Open Door Theater

09/02/2023

Presenting at LEAD this week on Access on a Budget. Partnered with Julie Simon from Oregon Cabaret Theater, an access asset that I met 4 years ago at LEAD. Collaboration is key.

08/30/2023

Great turnout for the LEAD Conference 2023. 900 attendees and Open Door Theater and Vox are in the house.

08/20/2023

Open Door performing at the EMACT DASH awards. (Photo of actors performing on stage and selfie of part of the ODT contingent preshow)

08/04/2023

Sam Gould on National Public Radio right now.

All theatrical performances feature a diverse cast and accommodations for disabled audience members.

07/24/2023

Open Door Theater is tickled pink to be nominated for the coveted EMACT Dash awards!  And super excited to reprise the number at the gala. Congratulations Terri for that gorgeous color palate of garments, (and Nancy and Chris and costume team), Congratulations to Todd for not just Sound but also running projections, setting up captioning, access feed tech screens in lobby and being a genius. Congratulations to Jared for being the hardest working sponge and most well rounded square we know! Congratulations Brian for once again leading the team with vision and poise and skill and the whole SpongBob Team for making accessible magic and dreams come true! (Photos below of  nomination screens for Best Costumes-Terri Carotenuto, Best Sound Design -Todd Short, Best Actor in a musical- Jared Palazzo, Best Musical Direction- Brian Kelly and Best Musical Open Door Theater- The SpongeBob Musical)

06/27/2023

Thank you to the Maynard Fine Arts Theater, for showing us our production on the big screen! (Photo of the theater marquis with the SpongeBob poster out front)

06/22/2023

Free in person Audition Workshop Wednesday June 28, 2023 10-1 pm. at Sargent Memorial Library. We have teamed up with the Sargent Library again for this class, taught by veteran actor and educator, Chris Merritt, (Plankton, ODT SpongeBob 2023) this workshop is designed to build confidence, add dimension to your performance, and make your audition experience more fun! All experience levels and abilities are welcome. The workshop will prepare for Wizard of Oz auditions but is open to all even if you're not planning an audition anytime soon. Please let us know if you need any accommodations, ie large font sides, ASL interpreter, etc. workshop is free but registration is required.

Taught by veteran actor and educator, Chris Merritt, this workshop is designed to build confidence, add dimension to your performance, and make your audition experience more fun! All experience levels are welcome, even if you're not planning an audition anytime soon.

06/14/2023

Deeply honored tonight to follow in ground breaking and tireless footsteps of Lynne Osborn to receive the Mike Tobia from the Acton Boxborough United Way Tonight. The Mike Tobia Award for Community Leadership, established in 2021, recognizes an outstanding Community Leader, dedicated to serving residents' needs with compassion and dignity, while fostering a sense of belonging for all. (Photo of dynamic Executive Director Katie Neville, Commujity Leader Lynne Osborn and Sam Gould)

06/06/2023

AB Cultural Council reception. Thank you to AB and the Mass Cultural Council for the indispensable support and our engaged leadership for prioritizing arts and access. (Photo of Sam and Dawn accepting the ODT SpongBob recognition and Photo of Representative Simon Cataldo, Sam Gould and Senator Jamie Eldridge).

05/20/2023

WOO! Over the rainbow to announce this prod team. Director Margot Law, Musical Director Katherine Denney, Choreographer Becky Robichaud, Stage Manager Jess Penney Producers Sam Gould and Dawn Gomez.

05/17/2023

We are excited to announce our 2024 Musical Production, see you in Oz!

THE WIZARD OF OZ
By L. Frank Baum
With Music and Lyrics by Harold Arlen and E. Y. Harburg Background Music by Herbert Stothart
Dance and Vocal Arrangements by Peter Howard Orchestration by Larry Wilcox
Adapted by John Kane for the Royal Shakespeare Company
Based upon the Classic Motion Picture owned by
Turner Entertainment Co. and distributed in all media by Warner Bros. THE WIZARD OF OZ is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals on behalf of Tams-Witmark LLC.
www.concordtheatricals.com

05/13/2023

Out at the west Acton Spring Fling! Come on down! (Photo of a Photo Booth for Open Door Theater in front of Great Spaces Lemonade stand and Squidward's house is peaking out from under tents in front of Mood Chartruse)

05/08/2023

Ask Me Fair was a huge success! We all learned something and had a great time.

