A new theatrical organization with a new approach will take over occupancy of the local community theater on Park Road on June 1. The leaders of what will soon be called Playhouse on Park promise a busy and varied schedule of arts and cultural activities in the space, which is part of the A.C. Petersen Farms restaurant building.
Playhouse Theater Group, Inc., is headed by three people who came together with the common goal of promoting the arts. They weren't necessarily planning to commit to a space quite this soon but circumstances offered them an opportunity that was too good to pass up.
For the past eight years, the space was occupied by the Park Road Playhouse and its ensemble under the direction of Howard Hirsch. But financial difficulties forced that operation to close after 50 plays, the last being a performance of Alan Ayckbourn's comedy "Bedroom Farce" on May 24.
Now the space, owned by A.C. Petersen, belongs to Playhouse Theater Group. The principals are Tracy Flater of Simsbury, Sean Harris of West Hartford and Darlene Zoller of Vernon.
"I worked for the Hartt School (at the University of Hartford) for the last four years (as an arts administrator). I have a background in restaurant management, but my passion is performing arts," Flater said.
She will handle the business end of the new theater group, which has filed for official 501(c)3 nonprofit status.
"I'm here to support the artistic people. I will serve as the executive director, and Sean and Darlene will serve as the artistic directors," she said.
Harris is in his fifth year as the director of theater at Hall High School. He appeared at the playhouse four years ago in "An American Daughter."
Zoller is well known in the local dance community and works with Hall High's annual Pops 'n Jazz show. She is also the artistic director and choreographer of Stop/Time Dance Theater, slated to become the playhouse's resident dance troupe.
"I currently work at the Hartt School" teaching jazz and tap dance in its community division, Zoller said. "I worked with the (Mark Twain) Masquers" in that former Hartford-based performing arts group's heyday.
Were looking elsewhere
Flater explained that the three partners "were exploring space in other towns" when Catherine Denton, owner of A.C. Petersen Farms, made them aware of the pending availability of the local theater.
"She brought this to us. Our two-year plan (to form a theater group) became a two-month plan," she said with a smile.
While there will be a series of plays as in the past, there will be fewer dark nights at the theater. A wide variety of uses is planned. The space will also be offered to community groups for rent.
"We're looking to have opportunities in several different areas" appealing to a wide range of audiences and performers, Harris said.
The possibilities include a play series, small musicals, dance performances, theater for the young, jazz concerts, improv shows, stand-up comedy and educational elements connected to local schools.
"A lot of people love the intimacy of that space," Harris said.
For those not familiar with the playhouse, it has approximately 160 seats on three sides and a floor-level "thrust" stage. No one in the audience is more than four rows from the performing space.
Harris said one of their goals is to "keep theater in West Hartford vital. We're trying to be incredibly inclusive" in both the variety of performances and the opportunities for the community to participate in them.
He expects that he will direct some of the play series, and guest directors will be invited to lead the others. There will be open auditions for all performances.
"We're hoping we can become a destination" that people think about first when deciding what to do on a weeknight or weekend, said Zoller.
"We'd like to remain an affordable neighborhood theater," Flater added.
She emphasized that the new group needs community support, not only in terms of dollars, but in other ways, too. A series of open houses will be held over the summer and fall to introduce the public to the new Playhouse on Park.
Although they are all excited about the artistic opportunities that await them, they have pledged to pay close attention to the bottom line. They know the risks they face in starting a new arts-based business.
"In this economy, there are 15 theaters that closed in the last four months," Harris said.
"We're building a strong business plan" that will evolve with time as the theater develops, Flater added.
They are already negotiating with fiscal sponsors and intend to aggressively pursue any grant money or other financial opportunities that become available to them.
Flater recently attended a meeting of the Park Road Association and said she was thrilled with the support received from that group.
"We have been embraced by every single person who has been introduced to us," she said.
Opening performance
The first official performance to be presented by the new theater group will be the Stop/Time Dance Theater's presentation of "My Show, A Choreographer's Story," from June 25 to 28. Show times are 7:30 p.m. Thursday, 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday.
Tickets are $20 general admission and $18 for senior citizens, students and Let's Go Arts members. For tickets or further details, call 202-4422 or see www.stoptimedance.org.
For more information about the new theater group, visit www.playhouseonpark.org after June 1.
