Northern Stage is a regional non-profit LORT-D professional theater company located in White River Junction, VT with a mission to change lives, one story at a time. We actively engage our audiences with world-class productions and extensive educational and outreach programs and serve more than 50,000 community members each year.

Founded in 1997 by Brooke Ciardelli, Northern Stage has since become the preeminent year-round theater company in the region, offering professional productions of world premieres, classics, and musicals. In 2013, the Board of Directors engaged a new leadership team to galvanize Northern Stage for its next stage of evolution. Led by Producing Artistic Director Carol Dunne and Managing Director Eric Bunge, this new team illuminated Northern Stage’s impact on its community with a firm commitment to intimate engagement. In 2018, Irene Green became the Managing Director, and Eric Bunge stepped into the new position of Special Projects Manager to help support the company in its new phase of growth and development.

With a commitment to the development of new work for the American theater, Northern Stage launched New Works Now in 2014. The program has been extraordinarily successful with world premieres continuing to our main stage, Off-Broadway, and beyond.

A robust educational program focuses on professional training in a nurturing and supportive environment for students of all ages. Offerings include student acting ensembles, a summer musical theater intensive, and an expansive theater-in-the-schools residency program.

In 2014, Northern Stage embarked upon the Campaign for Northern Stage, a $9 million plan to build our own theatrical home and capitalize the company for future stability and growth. The Barrette Center for the Arts was opened – on time and under budget – in October of 2015. With a building cost of $7.4 million, this 240-seat modified-thrust theater enhances the live theater experience and allows Northern Stage’s audiences and artists to explore exciting new dimensions in theatrical programming and artistry. Additionally, the Campaign for Northern Stage raised $1.6 million to build a financial foundation upon which the organization could thrive.

Core Values

EXCELLENCE:

We strive for world class in all we do. We offer a breadth of programming and depth of experience that is worthy of our audiences.

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT:

We are responsive to the desires of our community and speak to their truths, making Northern Stage indispensable in the lives of those we serve.

INTIMACY:

We leverage the power of our 240-seat state-of-the-art venue and our location in a rural region to connect more deeply to our audiences.

COLLABORATION:

We cultivate a work culture of support, integrity, and inspiration that propels our artists, administrators, and community partners to their highest achievements.

RESPONSIBILITY:

We gather and carefully manage our resources to ensure a vital Northern Stage today, tomorrow, and for the future.

INNOVATION:

We steward emerging writers, embrace cutting edge theater technology, and cultivate the development of best practices in all aspects of the company.

EDUCATION:

We teach, nurture, and inspire all generations of theater artists and theater lovers.

Commitment to Inclusion, Equity, Diversity, and Access

Theater shows us a vision of how the world can be, and we take the responsibility of envisioning seriously. As artists in a changing world, we strive to continually open ourselves up to new ideas and practices. We believe the most important and impactful art is made when Northern Stage is a welcoming place for everyone. We aspire to make excellent work that is representative of our community, and we aspire to uplift voices that aren’t always heard, challenging ourselves to be the best possible humans and artists. Though uncomfortable at times, we can only change lives by asking the hard questions: Who are the voices of tomorrow, what are the stories yet to be told, and how can we change lives with our art? With the support of our community, Northern Stage is committed to finding out the depth and breadth of the impact theater can have on our world.

Raising our Voice & Taking Action

We, the company of Northern Stage, vow to address injustices against the Black community. We believe that if we do not stand strongly and vocally alongside Black America, and take action through our art and community, we are perpetuating the racism endemic to our country. Theater is a healing art form, and we will work to heal, reveal, and lift up the voices that have been silenced for so long.