05/06/2023

Getting ready for the ASK ME FAIR THIS SUNDAY, MAY 7TH 2-4:30 at the Sargent Library, Boxborough. Walk-ins are welcome but to insure we have enough snacks and swag it would help if you preregister at https://www.eventkeeper.com/mars/xpages/B/BOXLIB/EK.cfm?curOrg=BOXLIB&curMonth=5&curYear=2023&SelectedDate=5/7/2023 #5/7/2023

05/05/2023

ASK ME FAIR THIS SUNDAY, MAY 7TH 2-4:30 at the Sargent Library, Boxborough. Simply put, the purpose of the fair is to fight racism/ableism/anti-Semitism and introduce kids to a variety of people through conversations with multiple cool presenters. It is an enlightening experience to help our youngsters through an ever changing world. Walk-ins are welcome but to insure we have enough snacks and swag it would help if you preregister at https://www.eventkeeper.com/mars/xpages/B/BOXLIB/EK.cfm?curOrg=BOXLIB&curMonth=5&curYear=2023&SelectedDate=5/7/2023 #5/7/2023

05/04/2023

ASK ME FAIR THIS SUNDAY 2-4:30. We are suggesting this event for ages 8-15 but it is truly appropriate for all ages, so bring the whole family. Swag and snacks provided along with a great afternoon. Last year everyone of all ages was engaged and interested, future family dinner conversations were seeded and magic happened. Here is a link to preregister https://www.eventkeeper.com/mars/xpages/B/BOXLIB/EK.cfm?curOrg=BOXLIB&curMonth=5&curYear=2023&SelectedDate=5/7/2023 #5/7/2023 We will accept walkins, but preregistration help to make certain that we have enough prizes and snacks.

The Ask Me Fair is a round robin, interactive Living Library type event, where children are invited to ask questions, listen to, and converse with awesome presenters from a wide range of backgrounds, who are happy to share their stories and life experiences. The format is casual, small, conversation groups tailored to the participants for up to 15 minutes each presenter with question prompts to make everyone welcome and comfortable. We invite everyone to come with an open heart and an open mind to listen and learn, and go home with a better understanding about our world and the people in it hopefully having made some new friends. Guiding principles: 1. Like books, every individual has an interesting, important story to share and there is value in listening and dialogue. 2. Opinions can change.

05/03/2023

Jae is such an awesome human, that we asked them back from last year. Meet one of the coolest artists we know this weekend at the ASK ME FAIR May 7, 2023, 2-4:30 pm. Open Door Theater, Sargent Memorial Library, and Danny’s Place Youth Services invite youth ages 8 through 15 (with their caregivers) to a special event to meet and talk with some awesome grown-ups. Event is Free but Registration for this event is required. find full details and link to register here through the Event Calendar here https://www.eventkeeper.com/mars/xpages/B/BOXLIB/EK.cfm?curOrg=BOXLIB&curMonth=5&curYear=2023&SelectedDate=5/7/2023 #5/7/2023
At the Ask Me Fair, children are invited to ask questions, listen to, and converse with presenters from a wide range of backgrounds, and who are happy to share their stories and experiences. We invite everyone to come with an open heart and an open mind to listen and learn, and go home with a better understanding about our world and the people in it. (Full body photo of an Asian-American, non binary artist with shoulder length hair in amber glasses and a rust colored pants suit with a textured multicolored full length vest. Captioned Meet Me at the ASK ME FAIR and a word cloud made up of their Bio. full bio in the comments)

05/02/2023

Last year Dr. Minkara had to cancel her appearance at the Ask Me Fair as she was scheduled for a SPACE FLIGHT!! Come and meet her this weekend at the ASK ME FAIR and ask her about it. May 7, 2023, 2-4:30 pm. Open Door Theater, Sargent Memorial Library, and Danny’s Place Youth Services invite youth ages 8 through 15 (with their caregivers) to a special event to meet and talk with some awesome grown-ups. Event is Free but Registration for this event is required. find full details and link to register here through the Event Calendar here https://www.eventkeeper.com/mars/xpages/B/BOXLIB/EK.cfm?curOrg=BOXLIB&curMonth=5&curYear=2023&SelectedDate=5/7/2023 #5/7/2023
At the Ask Me Fair, children are invited to ask questions, listen to, and converse with presenters from a wide range of backgrounds, and who are happy to share their stories and experiences. We invite everyone to come with an open heart and an open mind to listen and learn, and go home with a better understanding about our world and the people in it. (Graphic of Photo of a Image of a brilliant scientist wearing a suit and brightly colored hijab. Captioned Meet Me at the ASK ME FAIR and a word cloud made up of her Bio. full bio in the comments)

