The Modern Theatre Awakens from Slumber

Suffolk University’s search for increased classroom and dormitory space has led to the Modern Theatre, the last of three theatres on lower Washington Street in need of a savior. The nearby Paramount Theatre is currently being renovated by Emerson College and the adjacent Opera House reopened in 2004 to house Broadway touring productions.

Suffolk’s proposed plan for the space will retain the historic marble and sandstone façade, creating a ground floor performance space with a dormitory above that will connect to the new dorm at 10 West Street.
“This is a momentous opportunity to raise Suffolk’s profile in the Boston theatre community by creating a state-of-the-art facility while contributing to the revitalization of lower Washington Street,” says Professor Marilyn Plotkins, chair of the Theatre Department.

The Modern Theatre, built as a furniture store in 1876, became Boston’s first movie house in 1913 and 15 years later the first theatre in the city wired for sound. After a brief stint screening adult films in the 70s, an attempt to restore the space into a performing arts center eventually failed in the early 80s. The Modern has remained vacant and in increasing need of repair for the last 20 years.

“The project fulfills an academic need of the University,” says John Nucci, vice president for external affairs, “and also restores an important part of Boston’s history.”

The Modern Theatre project, part of the University’s Institutional Master Plan, has been very well received by the community, particularly Mayor Thomas M. Menino, whose administration has pushed for the preservation of Boston’s historic theatres. And with the addition of the Modern, the University will be halfway to its goal of housing 50% of its undergraduate students.

“The Modern Theatre and West Street Dorm complex promises to be one of the most attractive and exciting areas of the University and the neighborhood,” says Nucci.

From Alumni Relations

Dear Alumni,

It is with tremendous pride that I joined the Alumni Office as the director of alumni relations for the College of Arts and Sciences this past year. The opportunity to “come home” to represent Suffolk University as a CAS alumna and partner with Dean Kenneth Greenberg, the talented faculty in the College, and dedicated career services and admissions directors as we engage alumni and share the College’s substantial growth in recent years, has been both personally and professionally rewarding.

Laura Piscopo BA'02, Director of Alumni Relations for the College of Arts & Sciences

This year the University’s Alumni Association launched a campaign to support alumni in their personal and professional networking by promoting the Alumni On-Line Community and Career Advisory Network. What a marvelous opportunity to reconnect with your friends from the Rathskellars in the cafeteria, the study groups in the lower levels of the Sawyer Library, your dorm friends from Miller Hall or 150 Tremont Street, or the friends you met before classes at Capital Coffee or afterwards at the timeless Red Hat. This valuable online resource is also a fun, effective way to learn from the wisdom and experience of top professionals in your industry.

One of the most exciting initiatives to develop this year included the celebration of the 25th Reunion during the Alumni Weekend program in June. As the Class of ’83 Reunion Committee, led by Steve Skiffington BS’83 and class president Ann Harrington BS’83 met to connect with lost classmates, they rekindled friendships and became re-engaged in a university that had grown physically and academically.

I have enjoyed collaborating with these alumni around Reunion, and also meeting or reconnecting with alumni through programs such as the popular Third Thursday Networking Nights. I encourage you to attend these events and invite you to tour the modern campus. The beautiful, new high-definition TV Studio at the Rosalie K. Stahl Center at 73 Tremont is a stunning addition and should not be missed.

As we embrace the fall in New England, the Suffolk University Alumni Association will continue to offer social and professional programming across the local and national Alumni Chapters. Please continue to view the program listings on the Alumni Association website.

I look forward to seeing you this fall.

Laura M. Piscopo BA’02
 lpiscopo at suffolk.edu