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From lavish Broadway productions to community theater, New England has always been a congenial, if critical, home for people of the stage.   

These sites reflect the wide of array of theatre productions available in New England throughout the year.  We have tried to exclude pages that have not been updated for the current season.   Most sites provide ticket and reservation information and some sell seats online.

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Founded in 1964 but with roots back to the 50s, the Nutmeg Players, Inc. is one of Connecticut's oldest community theatre groups.   Presenting productions from Clinton, the group also hosts a New Play Contest, held in the fall. 

THEATRE NEWINGTON-OnStage is a non-profit, community theatre group, founded in 1962. Two productions are presented yearly, in the Fall and Spring . Currently the group performs at the Elmwood Community Center, in West Hartford, Connectucut. The site includes audition notices, current productions and a good outline of who they are and what they hope to achieve.

The Un-Common Theatre Company, founded in 1980 in Mansfield, Massachusetts, is one of the few theatre companies in New England devoted entirely to children's theatre.  They assist and nurture aspiring actors, singers, musicians, and technicians with an opportunity to work in a professional environment on and behind the stage.   The site includes audition notices, volunteer opportunities and information on upcoming shows and events.

The BrickRoad Dinner Theater is a Traveling Dinner Theater Company based in Chicopee, Massachusetts. Matt Zawisza is the somewhat less that modest Artistic Director and Owner but he appears to have a substantial record to boast about.  While we not seen a production from the BrickRoad, the site seems to tell all and it does look like fun.

Break A Leg Productions is a Youth Theatre Program for Ages 8 to 18 at the Pomfret School in Pomfret, Connecticut.  Break A Leg's mission is to offer excellent, accessible musical theatre opportunities for youths in northeastern Connecticut and its surrounding areas.
It strives to instill a high level of professional standards in its students in an environment that stresses learning, teamwork, communication and a sense of pride that comes with accomplishment. 

TheatreLives is about the Musical Theatre in New England with an emphasis on the people who work on and behind the stage.  It features Bio's, Credits, news on current shows, Photographs and events for Actors and Actresses; Stage Managers, Crew, and others involved in Musical Theatre in New England.  They also feature unabashed fans the opportunity to sing the praises of a particular show or performer and they welcome reviews. 

The Intentional Theatre of Southeastern Connecticut is a new site and service devoted to helping actors, playwrights and directors hone their skills in a new, experimental workshop environment.   

Founded in 1974, The Peacock Players of Nashua, New Hampshire is a non-profit devoted to  providing the best in children's theatre.  Founded by Rita Harden, they offer classes for children, beginning at age five, and have a full schedule of productions that will be of interest to experienced theatre-goers and their younger compatriots.  

Connecticut

Founded in 1964 but with roots back to the 50s, the Nutmeg Players, Inc. is one of Connecticut's oldest community theatre groups.   Presenting productions from Clinton, the group also hosts a New Play Contest, held in the fall. 

THEATRE NEWINGTON-OnStage is a non-profit, community theatre group, founded in 1962. Two productions are presented yearly, in the Fall and Spring . Currently the group performs at the Elmwood Community Center, in West Hartford, Connectucut. The site includes audition notices, current productions and a good outline of who they are and what they hope to achieve.

Break A Leg Productions is a Youth Theatre Program for Ages 8 to 18 at the Pomfret School in Pomfret, Connecticut.  Break A Leg's mission is to offer excellent, accessible musical theatre opportunities for youths in northeastern Connecticut and its surrounding areas.
It strives to instill a high level of professional standards in its students in an environment that stresses learning, teamwork, communication and a sense of pride that comes with accomplishment. 

TheatreLives is about the Musical Theatre in New England with an emphasis on the people who work on and behind the stage.  It features Bio's, Credits, news on current shows, Photographs and events for Actors and Actresses; Stage Managers, Crew, and others involved in Musical Theatre in New England.  They also feature unabashed fans the opportunity to sing the praises of a particular show or performer and they welcome reviews. 

Underdog Productions is a Connecticut company with a particular bent to, as one would expect from a theatrical outfit, for theatrics.  Of note is their production of The Rocky Horror Picture Show for the stage.  Having not seen the production we can not speculate on the performance but judging from the site, they seems to have all the advantages and liabilities of the film, but with a far more attractive cast. 

Shakespeare Ventures, under the leadership of Lynne Porter, Artistic Director, offers engaging series of acting workshops at Fairfield University in Fairfield for young actors and performers.  Taught by professional actors, directors and teachers during the summer, the workshops culminate in an "informance" at the PepsiCo theatre on the university campus.  The site includes a straight forward mission statement, goals and registration information. 

Mastermind Productions is a non-profit in Simsbury, working as a community-based theatre organization dedicated to providing quality entertainment to a diverse audience while raising funds for a variety of local charities.  All proceeds benefit other non-profits in the state.  