05/01/2023

Another awesome human that you will meet on Sunday is Chris Merritt, you may have just seen him as the evil genius Plankton in the SpongeBob Musical, but Sunday, he will be the warm, wonderful, kind Chris (who is still a genius but not evil or a microscopic plankton) and he is eager to take your questions. ASK ME FAIR May 7, 2023, 2-4:30 pm. Open Door Theater, Sargent Memorial Library, and Danny’s Place Youth Services invite youth ages 8 through 15 (with their caregivers) to a special event to meet and talk with some awesome grown-ups. Event is Free but Registration for this event is required. find full details and link to register here through the Event Calendar here https://www.eventkeeper.com/mars/xpages/B/BOXLIB/EK.cfm?curOrg=BOXLIB&curMonth=5&curYear=2023&SelectedDate=5/7/2023 #5/7/2023
At the Ask Me Fair, children are invited to ask questions, listen to, and converse with presenters from a wide range of backgrounds, and who are happy to share their stories and experiences. We invite everyone to come with an open heart and an open mind to listen and learn, and go home with a better understanding about our world and the people in it. (Graphic of Photo of a mixed race smiling male in a Star Wars t-shirt with long awesomely textured hair pulled back in a pony tail and a goatee framing his smile. Captioned Meet Me at the ASK ME FAIR and a word cloud made up of his Bio. full bio in the comments)

04/29/2023

Standing in community and embracing the Herdeg family at the Celebration of Life well lived of a warm and wonderful woman, Pat Herdeg. May her memory be a blessing. (Photo of Open Door Alum spanning 20 years outdoors at Nara Park)

04/27/2023

Have you met Dave Heard? Recently seen on screen in the Whitney Houston Biopic, "I Wanna Dance with Somebody", Dave is another awesome human that you will meet. May 7, 2023, 2-4:30 pm. Open Door Theater, Sargent Memorial Library, and Danny’s Place Youth Services invite youth ages 8 through 15 (with their caregivers) to a special event to meet and talk with some awesome grown-ups. Event is Free but Registration for this event is required. find full details and link to register here through the Event Calendar here https://www.eventkeeper.com/mars/xpages/B/BOXLIB/EK.cfm?curOrg=BOXLIB&curMonth=5&curYear=2023&SelectedDate=5/7/2023 #5/7/2023
At the Ask Me Fair, children are invited to ask questions, listen to, and converse with presenters from a wide range of backgrounds, and who are happy to share their stories and experiences. We invite everyone to come with an open heart and an open mind to listen and learn, and go home with a better understanding about our world and the people in it. (Graphic of Getty Image red carpet photo of a smiling black bald actor in a red paisley tuxedo with his adorable toddler in a matching dress on his hip and a word cloud made up of his Bio. Meet Me at the ASK ME FAIR, full bio in the comments)

04/26/2023

Here is one of the Awesome Humans that you will meet. May 7, 2023, 2-4:30 pm. Open Door Theater, Sargent Memorial Library, and Danny’s Place Youth Services invite youth ages 8 through 15 (with their caregivers) to a special event to meet and talk with some awesome grown-ups. Event is Free but Registration for this event is required. find full details and link to register here through the Event Calendar here https://www.eventkeeper.com/mars/xpages/B/BOXLIB/EK.cfm?curOrg=BOXLIB&curMonth=5&curYear=2023&SelectedDate=5/7/2023 #5/7/2023
At the Ask Me Fair, children are invited to ask questions, listen to, and converse with presenters from a wide range of backgrounds, and who are happy to share their stories and experiences. We invite everyone to come with an open heart and an open mind to listen and learn, and go home with a better understanding about our world and the people in it.
(Photo of Kerry Thompson mid dance with partner in a Silent Rhythms tank top and wide grin saying meet me at the ask me fair with word cloud format excepts of her bio and description. Full Bio in Comments)

04/25/2023

Are you coming to the ASK ME FAIR on May 7? Here is one of the Awesome Humans that you will meet. May 7, 2023, 2-4:30 pm. Open Door Theater, Sargent Memorial Library, and Danny’s Place Youth Services invite youth ages 8 through 15 (with their caregivers) to a special event to meet and talk with some awesome grown-ups. Event is Free but Registration for this event is required. find full details and link to register here through the Event Calendar here https://www.eventkeeper.com/mars/xpages/B/BOXLIB/EK.cfm?curOrg=BOXLIB&curMonth=5&curYear=2023&SelectedDate=5/7/2023 #5/7/2023

At the Ask Me Fair, children are invited to ask questions, listen to, and converse with presenters from a wide range of backgrounds, and who are happy to share their stories and experiences. We invite everyone to come with an open heart and an open mind to listen and learn, and go home with a better understanding about our world and the people in it.

The purpose of this event is to provide a safe space for intentional and respectful conversations that will promote empathy, acceptance and tolerance while dispelling stereotypes and fear of those who are different. We hope that the unfamiliar can become known and understood through thoughtful questions and answers; and that people of different backgrounds and experiences can educate, learn from, and appreciate each other. (Photo of Tiana Brote, a fair skinned smiling young woman with pulled back hair and eyebrow art in a black tshirt with a graphic that says MEET ME AT THE ASK ME FAIR and excepts her bio in word cloud format. Full Bio in the comments.)

