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Over the summer, Stage III, a small proscenium-style theater in the basement of Webster Hall, will undergo repairs and renovations.  

When they are complete, Stage III will be renamed in honor of in the Sargent Conservatory of Theatre Arts.  

The story of the renovations, and the generosity behind the project, starts with a friendship that was formed at Barrington High School in Rhode Island when Dottie met her dear friend Stephen Popiel. The two were on the same debate team and went on to win the Rhode Island State Debate Championship in 1970. 

鈥淗e was one of my closest friends, in addition to being my debate partner and we鈥檝e stayed in touch all these years,鈥� Dottie said. 鈥淚n late 2023, Stephen called me to share that he would be making gift disbursements from his investments. He favored meaningful institutions in our lives, including our Barrington High School forensics program and Brown University, his alma mater. He then asked about donation possibilities to Webster in recognition of my 45 years teaching here. 

鈥淚n May 2024, post our respective 50th college reunions in New England, we met in person to finalize the Webster gift. It鈥檚 really and truly humbling to have someone make that offer, and for it to be so generous.鈥� 

Stephen and Dottie, 1970s

Dottie consulted with Leigh Gerdine College of Fine Arts Dean Paul Steger about projects that were meaningful to her, and ultimately decided to use the funds for Stage III. Having served as a costume design professor at Webster since 1979, Dottie has spent many years in the space. 

鈥淚t's always been the place where there's a lot of improvisation and personal creativity,鈥� she said. 鈥淚t's just a little jewel of a place. It also needs to continue to be that place where you can do unconventional things.鈥� 

Before the Loretto-Hilton Center for Performing Arts opened in 1966, Stage III also served as one of the University鈥檚 main performance spaces.  

鈥淪tage III holds a special place for all students who've trained in Webster's Sargent Conservatory over the years,鈥� Steger said. 鈥淎lumni have a particular reverence for the space. It has been one of the primary rehearsal, classroom and performance venues since Webster was founded in 1915.鈥� 

Notable Webster alumni such as Marsha Mason, BA, 鈥�64, and Norbert Leo Butz, BFA, 鈥�90, have all performed or rehearsed on Stage III.  

鈥淟ittle messages and signatures of a lot of the actors who've gone through the program are in the back there in the dressing rooms, and we would want to be able to preserve that somehow in the next iteration,鈥� Dottie said. 鈥淚t's just good to know that there's a heritage. I hope they feel that it still has the same legacy in it.鈥� 
 
To ensure the theater continues its legacy and serves the needs of current and future Webster students, renovations are in order.

鈥淚t's gone past what I would call 鈥榖lue jean theater鈥� theater,鈥� Dottie said.

The renovations will ensure the theatre is functional and safe. The work will include updated backstage areas, a new stage floor, window treatments, carpeting, booths and storage areas and lighting fixtures. Construction is scheduled to begin within the next two weeks and will last approximately 10-12 weeks. 

鈥淚ts intimate nature will be preserved, but the functionality and warmth of the space will be enhanced,鈥� Steger said. 鈥淪tephen Popiel's gift in honor of Dottie as well as Dottie and Matt Englis鈥檚 own generosity will transform the space and make a major difference in our students' experience.鈥� 

Dottie said she hopes the space better supports the work of all students, whether they are performing or contributing to design and production elements. 

"Student work is the most important thing, and the stage should serve as the right frame for the work to be seen,鈥� Dottie said. 鈥淭hat work is their key to the next step. What they do here, both by virtue of the experience they have, but also by virtue of the portfolio that comes from it are important. The more professional your portfolio looks, the better. 

鈥淚'm really excited and I hope others are, too. I hope they walk in and go, 鈥榊es!鈥欌��