Northern Stage receives grant from the Vermont Community Foundation to Partner with Area Libraries
Northern Stage recently received a $2,500 grant from the Vermont Community Foundation’s Small and Inspiring Grant program. The grant will help further Northern Stage’s mission of entertaining, challenging, and involving its audience with ambitious productions and expansive educational programming by bringing national and regional talent together on an intimate stage in diverse classic, contemporary, and new plays and musicals.
“This grant allows us to reach into the community in new ways, breaking down the barrier of cost that can prohibit attendance at the theater. We are grateful for the support of the Vermont Community Foundation in making it possible for us to reach into the community in new ways,” commented Irene Green, Director of Sales and Marketing for Northern Stage.
This program is a collaboration between Northern Stage and the Quechee, Hartford, and Wilder Public Libraries. Each library will receive two copies of each of the three plays remaining in Northern Stage’s current season to be put into circulation. Additionally, complimentary ticket vouchers will be available for checkout at these libraries. And Northern Stage will conduct one workshop for each production at the libraries, with the hope of putting the plays in context to enhance the experience for theater patrons. All workshops are free and open to the public. The workshops are as follows:
The Fox on the Fairway – Thursday January 23rd 6-7 PM at Quechee Library
Led by Director Maggie Burrows & Actor Amanda Rafuse
Maggie is a 2010 Yale graduate and up-and-coming star in directing world with recent credits that include Yale Repertory Theater and Public Theater’s Shakespeare in the Park. Amanda Rafuse plays Muriel in this production and also serves as the company’s Development Director. These two will talk about making comedy come alive in the rehearsal process, their interpretation of and vision for the piece, and will host a question and answer period about this comedy involving a rivalry between two country clubs.
Good People – Thursday Feb. 13th 10-11AM at Wilder Library
Led by Director Carol Dunne & Actor Catherine Doherty
In addition to being instrumental to the production of Good People, Carol Dunne serves as Northern Stage’s Artistic Director, and Catherine Doherty, who plays the lead in the production, also acts as Producing Director for the organization. Carol and Catherine will talk about the delights and challenges of mounting a recently published play, the theme of fate vs. free will in the production, the rehearsal process, and will host a question and answer period about this drama by Pulitzer Prize-winning author David Lindsay-Abaire.
The Spitfire Grill – Thursday March 20th 6-7 PM, Hartford Library
Led by Music Director Joel Mercier & Actor Amanda Ryan-Paige
With many credits from Northern Stage, the New London Barn Playhouse, and Dartmouth College, music director Joel Mercier is well poised to discuss musical theater in the Upper Valley. Amanda Ryan-Paige is also a Northern Stage veteran, and has been seen on professional stages around the region. The two will talk about the unique techniques employed in mounting a musical, how the different aspects of the production shape the rehearsal process, what the piece means to them as artists, the role of a music director and actor in creating the production, as well as a discussion of some of the main themes that run through the piece. A question and answer period will conclude this session about a musical that reflects the camaraderie of small-town life.
Through its Small and Inspiring grants program, the Community Foundation hopes to help foster the spark and hope that keeps Vermonters healthy and happy by finding and supporting projects in every town in Vermont where a small grant can make a big difference.