04/24/2023

May 7, 2023, 2-4:30 pm. Open Door Theater, Sargent Memorial Library, and Danny’s Place Youth Services invite youth ages 8 through 15 (with their caregivers) to a special event to meet and talk with some awesome grown-ups. Event is Free but Registration for this event is required. find full details and link to register here through the Event Calendar. https://www.eventkeeper.com/mars/xpages/B/BOXLIB/EK.cfm?curOrg=BOXLIB&curMonth=5&curYear=2023&SelectedDate=5/7/2023 #5/7/2023

At the Ask Me Fair, children are invited to ask questions, listen to, and converse with presenters from a wide range of backgrounds, and who are happy to share their stories and experiences. We invite everyone to come with an open heart and an open mind to listen and learn, and go home with a better understanding about our world and the people in it.

The purpose of this event is to provide a safe space for intentional and respectful conversations that will promote empathy, acceptance and tolerance while dispelling stereotypes and fear of those who are different. We hope that the unfamiliar can become known and understood through thoughtful questions and answers; and that people of different backgrounds and experiences can educate, learn from, and appreciate each other.

Format: Participants will have the opportunity to meet six to eight presenters from different backgrounds and of different identities. After a brief self-introduction of all the guest presenters, the presenters will move to different tables and the attendees will rotate through in small groups. Each group will have up to 15 minutes with each presenter. We invite and encourage the participants to use this time to respectfully ask any questions they may have of the presenter’s thoughts and experiences that are related to their personal identity. Event will be held at the Sargent Memorial Library, 427 Massachusetts Avenue, Boxborough, MA 01719.

Special note: ASL and pro tactile Interpreters, materials in braille, and an audio describer will be provided at the event. Presenters may have service dogs with them. Please never touch a service dog in vest. They are working.


This project is funded by the Massachusetts Cultural Council.

04/03/2023

Did you attend one of our SpongeBob performances? Would you be willing to give us some feedback to help us improve our practices? Thanks!

Thank you for attending Open Door Theater 's production of Nickelodeon The SpongeBob Musical (Based on the series by Stephen Hillenburg Book by Kyle Jarrow Original Songs by Yolanda Adams, Steven Tyler and Joe Perry of Aerosmith, Sara Bareilles, Jonathan Coulton, Alex Ebert of Edward Sharpe & The Ma...

04/02/2023

Closing Show tomorrow. Who's with us? (Photo of Actress Sabrina Dennison playing Patrick Star and Actress Heather Pruiksma voicing Patrick, and the Super Sea Star Sardine Ensemble behind them hands in the air in front of a star backdrop)(photo credit Jeff Heimbach) https://beta.purplepass.com/organizer/44973

04/01/2023

Actual Photo of SpongeBob and Sandy when we told them that there are 2 shows tomorrow... Do you have your tickets yet? www.opendoortheater.org Photo Credit Jeff Heimbach

03/31/2023

We can't wait to see you in Bikini Bottom for our 4 show weekend. www.opendoortheater.org (Photo of the whole multicolored/multicultural cast and crew on stage in front of the projection/captioned backdrop with text reading Open Door Theater, Nickelodeon The SpongeBob Musical 2023) Photo credit Jeff Heimbach

Over 30 years of family-inclusive, accessible community theater in Acton. http://www.opendoortheater.org

03/30/2023

We are not just simple sponges. We can not wait to show you what makes this show so complex (spoiler alert- It is us). Four More chances to soak it in this weekend but hurry, tickets are being absorbed quickly. https://beta.purplepass.com/organizer/44973 Photo Credit Jeff Heimbach

03/29/2023

The Electric Skates are skating through this week towards 4 more shows starting Friday. Rock and Roll! (Photo of 4 awesome actresses dancing on scooters in front of an Electric Skates (ES) Marquis) Photo credit Jeff Heimbach Tickets here. https://beta.purplepass.com/organizer/44973

03/28/2023

We have Audio Described Performances Friday March 31 at 7, Saturday April 1 at 1 and Sunday April 2 at 1. Audio Describers are Cori Couture and Dave Heard. Come 45 minutes ahead if you want a tactile tour. Our Preshow Description can be found here. https://www.opendoortheater.org/welcome/accessibility/

03/27/2023

Mondays, Am I right? We may be wiped out now but we will be energized and effervescent again on Friday. Come check out this show. www.opendoortheater.org (photo of Perch Perkins and the Mayor checking on Old Man Jenkins while townfish look on) photo credit Jeff Heimbach

03/27/2023

4 more chances to soak in this star spangled spectacle. Photo credit Jeff Heimbach www.opendoortheater.org

03/26/2023

Spent another day in Bikini Bottom with SpongeBob, Patrick, Sandy, Plankton, Mr. Crabs and crew. Come on in. The water is fine. Five more chances to soak in this effervescent spectacle. Photo Credit Jeff Heimbach. www.opendoortheater.org