Gloucester Stage Company opens its 47th season after winning five Elliot Norton awards from the Boston Theater Critics Association on Monday night.
The professional theater company had received 14 nominations in April. Four awards were given in connection to the theater’s production of “The Glass Menagerie,” which received the award for “Outstanding Play, Midsize.” Three more awards were for: “Outstanding Featured Performance in a Play, Midsize” for Liza Giangrande; “Outstanding Director, Midsize” for Doug Lockwood; and “Outstanding Lighting Design, Midsize or Small” for Amanda Fallon. The fifth award was for “Outstanding Solo Performance” with Valyn Lyric Turner in the production “No Child…”
Gloucester Stage launches the regional premiere of “Bad Books” by Sharyn Rothstein, the first of its four productions this season, on Thursday, June 4. This season’s productions will explore themes of “connection, care, and what it means to support one another in a complex world.”
Artistic Director Rebecca Bradshaw, who is going into her fourth season at Gloucester Stage, said the awards, in part, affirm the theater’s direction.
“It feels like we’re finally on the map,” she said. “It feels like people are paying attention, and we are trying to take risks with what we do and challenge our artists to create something new and fresh and people are responding positively to it. It was a joyous night. ‘Gloucester Stage’ was said a lot at the ceremony, and it felt really great to be recognized, especially when there are many great theaters.”
New managing director
A new face among the team will be Brooke Smith as the new managing director. Smith, a Newburyport resident, has extensive experience in the theater world.
“Smith brings a dynamic background in theater operations, finance, and producing, with experience spanning Broadway, regional theatre, and entrepreneurial ventures. In her role, she will oversee the administrative and financial operations of the company while working in close partnership with Bradshaw to advance Gloucester Stage’s artistic mission, expand its reach, and strengthen its organizational infrastructure,” according to a statement from Gloucester Stage.
Bradshaw welcomed Smith to the team, highlighting her breadth of experience and collaborative spirit.
“She understands how to build systems that support artists and audiences alike, and her leadership will be instrumental as we continue to grow our impact as a regional theatre rooted in the Gloucester community,” she said.
Smith most recently led operations for the regional non-profit Houston Broadway Theatre, which produced the regional premiere of “American Psycho” with a new script and score by Duncan Sheik and Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa. Her other leadership roles with Broadway organizations include ATG Entertainment and Nederlander Producing Company of America, through which she managed Broadway theaters that produced Tony Award-winning productions with multimillion-dollar budgets.
Board President Grant Clark said that Smith’s expertise and energy are already being felt.
“Brooke brings to Gloucester Stage a wealth of managerial experience with theaters large and small across the country,” he said.
Smith looks forward to her theatrical journey ahead on Cape Ann.
“I’m thrilled and honored to be joining Gloucester Stage at such a pivotal moment of growth,” she said. “Rebecca has a strong artistic vision and a clear commitment to doing meaningful and collaborative work at the highest level. I look forward to building on that foundation — supporting artists and staff, strengthening operations and helping to expand Gloucester Stage’s presence across the region.”
The staff and board of Gloucester Stage strive to continue building on its legacy as a cultural anchor in the community.
More information can be found at GloucesterStage.com.
Gail McCarthy may be contacted at 978-675-2706, or gmccarthy@northofboston.com.