On Saturday, May 17th, Gloucester Stage Company hosted a special dedication ceremony to officially rename its home The Natti-Willsky Performance Center, in recognition of longtime supporters and generous benefactors Susanna Natti and Alan Willsky.
The renaming honors the enduring contributions of Susanna Natti and Alan Willsky, whose generosity of over $760,000 over the last 6 years has kept the company afloat through monumental challenges. The event brought together community members, artists, supporters, and civic leaders to celebrate a legacy of philanthropy, passion for the arts, and belief in the power of live performance.
In 2022, Susanna and Alan established The Robert Natti Fund in honor of Suzi’s late father— beloved local educator and performer, Robert Natti. The fund was created as a catalyst for growth, providing critical support for long-term capital projects and artistic endeavors at Gloucester Stage. Through this fund, the organization has been able to enhance experiences for both artists and audiences, in keeping with Robert’s lifelong dedication to the performing arts.
“Theatre and the arts could not thrive without visionaries,” said Producing Artistic Director Rebecca Bradshaw. “Susanna and Alan have been just that for Gloucester Stage.”
The heartfelt ceremony included remarks from a distinguished lineup of speakers, including Mayor Greg Verga, Senator Bruce Tarr, distinguished actor/director and former Interim Artistic Director Paula Plum, longtime actor/collaborator and Board Member Dossy Peabody, Current Board President Geoffrey Richon, and Alan Willsky himself.
In conjunction with the dedication, Gloucester Stage launched its “Name A Seat” Campaign— a new fundraising initiative that allows supporters to donate $500 to name a seat in the newly named performance center. Donors can place a plaque on a theater seat in their own name or in honor of a loved one. Attendees at the event received first access to select their seats, prompting a spirited rush to the seating map, raising over $13,000 in a day.
At a time when arts organizations are facing growing challenges, the Gloucester community continues to affirm its belief in the necessity of live theatre—a space to laugh, to connect, and to share the human experience.
For more information on the Name A Seat Campaign or how to contribute to The Robert Natti Fund, visit www.gloucesterstage.com or contact info@gloucesterstage.com.
Good Morning Gloucester 