Merrimack Repertory Theatre and Middlesex Community College Launch M2 Performing Arts Academy

Merrimack Repertory Theatre (MRT) and Middlesex Community College (MCC) have announced the launch of M2 Performing Arts Academy, a new year-round performing arts program designed to empower young people through theatre. Building on a multi-year partnership between MRT and MCC, M2 expands the organizations' existing education and youth programming into a year-round pathway for school-age children to explore acting, musical theatre, improvisation, storytelling, movement, and performance.

'M2 Performing Arts Academy is an exciting next step for MRT and MCC, a year-round place for young people to develop their skills, find their voices, and feel empowered,' said Jenny Lavery, MRT's Interim Executive Artistic Director. 'Growing up, my theatre family saved me. No matter what was happening at school or in my personal life, I knew I had a place where I belonged. Theatre gives us a way to tell stories, process emotions, make sense of our lives, and solve problems together. We hope families come for the singing, dancing, acting, and improv…but stay for the self-discovery, confidence, communication skills, and sense of belonging. I'm thrilled to create that kind of place for the next generation.'

BUILDING ON A STRONG PARTNERSHIP

M2 grows out of a longstanding collaboration between MRT and MCC. Over the past several years, the organizations have partnered to bring Theatre for Young Audiences productions to the Merrimack Valley. The partnership has also expanded Summer Stage for Youth, which now provides young people ages 8–18 with the opportunity to perform in two full-scale musicals during the summer months.

The collaboration has created opportunities not only for young performers, but also for college students, who have gained professional experience on MRT's stage and backstage as actors, technicians, and members of production teams.

With M2, the organizations are taking the next step: moving from seasonal youth programming to a year-round home for young artists.

'MCC and MRT created the M2 model as a comprehensive theatre experience for young people, whether they are stepping onto the stage for the first time or looking to further develop their skills,' said Karen Oster, MCC's Chair of Theatre and MRT Director of Education. 'Through M2, students have opportunities to perform, take creative risks, build confidence, develop a sense of belonging and collaborate with both peers and theatre professionals. Just as importantly, they are developing social, academic and professional skills that will serve them well beyond the stage. By introducing young people to MCC and the possibilities of a community college education, M2 demonstrates what can happen when education, professional theatre and community come together.' — Karen Oster, MCC Chair of Performing Arts and MRT Director of Education

'MCC is thrilled to expand our partnership with MRT to offer an exciting theatre program for young students,' said Phil Sisson, MCC's President. 'Our two organizations share a mission of educating the Greater Lowell community through immersive, hands-on opportunities, while bringing them culturally enriching experiences. M2 is a strong investment not only in the performing arts, but in young people who now have a powerful outlet to explore their interests, develop their talents, enhance their perspectives, and build their imaginations. Students will be exposed to a network of local, expert professionals within the community – including students and staff members at MCC – who can share their knowledge and work with them as they continue on this pathway.' — Phil Sisson, President of Middlesex Community College and MRT Board Member

MORE THAN THEATRE

Theatre asks young people to pay attention - not only to what is happening onstage, but to one another.

Students learn to listen, collaborate, take turns, communicate ideas, respond to feedback, solve problems, and step into perspectives different from their own. They learn to take creative risks, recover when something does not work, and try again.

Research increasingly points to the value of these experiences. A 2023 study involving more than 4,000 students found that active participation in theatre significantly improved empathy, social communication, tolerance, and social interaction, with particularly strong effects on social communication.

Another study on students ages 9 - 10 found that students who participated in drama-based pedagogy showed significant improvements in perspective-taking and collaborative behavior.

Research supported by the National Endowment for the Arts has further connected theatre participation with positive academic, social, and civic outcomes for young people.

'Theatre is not simply something young people do. It is something that helps young people become their best selves,' said Lavery. 'M2 is about building artists, but it is also about building listeners, collaborators, problem-solvers, communicators, and leaders.'

A YEAR-ROUND PATHWAY FOR YOUNG ARTISTS

M2 Performing Arts Academy will offer classes, camps, and performance opportunities throughout the year for school-age children, creating opportunities for young people at different ages and experience levels to engage with the performing arts.

The program is designed to welcome both students who are discovering theatre for the first time and young people who want to deepen their skills and pursue more advanced performance opportunities.

The academy will also create a pathway between youth arts education, MCC's theatre programs, and the professional environment of Merrimack Repertory Theatre - connecting young people with working artists, educators, technicians, and theatre professionals in their own community.

M2 is built on a simple idea: every young person deserves a place where they can be heard, take creative risks, discover what they can do, and know that they belong.

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