Bridgeport Free Shakespeare is an interesting program that offers the Bard's works for the people of the Bridgeport, Connecticut area every summer at the Beardsley Zoo park. Put on by Dandelion Productions presents, a non profit production company, and funded by the City and many corporate sponsors, last summer they staged seven free performances of  Shakespeare's  "Much Ado About Nothing", at the park and under the stars. As the name suggests, tickets are free but as we all know, Shakespeare is priceless.  The site includes background on how and why they started and ways to help.

The Chelsea Players-a part of the Norwich arts scene since 1983.  Although popular titles have graced our stages, we tend to seek the plays that are out of the mainstream and capture a different glance of life. They usually meet on the last Monday of each month at 7p.m. at the United Congregational Church Fellowship Hall.

New England Academy of Theatre (NEAT) is a non-profit organization that offers courses and seminars for all levels of performers; from the newly curious to seasoned professionals.  They also help students hone their communication skills and as a production company, they present plays, original works, readings and other theatrical events in Connecticut.  Among the courses offered are Stage and Screen Makeup Basics, Stage Directing and Introduction to Stage Management.

From Waterbury, Shakesperience Productions, Inc., (SPI) is dedicated to bringing literature to life on stage and in the classroom.   Since the non profit was founded in 1998, it has performed before over 55,000 elementary and high school students in Connecticut and elsewhere in New England.   Among its productions include an original 5-actor adaptation of A Midsummer Night's Dream for middle and high school students and many other classics from literature.   Listed in the Directory of Performing Artists of the Connecticut Commission on the Arts, they seek to engage audiences "naturally" in literary discussions, to develop understanding mutual and self-respect in young people.

Nutmeg Actors Repertory Theatre is a new group in Shelton, CT although the founders are highly experienced in regional theatre.  Their goal is to stage important works and provide an avenue for talented "theatre people" to expand and enhance their craft.

Actors' Ensemble, previously The Renaissance Theater Company, has provided quality theater and employment opportunities for artists and technicians in Connecticut for years.   They perform in Branford under the artistic direction of Dana Sachs.   This attractive site has the latest on upcoming performances.   

Inappropriate Behavior is a six member, professional improvisational comedy troupe from Greenwich, CT.  Performing regularity at many of the area's leading theatrical venues, they are also available for corporate functions, birthdays, weddings and divorces.  The site includes reviews, snippets on cast members and the dates for upcoming performances.

Hartford Stage

Garde Arts Center, has a busy, year-round schedule at its grand, restored theatre in downtown New London

The River Rep at the Ivoryton Playhouse

The Music Theatre of Connecticut holds classes and shows in the state.

THE NATIONAL THEATRE OF THE DEAF  moved to Hartford from Chester, Connecticut in 2000 but they perform nationally and world-wide throughout the year.  The extensive schedule, easily searched at the site, includes performances for the Little Theatre of the Deaf group for children.  As they say, "you see and hear every word."

Goodspeed Musicals, on the Connecticut River in East Haddam, has been a  centerpiece for the region since 1963. Staging three productions from April to December the site includes upcoming shows, ticket information and purchasing.   The theatre itself offers a grand river view of the Connecticut River that is free and open all year.   

Algonkuin Theatre Company, Hamden

THE SHUBERT PERFORMING ARTS CENTER New Haven

The Bushnell, in Hartford has one of the regions finest sound systems, enhanced by the extraordinary acoustics of the hall itself.   

 
Downstairs Production Company, Stafford

Eugene O'Neill Theater Center-National Theatre Institute, in Waterford is a frequent home to innovative stage productions and conferences.  The waterfront grounds-overlooking Long Island Sound-are spectacular.  

Montage Productions works out of the Church of the Good
Shepherd-Colt Memorial Ballroom- in Hartford but began slowly in 1997 with conversations about improving Connecticut's music theater scene.  The talk blossomed into becoming a key element in the state's live theatre offerings with the goal producing professional community entertainment, full scale stage productions, vocal ensemble and solo work, touring shows, and customized private parties.  The site includes past seasons, current productions, ticket information, audition notices and cast photographs. 

 
THE HOLE IN THE WALL COMPANY New Britain

Mark Twain Masquers, Hartford
Music Theatre of Connecticut, Westport
Oddfellows Playhouse, Middletown
The Ridgefield Theatre Barn
Stamford Theatre Works
TheatreMania, West Haven.
TheatreWorks New Milford
Town Players of Newtown A "small wonder" since 1935; the company has grown into a key provider of quality productions and stage innovations.  Click the site for the latest.
Secret Theatre, does a remarkable job staging innovative productions in Downtown New London.

The Intentional Theatre of Southeastern Connecticut is a new site and service devoted to helping actors, playwrights and directors hone their skills in a new, experimental workshop environment.   

Maine

The Public Theatre, of downtown Lewiston
Maine State Music Theatre, Brunswick
Oak Street Theatre, Portland 
The Theater At Monmouth
Maine Shakespeare Festival 

Sanford Maine Stage Company in Springvale has an ambitious, year-round season with a bent towards modern American musicals and drama.  The site includes the upcoming season, their Children's Theatre program, directions and ticketing information.

Mad Horse Theatre, Portland

The Portland Opera Repertory Theatre holds a summer festival that includes a Young Artists Program. 

