Sen. Lewis and Rep. Day secure $100K for Greater Boston Stage Company

  State Senator Jason Lewis and State Representative Michael Day recently announced that they successfully secured a $100,000 appropriation for the Greater Boston Stage Company. This is part of the COVID-19 pandemic recovery bill passed by the state legislature and partially signed into law by Governor Charlie Baker on December 13, 2021. The funds will be used by the Greater Boston Stage Company (GBSC), a nonprofit regional theatre located in Stoneham, to make COVID-19 health and safety facility improvements and upgrades.

  “The Greater Boston Stage Company is an integral part of our local arts and culture scene and this funding will help ensure that they can continue safely welcoming audiences,” said Lewis. “The pandemic has had a particularly devastating impact on our cultural institutions, which are such an important part of our local economy and thriving communities.”

  “The Greater Boston Stage Company isn’t just an economic anchor for the Stoneham downtown, it’s a cultural asset for the entire region,” said Day. “Ensuring that our cultural institutions have the financial support they need to recover and adapt after over a year of restrictions and darkened stages is a priority and I am glad to have partnered with Senator Lewis to secure these funds.”

  “Greater Boston Stage Company is thankful for the advocacy of our state delegation in securing this recovery funding,” said GBSC Development Director Heather Mell. “These funds will make it possible for the theatre to cover the added costs we have incurred due to new COVID health and safety protocols and will allow us to make vital updates to our facility to support greater accessibility for our artists, patrons, and community.”

  The aforementioned bill, which is titled An Act relative to immediate COVID-19 recovery needs, uses federal monies received from the American Rescue Plan Act as well as the state’s Fiscal Year 2021 budget surplus, and it is now Chapter 102 of the Acts of 2021, except for certain sections that were returned to the House due to Governor Baker’s vetoes and amendments.