About the Kate

About the Kate

The Katharine Hepburn Cultural Arts Center is a non-profit performing arts organization located in an historic theatre/town hall on Main Street in Old Saybrook. Originally opened in 1911, the building is now listed on the National Register of Historic Places. After state-of-the art renovations, the center includes a 285-seat theatre that presents work in several genres including music, theater, opera, dance, comedy, film, and a variety of children’s programming. The Katharine Hepburn Museum, is located on the first floor, is the only museum of its kind honoring Katharine Hepburn, Old Saybrook’s most celebrated resident. Exhibits feature costume and personal wardrobe items, photographs, home movies, awards, and other memorabilia.

Our mission:

The Katharine Hepburn Cultural Arts Center exists to present a diverse repertoire of cultural and performing arts, to provide educational opportunities in the arts, and to be a lasting legacy for America’s iconic actress.

You can’t change the music of your soul.

Katharine Hepburn

Inclusion As A Core Value

@ the Katharine Hepburn Cultural Arts Center

• We welcome and engage patrons, members, sponsors, volunteers, and staff of diverse backgrounds, treating them with respect and integrity.
• We embrace all that makes our constituents unique and strive to be inclusive on the basis of our unique differences, both physical and ideological.

Theater Rentals & Usage

Whether you’re looking to host a musical event on our stage or host a small reception on our tented patio, we’d love to talk with you about your special event. Dates and spaces are limited due to the Kate’s own programming.

Venue Technical Specifications

The Kate is a professional 285-seat theater with some of the best equipment in the industry today. Here you can find all of the technical specifications of our theater stage, technicians booth, and equipment list.

The Kate on TV

Produced by Connecticut Public, this national music series premiered in 2016 and to date has filmed six seasons. Filmed live at our 285-seat theater, this music series was a hit across the country.

Contact Us

The Kate wants to hear from you! Whether it’s a question about an upcoming performance, a suggestion for a show, or just to let us know about your experience, feel free to contact us anytime.

Get in Touch

The Kate’s Sponsors

  • Pasta Vita
  • Gowrie Group
  • Saybrook Point Resort & Marina
  • CT Humanities, CT Cultural Fund
  • Sennheiser
  • Coburn Financial Group, a financial advisory practice of Ameriprise Financial Services, LLC
  • Damon Wealth Management Group, Ameriprise Private Wealth Advisory Practice