The Rural We: Dean Gray
Stage manager and playwright Dean Gray grew up in Wisconsin and moved to New York City in 1987. He figured he would return to the Midwest, but instead, moved north to Litchfield County, where he found himself involved in the programming at the Merryall Center in New Milford, Connecticut. Here, Gray gives us the backstory to this charming community center that for nearly seven decades played host to luminaries from all over the United States, including Marian Anderson, Eartha Kitt (who had a home in the area), Margaret Mead, Isaac Stern, and others.
In 1987, I was an intern at the Ensemble Studio Theater. I met my partner, who is from Iowa — another Midwesterner — and I did stage managing and playwriting, mostly rural-inspired plays. I always thought that I would be in New York to make connections and learn my profession, then bring it back to the Midwest, but that never happened.
We used to go to the Berkshires and stay at the Race Brook Lodge in Sheffield. We started looking for a country home and in 2019 found a house in the Merryall district of New Milford. I joined the board of the Merryall Center and became the president, and after the interruption of the pandemic, we’re trying to reopen it again.
The history is that in 1951 a group of very successful doctors — weekenders — wanted a community center that would bridge a gap between weekenders and full-time residents. They discovered an old grange hall and 25 families joined together and bought the building. They were very connected; the first event got into the New York Times! Frederic March, the actor, read the Declaration of Independence at the opening.
Singer-songwriter Nick Patrone, who performed at the Merryall Center on June 4.
This group got together a lot — they had family picnics, dog shows, garden clubs, and brought in their music friends. It has a huge, wonderful history, and we want the place to continue, which is a challenge when it’s a volunteer board. We’re funded by some grants and donations. We recently got two large grants, one from Pride in the Hills and a Connecticut Humanities Grant.
We want to provide a place for off-the-beaten-path entertainment. Last week we had Namoli Brennet, a singer-songwriter and trans woman. On July 16 we’re having the Ali Ryerson Jazz Quartet and an opening night reception for an exhibition of Lorraine Ryan’s “Barns & Still Lifes of the Litchfield Hills.” We’re trying to have interesting enough shows, exhibits and talks so that people will come back after one time for our quality, quirky programming.
I found this area because of our need to live in the country again. Now it’s becoming that place where I’m not going to leave. This will be my new artistic home.
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