2018 -- H 7768

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LC005044

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2018

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H O U S E   R E S O L U T I O N

HONORING THE SANDRA FEINSTEIN - GAMM THEATRE AND WISHING THEM WELL

ON THEIR MOVE TO JEFFERSON BOULEVARD IN WARWICK, RHODE ISLAND

     Introduced By: Representatives McNamara, Shekarchi, Shanley, Solomon, and Vella-
Wilkinson

     Date Introduced: February 28, 2018

     Referred To: House Municipal Government

     WHEREAS, The award-winning Sandra Feinstein-Gamm Theatre (known widely as

"The Gamm") was originally founded in 1984 by seven graduates of Trinity Rep Conservatory.

They called themselves "Alias Stage" and performed as an artistic group in the Riverside Mills in

the Olneyville neighborhood in Providence; and

     WHEREAS, The company moved to Atlantic Mills in 1989 after their original home was

destroyed by fire, and in 1994, after receiving backing from a newly formed Board of Directors,

they relocated to a space in the Jewelry District in Providence and developed a sterling and

widespread reputation for the richness of the plays they produced, especially their Shakespeare

productions, and the high-quality acting performances their plays showcased; and

     WHEREAS, In 1998, Alias Stage was renamed the Sandra Feinstein-Gamm Theatre after

receiving a gift from the Feinstein Family Trust. Attendance tripled in response to the splendid

and affordable entertainment being offered to the community and, as a result, The Gamm outgrew

its 75 seat facility and needed a new home; and

     WHEREAS, In 2005, "The Gamm" re-opened in a 135 seat theater within the Pawtucket

National Guard Armory. Thanks in large part to the outstanding innovation and creativity fostered

by Artistic Director Tony Estrella, the skillful leadership provided by Managing Director Oliver

Dow, and with the support of numerous administrative staff, benefactors, and many talented

actors and creative personnel, The Sandra Feinstein-Gamm Theatre has received many awards

over the years in honor of its outstanding productions. The Gamm was awarded the 2008 Elliot

Norton Award for Outstanding New Script for "Radio Free Enterprise", the 2009 Elliot Norton

Award for Outstanding Performance by a Small Company for "Awake and Sing" and the 2010

Elliot Norton Award Special Citation stating that "The Gamm has firmly established itself as a

theatrical jewel in our region"; and

     WHEREAS, Within the artistic community, The Gamm's reputation as being one of the

finest small theater companies in the region is widespread. The Boston Globe has written about

The Gamm that with its "Versatility, vision, and willingness to challenge audiences, The Gamm

has emerged as one of the most dynamic theater companies in New England"; now, therefore be it

     RESOLVED, That this House of Representatives of the State of Rhode Island and

Providence Plantations hereby honors the Sandra Feinstein-Gamm Theatre, for its more than

thirty years of artistic excellences, and wishes them well on their move to Jefferson Boulevard in

Warwick, for the 2018-2019 season; and be it further

     RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and hereby is authorized and directed to

transmit a duly certified copy of this resolution to Mr. Tony Estrella, Artistic Director, Sandra

Feinstein-Gamm Theatre.

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