Stoneham Theatre Is Now Greater Boston Stage Company

Stoneham Theatre opens its 18th Season with a new name, Greater Boston Stage Company.

Shares Producing Artistic Director Weylin Symes, "We we want our name to better reflect that we are a regional theatre that serves many towns. Our audiences and students hail from all over the Metro North region and beyond. We are a vital and important member of the Boston and Greater Boston theatre community and we think the new name supports that. Our theater opened on December 1, 2000 with A Christmas Carol. Since then we have housed countless live productions. Amazingly, we still have people call to ask what movie is showing as this building was a movie house for decades. Changing the name from 'theatre' to 'stage company' will hopefully alleviate some of this confusion."

Along with the change in name is a revision to the theatre's mission statement: "We bring vibrant, relevant theatre and theatrical education beyond the boundaries of Boston with a commitment to world and regional premieres alongside fresh interpretations of familiar work. Within our professional setting, we uniquely foster the artists of tomorrow by involving our current and former students in every aspect of the theatre."

The young company education program began in 2001 with 13 students, including Andrew Barbato whose play Jack and the Giant is being produced by the Advanced young company Ensemble students this season. The program has grown to educate over 300 students annually. "The new mission is really just another step forward in our natural evolution as a world-class regional theatre with a world-class education program. We are committed to involving current and former students in everything we do in some capacity at the theatre. It shows our deep commitment to theatrical education and to the future of theatre for generations to come," states Symes.

Each season, we produce seven Mainstage shows, present a series of Special Events, and run year-round classes, lessons, and fully staged productions through the young company for students in grades 1-12.

The young company helps the next generation become better artists, better audience members, and better people through dramatic education. The young company offers diverse year-round programs for students in grades 1-12 taught in a professional theatre environment. Through artistic training and performance opportunities, the young company develops life skills such as confidence, self-discipline, and collaboration to inspire and prepare young actors for future creative engagement and success. The young company lives by the idea that GOOD THEATRE MAKES GOOD PEOPLE.

For more information, contact the box office at (781) 279-2200. Box Office Hours: Mondays - Fridays, 11am to 6pm; Saturdays, 1pm to 6pm. Location: 395 Main Street, Stoneham, MA 02180. Visit www.greaterbostonstage.org for more.

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