This month Beyond Broadway explores two theatre companies in New Hampshire that provide theatre to their communities in unique ways. Richard Waterhouse and Doug Shapiro share their experiences working at Shaker Bridge Theatre and The Barnstormers, respectively.
Shaker Bridge Theatre
I was taken by the quaint and sleepy town of Enfield, located in New Hampshire, near the Vermont border. In addition to exploring theatre outside of New York City, taking a jaunt to New England to support my friend’s show, Love Alone, was perfect timing. Shaker Bridge Theatre celebrates 10 years of theatre. Their goal is to “expand the boundaries of theatre in the Upper Valley and Lakes region of New Hampshire by presenting work that is contemporary, compelling and innovative.
Richard Waterhouse, director of Love Alone, shares with the history of the company and how he came to them.
Malini: Shaker Bridge’s mission is centered on contemporary and provocative work. How did you decide on Love Alone and the other shows this season?
Richard: Bill Coons is the Artistic Director of Shaker Bridge and he’s been the sole director for nine years with only one or two exceptions, directing 5 shows per season. He has been doing this himself until this year when he hired two guest directors, myself and Susan Haefner, who will direct the next show, ‘4000 Miles’. So I can really only speak for this production of ‘Love Alone’, as it’s my first time working for Shaker Bridge. When I read ‘Love Alone’, I was immediately moved by it and it had all of the qualities I was looking for – a cast of five or six actors (or less), the opportunity for racial diversity within the cast, one gay storyline, and a compelling family drama. I fell for it right away!
Malini: Who makes up your audience?
Richard: I believe the audiences here are primarily working, middle and upper middle-class white folks. There’s a high rate of education in the Upper Valley so they really seem to appreciate intelligent and even “intellectual” theater.
Malini: Does Shaker Bridge or their artists produce original work?
Richard: Shaker Bridge doesn’t produce original work, that I know of, but I have directed a few original pieces. One of our ‘Love Alone’ cast members, Mike Backman, wrote an original piece titled, ‘Sunset’, based on his mission experience as a young Mormon man discovering his sexuality. It’s very good and I have directed a staged reading of that for him.
Richard created a beautiful production which I reviewed. You can read it here.
The Barnstormers
As I was exploring the state and its theatres, I came across The Barnstormers in Tamworth which is located close to the Maine border. Their mission is “to keep vital the value, spirit, and tradition of fine summer theatre in Tamworth and to provide a venue for and to promote varied cultural activities within the region.”
Doug Shapiro, friend, actor and career coach, shares why he has been spent 16 summers working with this theatre.
Malini: The Barnstormers is the one of the longest-running living theatre in the United States with a rich history. What is their impact on their community?
Doug: The Barnstormers is an integral part of the Tamworth, NH community as it was founded by Francis Cleveland, the son of President Grover Cleveland. A few of his descendants remain in town. Having been around for over 80 years, there are several generations who all grew up attending the theater and love to see the same shows on a regular basis: Toad of Toad Hall, Ghost Train, Our Town, and ANYTHING Agatha Christie (swearing and sex are frowned upon, but murder is delightful). We’ve actually joked about putting the name Agatha Christie before every show to see if it brings in the ticket sales: Agatha Christie’s Full Monty, Agatha Christie’s Importance of Being Earnest, Agatha Christie’s Ubu Roi. The Barnstormers used to literally “storm barns” and bring the same show all over the state. When I started 16 years ago, they did one-week stock and held it as a badge of honor. With the demand for larger, more contemporary shows, we have gradually moved to a longer rehearsal process and this year will be the first with only five shows, each with 3-week contracts for the actors. As far as impact, the theatre is used by other community organizations throughout the year and there is a common perception that summer officially begins as soon as the first crew or cast member is seen walking down the street.
Malini: I love Agatha Christie. She does sell tickets. Who are their performers and their audience?
Doug: I dearly miss Dan Rubinate. He brought me in from my first audition and by the time he passed away he had been a company member for over 50 years. Several members of the acting company have been returning for over 25 years. Couples have met there and stayed to live in the area. There is a smattering of actors from Boston; some younger long-time members from New York City. Most of our non-union actors from Boston Conservatory and crew members are from New England universities. The audience consist almost exclusively of locals within 15-20 miles of the theatre and those who return every year to summer in the town.
Malini: Do they develop and/or produce original plays?
Doug: New works? Nope. The Artistic Director, Bob Shea, also runs the New Art Theatre during the year and they’re slightly more inclined to foster new works with a literary bent, though I have yet to hear of a full production.
Malini: Why do you continue to create there as an actor for 16 years?
Doug: As an actor and human, I’m guided by love and influence. I truly love everyone in town and receive a good deal of love from them as well. And, as an NYC actor who can audition for the same person three times in an week and not be recognized, at The Barnstormers people will find out what shows I’m in so they can be sure to go. That is a blessing (and a responsibility) I do not take for granted. The people in town are just the right blend of rustic, liberal and wise. The artistic staff has become my family and…most importantly…the breakfast. Rosie’s Restaurant for breakfast. I love breakfast. I love breakfast at Rosie’s. Three words: grilled. cinnamon. bun. This may encapsulate why I love the place in a nutshell: The son of that restaurant owner (who used to be an usher at the theater), is marrying one of the waitresses. I’m performing the ceremony. And the restaurant staff now attends the shows.
Thank you, Doug!
So if you are in New Hampshire and need theatre, visit these theatre’s websites for schedule as well as the New Hampshire website. Live Free!
Want More? Follow me on Twitter @malinism