On April 8, the Sherman Artists Association had the pleasure of hosting a truly inspiring guest speaker—Missy Alexander, President of the Sherman Playhouse.
Her talk was more than a presentation—it was a powerful reminder of how deeply the arts shape a community, and how spaces dedicated to creativity can endure, evolve, and continue to bring people together for generations.
From Church to Stage: A Living Piece of History
The Sherman Playhouse is more than a theater—it’s a living piece of local history.
Originally a church, the building has served the community in many forms over the past century—even briefly as a library—before becoming the beloved performance space it is today. Like many New England theaters, its roots reflect a beautiful continuity: a place once built for gathering continues to bring people together.
And remarkably, the Playhouse has been operating for nearly 100 years—with only a brief pause during World War II.
That kind of longevity doesn’t happen by accident.
It’s the result of generations of dedication—families who built it, nurtured it, and kept it alive. Missy shared stories of the founding family and their descendants, who remained involved for decades, forming the backbone of the Playhouse’s legacy.
The Reality Behind “Volunteer” Theater
One of the most eye-opening parts of Missy’s talk was this:
Even a fully volunteer-run theater is not free.
Licensing alone for a single show can cost thousands of dollars. Add musicians, sets, costumes, and technical needs—and suddenly, the reality becomes clear: passion fuels the work, but funding sustains it.
To ensure stability, the Playhouse has taken a strategic step forward by focusing on season tickets and membership growth—building a reliable financial foundation that allows them to plan an entire year of programming with confidence.
It’s a smart shift—and one that reflects a broader truth for arts organizations everywhere.
A Season That Balances Nostalgia and Relevance
As the Playhouse approaches its centennial celebration, this year’s programming centers around American works—a theme that feels both classic and timely.
Highlights include:
- A witty, nostalgic writer’s room comedy that also explores censorship and cultural change
- The beloved musical Bye Bye Birdie, bringing energy and youth back to the stage
- A powerful new work about Mary Todd Lincoln, developed through the Playhouse’s own creative pipeline
- A thought-provoking production of Inherit the Wind, exploring science, faith, and freedom
- A family-friendly holiday production to close the season
What stood out most is the intention behind it all:
not just to entertain—but to reconnect audiences and performers across generations.
Growing More Than an Audience
The Sherman Playhouse isn’t just producing shows—it’s cultivating a creative ecosystem.
Missy introduced several programs designed to open the doors wider:
- Cold Readings (“Cold Lemonade”) – a monthly series where writers, actors, and creatives test new material in a casual, collaborative setting
- Five Minute Theater – a space for actors to practice monologues and develop their craft
- Community events like karaoke nights – bringing in new faces and building connections
These initiatives do something powerful:
They remove barriers.
You don’t need to land a role in a major production to belong—you can simply show up, participate, and grow.
Looking Ahead: 100 Years and Beyond
To celebrate its 100-year milestone, the Playhouse is planning:
- A summer fundraiser musical
- A fall gala centered on community and celebration
- Continued improvements to the historic building, including lighting upgrades and infrastructure work
Like many arts organizations, they face challenges—aging facilities, funding limitations, and the balancing act of preserving history while modernizing for the future.
But the vision is clear.
This is not about becoming a Broadway-scale venue.
It’s about remaining something even more important:
👉 A place where people gather
👉 A place where stories are shared
👉 A place where community is built
Why This Matters
Perhaps the most powerful takeaway from Missy’s talk was this simple truth:
When people come together—in a theater, in a gallery, in any shared creative space—they connect in ways that go beyond words.
They listen.
They laugh.
They understand each other a little more.
In a world that often feels divided, spaces like the Sherman Playhouse remind us that we are, at our core, human—together.
A Shared Mission
For the Sherman Artists Association, this message resonates deeply.
We are all working toward the same goal:
to build a thriving, connected, creative community.
Whether through visual arts, theater, music, or storytelling—these spaces matter.
And as Missy so beautifully expressed, we are strongest when we support one another—not compete, but collaborate.
✨ Thank you, Missy Alexander, for an inspiring and thoughtful talk—and for the incredible work you’re doing to keep the arts alive and thriving in our community.
