Art lovers gathered at the former home of the Shakespeare Theatre in Stratford to pay their respects and share memories Saturday.

Hundreds turned out to the theater's grounds. The theater burned to the ground nearly a week ago.

The theater essentially sat vacant since the 1980s, but still had a profound impact on those who visited it for music, song and dance.

Stratford resident Ed Goodrich organized the vigil that started at the Shakespeare Garden and continued to the venue's site.

Many attendees hope the former site of the theater can turn into an arts center or another theater in the future.

"Maybe this is what needed to happen to get people excited about it again and to do something about it," says Maryann Lichtenberger, of Stratford.

District Councilman Christopher Pia agrees with the sentiment, and hopes for something new in the space.

"The town wants to work together to put this on the map again and commit this land to the performing arts and entertainment, that's what it truly should be," says Pia.

In a press release, Stratford Mayor Laura Hoydick says she will assemble an advisory committee comprised of town residents to get their input on what should be done with the space.