooms that house actors, designers, stage managers and technicians during the company's annual summer season. Until the recent donation of CTC's costume collection to the Theatre Department at Westfield State University, 4 Main Street also housed that collection.

According to CTC Artistic Director Byam Stevens, "For the past 22 years, we've rented space in Chester. Now, we're owners - it's a very different kind of stake in the community. We also have the freedom to adapt the building to more closely meet our needs. It's very exciting time of growth for the whole organization!"