THE ARCTIC PLAYHOUSE

A Short History

2014-2015

IT STARTED WITH AN IDEA

When Daydream Theatre Company was looking for a new location after 13 years in Providence, the idea surfaced to revive a once thriving arts community that had abundant store front space available.

FINALLY A DECISION!

After months of collaborating with local West Warwick town officials and landlords, 117 Washington Street was secured and became home to The Arctic Playhouse.

NOW WHAT DO WE DO?

With a team of dedicated leaders, a few markers and a bunch of pizza, ideas began to flow and a plan formed as to how we would organize and what were our next steps.

THE BEGINNINGThere were many ideas on how to layout the playhouse. Where would the stage go? Where would we put a handicapped bathroom? So many decisions to make!

LET THE FUN BEGIN!A group of family and friends rallied and volunteered to renovate a vacant dog salon and within 12 weeks the curtain opened on our first performance to sold out crowds (despite a blizzard with hazardous driving conditions).

AN AMAZING TEAM

This group of enthusiastic family and friends spent endless hours, working tirelessly through the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays of 2014 to create what is now The Arctic Playhouse.

FAMILY AND FRIENDS

SO MUCH DEDICATION!

WINDOW DRESSING

While we worked through the holidays, we wanted the community to become curious about what might be coming to their neighborhood.

PEAKING AN INTEREST

People were eager to stop by and ask questions when they saw our windows dressed for the holidays. Some would come in for a peak and looked forward to our new little theater.

THE WORD IS OUT!

Newspapers became curious too

and began writing articles. The

excitement was building as our

volunteers put on the finishing

touches.

ALMOST READY

OPENING NIGHT

In January, 2015 our Board of Directors, Jim Belanger, Lenny Schwartz, Lloyd Felix and David Vieira were ready for our first show Daydream Theatre Company’s “A Man Called Snoopy” (the story of Charles Schulz).

“A MAN CALLED SNOOPY”

With a capacity of

90 seats, we ran three

shows of A Man Called Snoopy with nearly sold out crowds.

NEXT SHOW

With the proceeds from Snoopy, we were able to finish renovations to the stage and apply final touches to the new accessible bathroom. Daydream Theatre Company’s presentation of “Co-Creator – The Man Behind the Bat” became our next offering with nine shows and rave reviews.

CO-CREATOR IS A HIT!

Co-Creator brought crowds locally and from around the

state especially from those with an

interest in the real story behind the

creator of Batman.

LIVE THEATER

The Arctic Playhouse, in collaboration local directors and playwrights, has provided the following live entertainment in its new location in West Warwick:

Mind Mysteries (Lon Cerel) – June, 2015

Crystal Romance (Daydream Theatre Company) – June, 2015

The Boys in the Band (LoisAnnie Productions) – June, 2015

Social Avenger (Daydream Theatre Company) – August, 2015

 

COMMUNITY SUPPORTIn addition, we have collaborated with the following individuals/organizations in providing other art activities: West Warwick School Department Arts Program – May,

2015 (Month long art exhibit of district wide West Warwick students)

Wine Tasting Event to benefit local charities (West Warwick Lions Club) – May, 2015

Tuesday Night Film Series of RI independent films (Scorpio Film Releasing) – July, 2015

SPONSORS

We are grateful for the support we have received so far from the following sponsors:

Cardi’s Furniture

Arpin Worldwide

Arpin Van Lines

John Clarke Insurance

Centerville Bank

Shimmer Technologies

Commodity Haulers Express Inc.

Joe BelangerJillian BelangerGus BelangerAimee BelangerGreg LoweMatt BelangerJoe RogersDeb Belanger

VOLUNTEER APPRECIATION

Lisa VieiraMichael VieiraAngela VieiraFilomena FelixLauren FelixBryan SawyerGabe SousaDave Wilbur

We could never have accomplished so much in such a short period of time without the following amazing family

and friends:

WHAT’S NEXT?9/16/15 @ 7:00 pm – Human Nature (an independent film written and directed by Christopher Ferreira). This is the first in our Wednesday night film series (more to come). 10/8, 10/9, 10/10, 1015, 10/16, 10/17, 10/22, 10/23 @ 8:00 pm – Daydream Theatre Company presents  Our Distance Between Stars (a play written and directed by Lenny Schwartz) 10/24 @ 3:00 pm – Daydream Theatre Company presents Our Distance Between Stars 

WHAT’S NEXT?

11/7 (TBD) – Book Signing by Barry Prizant, Ph.D. (Barry will be here to sign books, take pictures and discuss his new book UNIQUELY HUMAN: A Different Way of Seeing Autism  published by Simon & Schuster on August 4, 2015) This is a fundraiser for Community Autism Resources annual retreat for parents of children with autism.  Wine and light hors d'oeuvres will be available.

 

11/14, 11/19, 11/20, 11/21 @ 8:00 pm  - Late, A Cowboy Song (a play written by Sarah Ruhl and directed by Kelli Noonan)

We’re just getting started and looking forward to carrying out our mission of bringing

affordable arts and culture to the wider Rhode Island

audience. Our work connects artists with the public to build stronger,

vibrant communities.

MORE TO COME!

HOPES AND DREAMS

The Arctic Playhouse hopes to become an open venue for artists and focal point in the West Warwick community, bringing people from around the state together to enjoy a wonderful night of entertainment and have fun. With the heart and passion of all those invested in the success of The Arctic Playhouse, and the wide diversity of artists available in Rhode Island, the sky is the limit!

 “I believe that in a great city, or even in a small city or a village, a great theater is the outward and visible sign of an inward and probable culture.” — Laurence

Olivier

FOR MORE INFORMATION

Visit our website at: www.thearcticplayhouse.com

Or our Facebook page at :https://www.facebook.com/thearcticplayhouse?ref=aymt_homepage_panel