Get to know the incredible individuals who make everything we do possible!
Our Staff
Melissa Bernstein (Artistic Director) founded the Newton Theatre Company in 2013 and has directed most Newton Theatre Company shows including Wonder, Our Town, The Song of Achilles: Parts I and II, The Imaginary Invalid, Junie B. Jones and That Yucky Blucky Fruitcake, The Importance of Being Earnest, Agamemnon, Junie B. Jones and that Meanie Jim's Birthday, You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown, The Bourgeois Gentleman (or The Would-Be Hipster), The Oresteia, Junie B. Jones Sneaky Peaky Spying, Ethan Frome, Natural Shocks, Ada and the Engine, Iphigenia at Aulis, Living in Exile, Mansfield Park, Women, Exhibiting, It's a Wonderful Life, Helen, The Witches, Marie Antoinette,Pinocchio, Sorry, Wrong Number, The War of the Worlds, Rebecca, All About Eve, Under Milk Wood and The Mrs. She was the founder and Executive Director of the Newton Youth Players, housed in the Newton Cultural Center at City Hall. Over the program's history she has directed over 50 productions involving close to one thousand youth actors. Melissa holds a Ph.D. in Theatre from the University of Colorado at Boulder, an MFA in Playwriting/ Theatre Education from Emerson College and a BA in Theatre from SUNY-Binghamton.
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Abigail Strayer (Director of Digital Outreach and Programs) is a newcomer to Newton Theatre Company, but is so honored to be here! She has worked in educational and regional theatre for over a decade, and has a passion for stage management, directing, design, and dramaturgy. Her prior stage managing credits with NTC include Saint Joan and In the Time of the Butterflies. When she is not working on stage productions, Abby is proudly directing for the Newton Theatre Kids shows. She holds a BA in Theatre and History from Bucknell University, and is working towards a Ph.D. in History from Boston University.
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Paige Perkinson (Director of Development) You might recognize Paige from Newton Theatre Company’s recent production of We’re Gonna Die or last year’s St. Joan. Whether onstage or off, Paige has been a champion of NTC for many years. Paige started teaching theatre at Newton South High School in 2014. As a teacher and artist, Paige knows firsthand how to advocate for the arts and build resources for theatrical productions and educational initiatives. NTC has emerged from the COVD-19 pandemic with a renewed strength and commitment to the community. As our Director of Development, Paige will work to take NTC to the next level through engaging fundraising efforts and growing our donor community.
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Alex Taylor (Director of Audience Outreach): Since joining NTC in Spring of 2023, Alex has had the privilege of wearing many hats, including Newton Theatre Kids Director, Musical Director, Sound Designer, and Social Media Manager. Now, he is overjoyed to be stepping into the role of Director of Audience Outreach! Alex moved from Iowa to Boston in 2016 to attend Berklee College of Music. There, he earned a B.M. in Contemporary Writing & Production and an M.A. in Music Business. Along with music, Alex has always adored theatre. So, working with NTC has been the blessing of a lifetime! Alex's goal is to provide audience members with an unforgettable experience.
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Board of Directors |
Advisory Board |
Melissa Bernstein, President
Courtney Cole, Treasurer Karen Woodrow, Clerk Kathryn DeNitto Irene Sherman |
Rosalind Bevan
Vivian Liu-Somers Shalini Prasad |
Courtney Cole, Treasurer, Board of Directors, has lived in Newton for 15 years, and she and her husband, Jason, are the proud parents of two high-school-aged daughters. Courtney first became familiar with Newton Theatre Company and Melissa Bernstein when her daughters participated in Newton Youth Players. Courtney received an A.B. in German and Art History from Dartmouth College and an MBA from Harvard University. She was Director of Strategic Research and Analysis at the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston from 2002 to 2007. Since 2007, she has worked as an independent consultant to arts organizations, such as the Institute of Contemporary Art/Boston, the Museum of Fine Arts Boston, and Boston Ballet. Courtney has served on the Newton Theatre Company board as Treasurer since 2018.
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Karen Woodrow, Clerk, Board of Directors, is the owner of Visiting Angels Senior Home Care, covering the Newton/Canton and Chelmsford/Burlington areas. Her award-winning agencies empower seniors and adults with disabilities to live independently in their own homes. As a Newton business owner and long-time resident, Karen understands the benefits of bringing quality, thoughtful, local theatre to our community. She has been involved with Newton Theatre Company since its inaugural show Wonder in 2013 and as a stage mom since 2009. She is an avid theatergoer and subscriber to many theatre companies throughout the Boston area. Karen has over 25 years of business experience and holds an MBA from Kellogg at Northwestern University and a bachelor’s degree from the University of Pennsylvania.
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Irene Sherman, Board of Directors, lives in Waban, MA with her husband and 3 kids. She's originally from Denver, CO and graduated from the University of Colorado with a B.S. in Business Administration - Finance and a B.A. in Japanese Language and Civilization. She currently serves on the Board of Directors of several companies including Gas Station TV, Rapid Advance, Marquis Software Solutions, and Carespot Urgent Care. |
Rosalind “Roz” Bevan, Advisory Board (she/her/hers) is a director, producer, and casting director. After 8 years in Boston, she has recently relocated back to Los Angeles. Some of her directing credits include STEW at Gloucester Stage; NO CHILD… and TWILIGHT: LOS ANGELES, 1992 at Newton Theatre Company; ECHOES and THE 54TH IN '22, two short audio plays at The Huntington. And MARCUS; OR THE SECRET OF SWEET, THE MOORS, and PROOF at Boston University. She assistant directed WITCH at The Huntington. She has also directed a number of readings and workshops. Roz has led workshops about professional theatre and audition technique at various colleges and universities including Boston Conservatory, Northeastern University, Emerson College, Tufts University, and Wabash College. Roz holds a BFA in Theatre Arts Design & Production with an Emphasis in Directing from Boston University.
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Vivian Liu-Somers, Advisory Board is an actor/writer/director based in the Boston area who has performed or participated in readings with the Asian American Playwrights Collective (AAPC), Asian American Theater Artists of Boston (AATAB), the Newton Theater Company, TC Squared, the Nora Theater Company, the Umbrella Stage Company, Company One, Fresh Ink, Pao Arts Center, the Boston Theater Marathon, Boston One Minute Play Festival, and SlamBoston. You can see examples of her work at rebrand.ly/vliusomers
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Shalini Prasad, Advisory Board, is an integrative designer and brand consultant who practices under DeSha Creative, and teaches at Lesley University College of Art & Design. In addition to her role as a designer, artist and educator, she is an avid dancer, choreographer and actor and has performed in a myriad of venues. Her interdisciplinary background in both the creative arts (architecture, graphic design and art) and performing arts (classical Indian dance and theatre) allows her to seamlessly transcend platforms, and fearlessly redraw boundaries. Shalini moved to the US twenty years ago from India and has made Newton her home for the past three, where she lives with her husband, two daughters and dog. She enjoys improv cooking, karaoking, running and hiking. She is currently in the process of resuming her guitar lessons so she can master 'Landslide' by Fleetwood Mac... some day. She is excited to share her creative repertoire, learn and grow ideas as a new member of the Newton Theatre Company family.
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