Hudson Valley and Catholic Central School to host Maureen Stapleton Symposium

March 4, 2024

Hudson Valley Community College is partnering with Catholic Central School to host a celebration honoring the cinematic legacy of Maureen Stapleton from Catholic Central’s Class of 1942. The Pre-Oscar event, also a part of Catholic Central School’s Centennial Year, will be held on Saturday, March 9 at 2 p.m. in the Maureen Stapleton Theatre on the campus of Hudson Valley Community College.

Hosted by Emmy-winning film critic and 2016 Catholic Central graduate Jackson Murphy, the program will start off with a welcome by Hudson Valley Professor Rosanne Raneri and will include a short documentary from Maureen’s son, Daniel Allentuck, along with clips from her esteemed career which spanned over 50 years. Additional contributors include Russell Sage College Theatre Professor David Baecker, Maureen Stapleton historian William G. Carey Jr. and Executive Director of the Hart-Cluett Museum, Kathryn Knothe Sheehan (Class of 1973). Lobby displays will highlight the actress's career and will feature items from her work on Broadway, Hollywood and television. A panel interview will provide insights into Maureen’s artistic process, her friendship and symbiotic relationship with Tennessee Williams and her lasting impact on American theater and film.

“Hudson Valley Community College is excited to partner with Catholic Central School to hold this event in honor of Maureen Stapleton, their alumna and the namesake of Hudson Valley’s Maureen Stapleton Theatre,” said President Roger Ramsammy. “I hope our community enjoys this special event to pay tribute to Maureen’s career and incredible talent.”

Richard Harrigan, co-principal of Catholic Central School, shares his excitement over the event. “We are honored to be hosting this symposium in collaboration with Hudson Valley Community College and the Hart-Cluett Museum. This is a unique opportunity to showcase one of our amazing alumni whose contributions to the entertainment world have resonated across the globe.”

This past November, Maureen posthumously received the Catholic Central Monsignor Burns Award, which recognizes individuals whose lives and actions reflect the school’s values of personal moral development, commitment to community and service to others.

"We are thrilled to present this program that celebrates Maureen,” remarks Harrigan. “The relationship with her hometown of Troy influenced her life and career and we are looking forward to sharing her enduring influence in such an interactive and collaborative fashion.”

Tickets for the event are free. Due to limited seating, pre-registration is highly encouraged and is available on the Catholic Central School website.