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12/11/2017 11:00 PM

Kidz Konnection Finds a New Home in Clinton


Kidz Konnection Shoreline Theater Academy recently celebrated a ribbon cutting at its new home in the Academy Building in Clinton with the Chamber of Commerce. Here, members of the Kidz Konnection family gather in front of the Academy, which is owned by the First Church of Christ. Photo courtesy of Richard Manley

After more than a decade making the best of a basement location in the Clinton Parkade, Kidz Konnection Shoreline Theater Academy has a bright, new home just up the street at The Academy building now owned by the First Church of Christ. The move will give the theater group more space, so to introduce its new home, Kidz Konnection will host an open house party early next month.

Kidz Konnection director and owner Laura Attanasio said she began looking for a new location about two years ago when it became clear the troupe was outgrowing its space.

“We started with 20 kids in 2006, now we have 100,” Attanasio said. Last February a neighbor called Attanasio to tell her that the First Church of Christ had purchased the Academy Building at 61 East Main Street from the town and was looking to lease it.

“I knew right away it was a perfect place,” Attanasio said.

Attanasio said that the idea for Kidz Konnection began in 2006.

“There wasn’t much theater in the area at the time,” she said. “I had no idea it would turn into a company.”

After three years, Attanasio said she had 45 kids and at that point became a nonprofit. The company produces two main stage shows a year at the Town Hall, but due to the growth of the company, smaller shows have been added for a total of eight shows a year.

“We’re reputable and put on quality programs,” Attanasio said.

Kidz Konnection was voted the Best Community Theater Company in the New Haven Readers Poll of 2017, and has been nominated for Broadway World’s best of regional theater in various categories.

“The last year has been unbelievable,” Attanasio said.

Attanasio said that growth will be well-supported in the troupe’s new home.

In a press release, Attanasio said, “Our mission at Kidz Konnection seemed an almost perfect fit for what the First Church of Christ was hoping to support...We provide youth with education in the performing arts for the purpose of cultivating self-empowerment and leadership skills that will develop strong community-serving leaders of the future.”

“Kidz Konnection is a wonderful and exciting organization and is a perfect fit for the size and location of the building,” church moderator David Rainey stated in the release. “I couldn’t be more pleased to see The Academy brought back to life again.”

Attanasio told the Harbor News that Kidz Konnection is a “complimentary” program to the church.

“The whole mission from the beginning is to create a community, not stars,” Attanasio said. “Kids grow up and become role models.”

As an example of the theater working with the community, Attanasio said that some of the more experienced kids have written and performed a play for veterans.

To celebrate the new space and offset some of the moving costs, Kidz Konnection is hosting a Super Slammin’ Pajama Rama Party on Saturday, Jan. 6, 2018. The party will happen in two sessions—kids from kindergarten to grade 4 are invited from 3 to 6 p.m. and those in grade 5 and up are welcome from 7 to 10 p.m. The party will feature magician Bob Hale and dancing and karaoke with DJ Sam Reed. For more information or for tickets, $30, visit kidzkonnectionct.org or email kidzkonnectionct@gmail.com.