Speaker Carl Heastie visited the Schenectady Light Opera Company (SLOC) alongside Assemblymember Angelo Santabarbara to announce $2.5 million in funding aimed at improving accessibility for people with disabilities at the theatre.
“I was honored to be able to tour the SLOC today and see their dedication to making the theatre experience accessible and approachable to individuals of all abilities,” said Speaker Heastie. “Lowering barriers to access the arts is critical to making our communities brighter and I’m grateful for the work this company is doing to help their neighbors.”
Assemblymember Santabarbara highlighted SLOC’s longstanding role in the community, stating, “The SLOC has been a bright spot in our community for over a century with generations of families getting the opportunity to see performances right in their own backyard. Now, the company is working to ensure that people of all abilities – including performers and audience members – have access to their incredible programming. I know how critical this access is to families across our community and will continue working with them to ensure they have the resources to make this happen.”
During their visit, Speaker Heastie and Assemblymember Santabarbara met with SLOC President John Meglino. They toured the facility and discussed ongoing efforts by SLOC to broaden its reach, particularly among individuals with disabilities.
Founded in 1926, SLOC has provided musical theatre performances throughout New York’s Capitol Region, offering opportunities for both audiences and participants. In 2010, SLOC acquired buildings in Schenectady’s developing arts district as part of an effort to establish a permanent home that could accommodate people with disabilities. The newly announced funding will support further improvements aimed at ensuring accessibility for all performers and audience members.
