AMERICAN THEATRE | New Repertory Theatre to Close Doors After 40 Seasons

WATERTOWN, MASS.: Right after 40 seasons and extra than 300 productions, New Repertory Theatre’s board of directors has identified that it is not possible to maintain the group likely ahead. According to a launch, audiences and critics responded enthusiastically to New Rep’s relaunch and its 2023 time, but fundraising with significant donors has fallen small of the theatre’s ambitions. The board has for that reason initiated the procedure of formally dissolving the corporation, and expects to have no property at the conclusion of this procedure.

The release states, “New Rep usually takes wonderful pleasure in its heritage, and in distinct the 2023 season, on the other hand, it is topic to the same converging realities that have impacted so lots of theatre organizations all over the state: article-pandemic economics, alterations in the philanthropic landscape, issues with the small business design of regional theatres, and other variables past its manage, along with the ending of crisis federal aid for the carrying out arts.”

Following a nine-thirty day period suspension of productions through the pandemic, New Rep recommitted by itself to a Renewal Vision of inclusion and range and a collaborative system centered on new function, new voices, and imaginative programming. Considering the fact that reopening, productions have bundled new functions in the theatre’s Pipeline Undertaking, musical events, and collaborative community performances and events with local organizations, together with the Watertown library and community universities.

Said board chair Chris Jones in a assertion, “We are so happy of the artistic excellence of our 2023 productions, the casts, style and design teams and staff members, the rave opinions and robust ticket sales, and the actuality that the theatre is going out on the optimum probable be aware.” Our inventive team has embodied the essence of New Rep’s Renewal Eyesight with excellence, professionalism, quality and spirit.” For her part, board vice chair Danielle Galligan expressed gratitude to the Higher Boston community that embraced New Rep’s eyesight and supported New Rep in attendance and economically over the a long time. “We are saddened by this outcome, but grateful for the lengthy run of this fantastic theatre,” Galligan stated in a statement.

Founded in 1984 by Larry Lane, New Repertory Theatre launched its to start with period in 1985. Preceding creative leaders have included Rick Lombardo, Kate Warner, and Jim Petosa. In 2019, Michael Bobbitt was named inventive director, but still left in 2021 to head Mass Cultural Council. In April 2021, New Rep named M. Bevin O’Gara its interim executive artistic director. The theatre does not presently have an artistic director, but is as a substitute artistically led by a group of resident artists which includes Lois Roach, Maria Hendricks, and Michael Hisamoto, and Angelica Potter, whose title is director of organizational transition.

In a assertion, the resident artists, said, “It is that fitting we close New Rep’s lengthy and storied heritage with performs that encompass the battles we have fought all through historical past and the hopes we have for a extra gorgeous future. And we replicate with satisfaction on all the group get the job done and cultural enlargement we have impacted in Watertown and further than that will resound in years to appear. We celebrate all the artists involved in the historical past of New Rep and know that New Rep lives on by means of the folks that have built the organization what it is and was.”

A celebration of the theatre’s history will be held on Dec. 11. As of 2021, the theatre’s spending budget was about $904,000.

“On behalf of the overall Board and corporation, I categorical our deepest gratitude to our patrons and donors, to the artists whose work we have been privileged to share with this community, and to an wonderful workers that regularly produced it all materialize,” Jones extra.

Linked