Community Theater in the Open

Dynamic Youth Arts & Educational Programming

Youth Arts Collaboration

Theater in the Open

Theater in the Open is dedicated to bringing creative and innovative community theater to the cultural landscape of Greater Newburyport. They stage high-quality original productions each year for the enjoyment of the community and they are dedicated to theater that is free and open to everyone! Theater in the Open is headquartered at Maudslay State Park and they offer youth arts education programs in addition to the free outdoor performances for the community.

Theater in the Open has been bringing theater performances to the public since 1979 when Anna (Clopton) Smulowitz launched the Newburyport Children’s Theater & Arts Education Program. They have also been central to the local arts scene on the North Shore. Throughout their history, the organization has been deeply involved in youth arts education. They provide wonderful opportunities for young people to express themselves and develop skills in theater, dance and visual arts. Theater in the Open hosts workshops that foster constructive, positive, creative experiences for young people. Their highly respected Summer Arts Workshops, provide programming for children aged 5 to 17, offering kids a range of enriching creative opportunities.

In 2017, Theater in the Open was selected by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts’ Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) to be the Curator of the Maudslay Gatekeepers’s House. This means that for the next 20 years, Theater in the Open will remain in Maudslay State Park and continue their incredible performances and dynamic youth arts education programming.

Theater in the Open brings the Circus Smirkus Big Top Tour to the community each year. This is the biggest fundraising event of the year in support of Theater in the Open. Circus Smirkus is an original full-length show held under a European-style one-ring big top tent at Spencer-Peirce-Little Farm.

Discover Theater in the Open’s quality performances. Simply bring a picnic blanket to Maudslay State Park to watch the creativity of this talented community theater company on display!

VISIT

Theater in the Open
1 Spring Lane
Newburyport, MA 01950
info@theaterintheopen.org

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Sculpture at Maudslay 2022 returns to Newburyport for visitors to enjoy from Sunday, September 11th through Sunday, October 2nd at 2 pm when the show closes. The event features the work of up to 50 local North Shore artists—all displayed in a picturesque outdoor setting. The application deadline is May 24th, so make sure to submit your application ASAP if you are inspired to participate in the 2022 outdoor exhibit. Maudslay State Park offers stunning views of the Merrimack Rivers, hiking trails, beautiful gardens and meadows, and more.

The show’s 2022 theme is “Intersect“. Outdoor Sculpture at Maudslay organizers point out that it’s a word that has many possible meanings and artists were invited to let the word inspire their creations. This show is site-specific—meaning the sculptures on display were designed specifically for the site they are installed at. So participating artists were also encouraged to use the beauty of the location as inspiration.

Outdoor Sculpture at Maudslay is a free event open to visitors of all ages. Stroll the park in search of exhibits on your own or if you’re looking for a specific sculpture, bring your phone to use the Maudslay sculpture app which includes a map of each artist’s location. While the event is free, regular Maudslay parking fees still apply.

All visitors should follow state park Covid-19 guidelines. Attendees are encouraged to wear masks and practice social distancing.

The Maudslay sculpture show is in its 23rd year and has featured over 250 area artists who have created over 700 sculptures. The program is supported in part by grants from the Amesbury, Georgetown, Merrimac, Newbury, Newburyport, Rowley, and West Newbury Cultural Councils, local agencies which are supported by the Mass Cultural Council, a state agency. Sponsors of the event are mentioned in both the app and on a signboard at Maudsley as a thank you.

Firehouse Center for the Arts

Theater & Arts Collaboration

The Firehouse Center for the Arts has become Newburyport’s hub for collaborative arts and is a highly regarded North Shore destination to experience top quality arts and entertainment.

Once a market house and lyceum for the Newburyport community back in the 1800’s, the Firehouse Center for the Arts is now an expectational choice for: theater, music, dance, film, stand up comedy and so much more.

The Firehouse Center for the Arts has become Newburyport’s hub for collaborative arts and is a highly regarded North Shore destination to experience top quality arts and entertainment.

Managed by the Society for the Development of Arts and Humanities (SHAH), this intimate theater with 191 seats overlooks Waterfront Park in downtown Newburyport, Massachusetts.

Live performance by local, regional and national artists are on the calendar year round, as well as a fantastic art gallery featuring 12 solo-artist shows a year.

Plus, holding true to the belief that the arts are an essential part of the learning experience, the Firehouse Center offers enrichment programs exclusively for schools.

Recent school shows produced include Boxed In, by Stephen Faria and Forbidden Newburyport, written and directed by Suzanne Bryan.

These productions teach lessons and enhance creativity, allowing students to express themselves in non-traditional ways.

For all of this we say, Bravo!

Firehouse Center for the Arts
1 Market Square
Newburyport, MA 01950
978-462-7336

“The mission of the Firehouse (Society for the Development of Arts and Humanities) is to advance the arts and humanities in the Greater Newburyport region.”

Support the Firehouse

Kudos: The Firehouse Center and Schwartz/Silver Architects won an “Honor Award for Architecture” from the American Institute of Architects.