Massachusetts

The UMASS Theatre Guild is, as one would expect, at the University of Massachusetts campus in Amherst, Massachusetts.   They stage two productions yearly and welcome everyone in the Five College community to help produce, entertain, learn or share their theatrical skills and enthusiasm.

The Un-Common Theatre Company, founded in 1980 in Mansfield, Massachusetts, is one of the few theatre companies in New England devoted entirely to children's theatre.  They assist and nurture aspiring actors, singers, musicians, and technicians with an opportunity to work in a professional environment on and behind the stage.   The site includes audition notices, volunteer opportunities and information on upcoming shows and events.

Your Theatre, has been entertaining people in New Bedford, Massachusetts with live theatre since 1946.  As a community theatre, the non-profit, entirely volunteer organization produces between four to seven shows each season and helps to encourage students to pursue studies in the arts with an annual scholarship program.  The site recounts recent productions, notes upcoming shows and ways to become involved in New Bedford's life on the stage.

The Eastern Massachusetts Association of Community Theatres from Burlington, is a volunteer organization that works to assist and support the sizeable number of community theatres in the region.  They hold an Annual Drama Festival each spring where groups stage productions for review, sponsor inactions with theatre professionals and is forming a Youth Theatre program to encourage theatrical interests among the area's young people.   They publish a monthly newsletter for members to trade ideas and the site includes board contacts and upcoming events.  Membership is open to entire groups of individuals and dues are exceedingly reasonable.

The Gazebo Players of Medfield, Massachusetts is a nonprofit community based group that seeks to combine entertainment and creative expressions in an collaborative atmosphere that enhances all segments of the Medfield community.   The site include news on upcoming productions, workshop offerings and contact information.

Since 1923 the Zeiterion Theatre has served as an important performing arts center for the south shore communities near New Bedford, Massachusetts.  They present top-flight entertainment, composed of national and international companies and performers, with an emphasis on education.  Over half of their schedule is devoted to participatory efforts, involving thousands of students and teachers yearly.  The theatre's history is a fine example of a community refusing to "knock down paradise to put up a parking lot."

Colonial Chorus Players in Reading, MA has been entertaining the community since 1962.  A non profit theatre group, membership is open to anyone and they make a special effort to include children and teenagers in the productions.  Entire families are especially welcome to join, since the skills required for a performance range from song and dance on center stage to backroom ticket sales and clean up-just like most families. 

New Repertory Theater is an exciting professional company just outside Boston.   

BERKSHIRE LYRIC THEATRE

Algonkuin Small Theatre Network Bringing Actors & Small Theatres together since 1993.  From Bellingham, MA they concentrate their efforts on Connecticut, Massachusetts and surrounding area but are a great source for seeing what is on New England's smaller stages.  Despite some unnerving pop ups, it is a fun site with good information and great links, including us.

American Repertory Theatre, Cambridge

Barre Players, Barre
Barrington Stage Company, Sheffield
Berkshire Theatre Festival, Stockbridge
Boston Baked Theatre

Cape Playhouse, Dennis

The CENTRAL MASS REPERTORY THEATRE, Leominster

Concord Players
Emerson Majestic Theatre, Boston
The Footlight Club, Jamaica Plain-America's oldest community theatre.
Franklin Performing Arts Company, Franklin
The Hampshire Shakespeare Company
Hasty Pudding Theatricals
Huntington Theatre Company, Boston University 
Industrial Theatre, Harvard Campus
Lexington Players, Lexington
The MIT Community Players

Mugford Street Players in Marblehead is an unorganized, yet highly profession theatre company that has been entertaining and stimulating the cerebral cavity from the Unitarian-Universalist Church in Marblehead-and elsewhere we are told-for more than forty years.  Interesting site and refreshingly simple.  Check the upcoming performances for the latest.  

New Players Theatre Guild, Fitchburg
Orpheum Theatre, Foxborough

The Theatre Cooperative, founded in 1997, is a community of theatre artists which operates as a professional (non-union), not-for-profit resident company upstairs at the Elizabeth Peabody House in Somerville, MA.  The Coop works with members, independent performers and artisans to provide a fresh alternative to the often expensive and commercial downtown theatre scene.    Whenever possible they focus on local issues and local artists.

Pen, Paint, & Pretzels Tufts' student theatre
Robsham Theater Arts Center, Boston College 

For more than ten years The Súgán Theatre Company has been staging Irish and Celtic for audiences in Boston including the works by Samuel Beckett, Brian Friel, Frank, WB Yeats and many other fine but lesser known playwrights.  They also help to support the works of new writers and theatrical talent in the community and for the last four year the company has been a resident company of the Boston Center for the Arts.

We learned from the site that Súgán (pronounced Sue Gone) means a
rope made of straw and also refers to a type of chair in which the
seat is made of this rope.  The first play of the Irish literary revival at the beginning of the last century was Douglas Hyde's Casadh an tSúgáin is translated as "The Twisting of the Rope". 

Turtle Lane Playhouse, Newton
THE VINEYARD PLAYHOUSE, Vineyard Haven
Vokes Players Inc, Wayland