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| 1992 - 2000 | 2001 - 2002 | 2002 - 2003 | 2003 - 2004 | 2004 - 2005 | 2005 - 2006 | 2006 - 2007 |
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2002 - 2003 SEASON:
Our 2nd full season in our new home, and Acme's 10th anniversary season, from 2002 to 2003 the Acme Board of Directors selected a balance of theatrical productions to present to our ever-growing audience base. Publicity became a large priority for the Board, and initiatives were begun to reach out to not only media but target groups including seniors and newcomers to Maynard. The season schedule was established to present as many productions as possible, while avoiding conflicts with busy times such as the Christmas holidays. We continued to search for ways to generate revenue in the space during the summertime when we were dark.
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In September 2002, Acme presented Larry Shue's The Nerd, a hilarious comedy that saw audience members returning again and again. The production was a wonderful beginning to the season, as September otherwise brought sad memories of the terrorist attacks on America only 1 year prior. Dave Fisher, Michele Aguillon, and Andrew Cranin were all honored with Achievement Recognition in Acting by the EMACT consultant.
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Acme's 2nd production of the season was the musical, A...My Name is Alice, a funny, touching, poignant, and sometimes silly compilation of songs and skits that expressed what it is to be a woman in today's world. While not the overwhelming audience success of The Nerd, the musical was lauded by both the women and men in the audience as an accurate picture of women as expressed by the music. Karen Dervin, Jessica Healy, Kathleen Dalton, Leslie Wagner, Jennifer Powers, Daniel Loya, and Gordon Ellis were honored with Achievement Recognition for Ensemble Acting/Vocals and Kathy Campbell for Lighting Design by the EMACT consultant.
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The 2nd Annual New Works Winter Festival was held over two weekends in January 2003, to give playwrights the opportunity to have their work presented twice. Rob Mattson again produced the event, and selected 18 new plays to present from over 50 submitted. Again the audience was allowed to participate by asking questions of the playwrights and selecting their favorite piece. Charlie Awards were won by playwright Bill Doncaster for his piece entitled, Live at Budokan, and Frank A. Shefton for his piece entitled, You. Sponsored in part by a Maynard Cultural Council grant, all nights of the NWWF were sold out, and the Board considered the possibility of expanding this successful event further.
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In February 2003, Acme produced the musical cabaret, Celebration of Love, a compilation of songs about being in and out of love, as a Valentine's Day event. The casting brought new talent to our group, and the show was marketed to couples and couples to be. Presented over two weekends, audiences enjoyed songs from stage and screen, as well as poems and skits.
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In April 2003, Acme presented Sam Shepard's compelling drama, True West. This intense play about the tumultuous relationship between two brothers was also Acme's entry at the 2003 EMACT Festival in May. True West was a Festival Finalist, was nominated for Best Production, Best Director (Dave Sheppard), Best Actor (Tom Berry), Best Actor (Russell Rocheleau), Best Supporting Actress (Sandy McNeal), Best Costume Design (Gregg Thomas), Best Ensemble, Best Set Design (Dave Sheppard), Best Sound Design (Dave Sheppard), Best Stage Manager (John Murtagh), and was awarded Best Director (Dave Sheppard), and a Special Adjudicator's Award (Production Integration of Lights, Sound, Set, Costumes & Props).