“The thing about life is that you must survive. Life is going to be difficult, and dreadful things will happen. What you do is move along, get on with it, and be tough. Not in the sense of being mean to others, but being tough with yourself and making a deadly effort not to be defeated.”
― Katharine Hepburn

YOUR SAFETY AT THE KATE

This policy is subject to change at any time

While The Kate maintains its commitment to the importance of COVID-19 vaccination and encourages patrons to be up to date with their vaccinations based on their individual health requirements. Patrons are no longer required to present either proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test to attend events.

Mask wearing while inside is strongly encouraged.

Some events may require additional COVID-19 health and safety protocols per artist/event contracts. That information will be posted on the individual event page and patrons will receive a reminder email in advance of the performance.  Ticketholders are strongly encouraged to confirm any additional required conditions (i.e., proof of vaccination, mask-wearing) in the days prior to their event as we will be unable to make exceptions.

These policies will continue to be evaluated based on current conditions and updates can be found on thekate.org or by calling the box office at 860.510.0453.

INCLUSION AS A CORE VALUE

• We welcome and engage patrons, members, sponsors, volunteers, and staff of diverse backgrounds, treating them with respect and integrity.
• We embrace all that makes our constituents unique and strive to be inclusive on the basis of our unique differences, both physical and ideological.

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The Kate turned 10 in September of 2019!

Since our very first days, many friends have told us about chance encounters with Katharine Hepburn, a favorite show they’ve attended, or a special moment while volunteering at the Kate. As part of our 10 year anniversary celebration we collected “Kate Stories” from many of you.

Follow this link to read some of the STORIES WE’VE RECEIVED!

The Katharine Hepburn Cultural Arts Center is a non-profit performing arts organization located in an historic theatre/town hall on Main Street in Old Saybrook. Originally opened in 1911, the building is now listed on the National Register of Historic Places. After state-of-the art renovations, the center includes a 285-seat theatre that presents work in several genres including music, theater, opera, dance, comedy, film, and a variety of children’s programming. The Katharine Hepburn Museum is located on the first floor and is open Tues. – Fri. from 10 am to 4 pm. It is the only museum of its kind honoring Katharine Hepburn, Old Saybrook’s most celebrated resident. Exhibits feature costume and personal wardrobe items, photographs, home movies, awards, and other memorabilia.

Our mission:

The Katharine Hepburn Cultural Arts Center exists to present a diverse repertoire of cultural and performing arts, to provide educational opportunities in the arts, and to be a lasting legacy for America’s iconic actress.

At present:

  • The Kate averages 20 performances a month or 240 performances a year.
  • To date, there have been more than 1,500 performances of everything from ballet to magic, music to dance.
  • The Kate serves nearly 45,000 children and adults each year.
  • Specifically for children, the Kate offers a children’s performance series each season, brings Missoula Children’s Theater to town twice a year to allow young area thespians a chance to get up on stage and perform, and each summer hosts 5 weeks of Kate’s Camp for Kids, a week-long intensive introducing children ages 5-10 to the performing arts, and a two-week session of Summer Spotlight for ages 11-13 where kids are immersed in all facets of writing, composing songs, rehearsing, choreographing, designing and creating props, and learning about the technical aspects of live performance.
  • Along with its live performances, the Kate has 3 satellite dishes and shows simulcasts from the National Theatre of London, the Metropolitan Opera, and the Bolshoi Ballet of Russia.
  • Beginning in 2015, the Kate partnered with Connecticut Public Television on a new national series affectionately called ‘The Kate.’ This CPTV original series presents bold performers with something to say.

Just a few of the performers who have appeared at the Kate:

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Photo: The Allman/Neville/Pitchell Show at the Kate

Ed Asner, Aztec Two-Step, Booker T, Karla Bonoff, Marc Broussard, Betty Buckley, Paula Cole, Celtic Tenors, Marc Cohn, Judy Collins, CT Ballet, Sheila E., Jonathan Edwards, Steve Forbert, Art Garfunkel, Ana Gasteyer, Richie Havens, Anne Heaton, Garth Hudson, Robin Hitchcock, Janis Ian, Eileen Ivers, Rickie Lee Jones, Lucy Kaplansky, Jorma Kaukonen, Zoe Keating, Patty Larkin, Jane Lynch, Melissa Manchester, Richard Marx, Raul Midon, Momix, Roger McGuinn, Graham Nash, Aaron Neville, Joan Osborne, Steven Page, Poco, Paula Poundstone, Pure Prairie League, Pousette-Dart Band, Graham Parker, Leon Redbone, Tom Rush, Rusted Root, Chris Smither, Mavis Staples, Marty Stuart, Al Stewart, Kiefer Sutherland, Livingston Taylor, Richard Thompson, Paul Taylor 2, Walter Trout, Suzanne Vega, Jimmy Webb, The Ann Wilson Thing, Rita Wilson, George Winston, Peter Wolf, Peter Yarrow, Jesse Colin Young, Buckwheat Zydeco.

Local organizations that regularly partner with the Kate include: