October 1997
Theatre Evolves with UMass Boston Ties
One wouldn't know it just from looking at the names of steering committee members for the new Peabody House Theatre in Somerville. But anyone with connections to the theatre arts department might just recognize that eight of the nine members are UMass Boston theatre arts students, former students or alums.
As Brendan Hughes, former theatre arts student and producing director of the Peabody House Theatre tells it, Peabody House is the latest incarnation in a long line of theater companies. Prior to becoming the Peabody House Theatre in August, it was the New Broadway Theater.
Over the summer, Hughes and others brought in friends and colleagues from the Headless Theatre Company and cast members from last year's UMass Boston production of "Small Victories." Together, they came up with the idea of a theatre company cooperative, a place where actors, set builders, directors and audience members would collaborate to create a community through theatre.
"It isn't community theatre exactly," says Hughes. "But our focus is on the community of Somerville and the artists who live in this area. So we are working on the idea of having "community" built-in -- anyone who wants to be involved, can." Right now, Peabody Theatre Coop is getting by on the dedication of its members, support from families and friends, and a small number of subscribers.
Their debut season offers an eclectic and ambitious selection of six plays, including two world premieres -- Clive Barker's Dread and OBIE-winner Ed Bullins' Dr. Geechee and the Blood Junkies.
Other members with UMass Boston ties include technical director Rich Archer, artistic director Dave Dowling, house/box office director Kevin Gillespie, literary director David McCarthy, education/outreach director Brett Milanowski, administrative director Maya Parra, and marketing director Rich Stiles. For more information, call the Peabody House Theatre at 617-625-1300.