Northeast Arc CEO Jo Ann Simons says the nonprofit is now at a place where its programs work to serve the needs of the community. Photo by Bob Roche.
By Adam Swift
PEABODY — There’s Broadway, there’s Off Broadway, and coming soon, there will be Off Peabody Square.
Thursday night, Northeast Arc unveiled the Foster Street space that will be the home of its Black Box Community Theater Project.
The North Shore nonprofit, which helps people with disabilities become full participants in the community, is looking to renovate the space at the rear of ArcWorks Community Art Center and transform it into a community theater.
The plan is to open up the space for Northeast Arc programs, as well as to the Peabody and North Shore arts and theater scene in general, according to Tim Brown, Northeast Arc’s Director of Day Services.
“We began plans to repurpose the space about a year ago,” said Brown. “We thought the theater would fit with the arts center.”
At the heart of Northeast Arc’s programs are a spirit of inclusion, where people with disabilities work in the community where they live.
That spirit of inclusion and community is a driving force behind the theater project, as a long list of Peabody officials and movers and shakers have thrown themselves into the support of Northeast Arc’s theater project.
“This brings the face of Northeast Arc into the community,” said City Councilor Tom Gould, who did double duty as Thursday night’s master of ceremonies. “This is so welcomed. We also lack a theater, and this will bring one to the downtown.”
Those who turned out to support the project were as adamant that Northeast Arc bringing a theater to Peabody is as positive for the city as the city’s support is a positive for the nonprofit.
“This has been a fun project to work on,” said City Councilor and state Rep. Tom Walsh. “There are a lot of different meanings to this. It’s exciting for the downtown and the revitalization of Peabody Square. Audiences will be able to take advantage of our local restaurants, and it’s a great reuse of the space. There is really no downside.”
City Council President Peter McGinn said the theater will be a great asset for local performing arts and economic development.
“It’s a needed venue on the North Shore and will be a tremendous asset for the city,” he said.
Jo Ann Simons, Northeast Arc’s CEO, said the nonprofit is now at a place where its programs work to serve the needs of the community. She said the goal of a black box theater is to take a simple space that can be used by a variety of performers and performance groups.
When the renovations are completed, the theater will provide employment opportunities for local actors, musicians, set builders, ticket sellers and concession workers. The space will also provide recreational opportunities for as many as 7,800 local youths and adults annually.
Thursday night’s reception was about showcasing the progress and potential of the theater space. Now the challenge is to raise the money needed to make that potential a reality, according to Susan Ring Brown, Northeast Arc’s development director.
There is a $500,000 fundraising goal for the project, with sponsorship opportunities ranging from the sponsorship of an individual seat for $5,000 to naming rights for the theater for $100,000.
Adam Swift can be reached at [email protected].