Sacred Heart University’s new director of development for the SHU Community Theatre, Laurel Lea, has a big role to fill and years of success to guide her. 

Lea, a Redding resident, has developed expertise to handle the challenges ahead of her, such as building and guiding a philanthropic plan for the SHU Community Theatre and developing sponsorship and membership packages to promote the theatre’s world-class performances and events. She also will help the theatre meet fundraising goals and publicize the theatre’s mission and offerings among the business and arts communities. 

“I am thrilled to join the Sacred Heart University Community Theatre and lead its development and corporate and community engagement efforts,” Lea said. “The addition of our theatre establishes downtown Fairfield as a true cultural district. To collaborate with the immensely talented performing arts staff at the theatre, as well as the extraordinary team of gifted individuals at Sacred Heart University advancement, is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. 

“Our 100-year-old, beautifully restored theatre is much beloved by the community, and I am honored to help move it forward to fulfill our mission of entertainment and education,” she said. 

Located in the heart of downtown Fairfield, the SHU Community Theatre pairs entertainment and education in a fully reimagined, historic, 400-seat venue. From live concerts and theatrical performances to film screenings, author talks and hands-on learning activities, the theatre is a cornerstone of cultural enrichment for audiences of all ages and backgrounds. 

Lea joins SHU with nearly two decades of experience in the nonprofit industry. She served as manager of sponsorship and development at Ridgefield Playhouse, a 500-seat regional performing-arts venue, and director of development at Norwalk’s Wall Street Theater, a 700-seat facility. She was responsible for raising funds, arranging sponsorships and show underwriting, donor engagement and community relations. She also co-founded and expanded the Lewisboro Land Trust, where she led and supported numerous grassroot efforts in fundraising and awareness. Her efforts resulted in the Leon Levy Preserve, for which she raised $5.5 million from private donors and had a key role in developing financial strategies that resulted in an additional $3.3 million in funding. 

In addition to nonprofit development, Lea has experience as a licensed real estate agent who represented high-profile and ultra-high-net-worth individuals from the worlds of art, entertainment, finance and government. 

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