With $2M gift, Clark plans to renovate theater center

Photo | Clark University A rendering of Clark's Michelson Theater and Little Center, which is currently under construction.

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By Katherine Hamilton

Clark University received a $2-million gift, which will go toward restoring its 54-year-old theater and arts center, according to a Thursday announcement on the Worcester university’s website.

The gift was given by Vickie Riccardo, who has been a member of the school’s board of trustees since 2014, and her husband Don Spencer.

Riccardo's $2 million will go toward renovating the lobby, and the area will be renamed the Riccardo & Spencer Lobby in the couple’s honor.

“Don and I are very pleased to support theater arts at Clark University,” Riccardo said in a statement. “Performance builds self-confidence and brings joy to performers and their audience.”

The Little Center and Michelson Theater is located along Charlotte Street and has been central to Clark’s theater arts program, with its black box theater housing numerous student performances every year.

Included in the renovation will be replacement seating in the theater, refurbished office space, upgraded audiovisual and lighting equipment, and modifications to make the building handicapped-accessible.

Construction began this summer and the building will remain closed throughout the 2021-2022 academic year for renovations, per Clark’s website. The project is expected to be completed by next June.

Vickie Riccardo is a former attorney and attended the College of William & Mary in Virginia and Rutgers Law School in New Jersey. She and her husband are from Darien, Conn.

Senior Staff Writer Monica Benevides contributed to this story.