History of The Carol Autorino Center for the Arts and Humanities
Since opening its doors in the spring semester of 2001, The Carol Autorino Center has become one of the busiest facilities on campus. The two new campus buildings, Bruyette Athenaeum and Lynch Hall, have been the setting for an array of academic and cultural events. Bruyette Anthenaeum houses the Hoffman Auditorium, Saint Joseph College Art Gallery, and College Archives. Lynch Hall provides classrooms and faculty offices for the Humanities Division. The event schedule is filled year-round.
The Hoffman Auditorium is now established as one of the most sought after performance venues in the region. The event schedule is filled year-round.
The Hoffman Auditorium hosts many college events, including student performances by the Saint Joseph College Dance Ensemble, Queenes Companye (theatre), and Voices of Praise (Gospel Choir). Several college departments and student groups co-sponsor events with the Center, which is also the site for lectures, seminars, films, poetry readings, conferences such as "Women for the 21st Century," "Scientific Thinking in Children," "Earth Charter Summit," and master classes by artists in residence such as the renowned Jacques d'Amboise.
The annual Performing Arts Series at The Bruyette Athenaeum annually features nationally and internationally recognized artists such as Judy Collins, Little Theatre of the Deaf, Phantom of the Opera Frank D’Ambrosio, George Winston, James Sewell Ballet, Nai-Ni Chen Dance Company, Blackfriars Stage Company, BRNO Chamber Orchestra (Czech Republic), New Zealand String Quartet, Trio Veronezh (Russia), and Cherish the Ladies. Daytime performances for high schools are also presented. The Center has forged co-production relationships with several regional arts groups.
The Hoffman Auditorium has become a new home for Connecticut Theatre Festival, Connecticut Concert Opera, Connecticut Classical Guitar Society, Capital Classics Theatre Company, Ballet Theatre Company, CitiArts Youth Dance Ensemble, Hartford Conservatory, and the Hartford Symphony daytime concert series. Other regional arts groups that have used the Hoffman Auditorium include Connecticut Ballet, Premier Dance Theater, Connecticut Choral Artists (CONCORA), Intermezzo Youth Opera, Hartford Children's Theatre, Hartford Symphony Orchestra Young Artists Competition, and Rarity Concerts.
Events scheduled at The Carol Autorino Center must support the degree programs of the College, enable access to the work of artists and scholars, provide outreach opportunities to the Greater Hartford community, and be in concert with the Mission of Saint Joseph College. Through the new Freshman Seminar program and the syllabi of many courses, faculty members assign their students events at The Center to observe, describe, analyze, interpret, and evaluate.
Organizations choosing The Carol Autorino Center for their professional conferences and meetings have included Connecticut Children's Medical Center, Connecticut Community Care, Connecticut National Guard, Connecticut Council of Teachers of English, the Governor's Office, Research for Ovarian Cancer and Continued Survival, United Way, and World Affairs Council.
The Carol Autorino Center holds memberships in two consortia: New England Presenters, and ConsERT (Consortium of Eastern Regional Theatres). Through its participation in these organizations, Saint Joseph College has become part of a performing arts network of over 150 arts centers and theatres in the northeastern United States. The consortia sponsor and participate in regional and national arts conferences, and have working relationships with major funding sources such as the New England Foundation for the Arts.
In addition to its programs and contact with artists and events, The Carol Autorino Center has established many new employment opportunities for students. The student usher corps organized in 2001 is one of the largest organizations on campus. In addition to ushering, student work-study opportunities include jobs as auditorium technicians, box office attendants, and concession sellers. The Center offers internships in such fields as arts management and performing arts technologies, and independent studies in several arts and arts-related topics.
In the true sense of its being a center for the entire campus and greater community, The Carol Autorino Center serves as both support and catalyst for college programs. The new Center's expanding role in Saint Joseph College life has embraced the essential role played by the arts in supporting and linking all curricula, and in offering the transformative experiences that are a hallmark of college education.
