04/10/2026
The Newton Theatre Company lost one of our founders, Mrs. Nancy Brand, on Tuesday, April 7, 2026 at the ripe young age of 102. Mrs. Nancy was a delight to be around, whether she was directing, on the stage itself, leading our meetings, or guiding us along the way. She truly loved everything about this theatre and she was our biggest cheerleader, even from afar. She last attended a meeting and a production in 2023.
It was the birth of her idea back in 1990 which led to a group of citizens forming what was then known as the Newton Little Theatre. The name was later changed to the Newton Theatre Company. Mrs. Nancy served as our first president and served on the board in many capacities afterwards, mostly as Artistic Director. In 2013, the newly completed courtyard adjacent to the theatre was dedicated in her name in honor of her 90th birthday and is known as the Nancy Brand Courtyard. She was also the first honoree to be named to the Marquee of Honor, the theatre’s highest honor, for her many years of dedicated voluntary service. In 2021, the Board of Directors voted unanimously to grant her a Lifetime Membership and named her as Artistic Director Emerita. (If you do the math, you will find she was 67 years old when she helped form the NTC. She was a mere 90 when she made the decision to move to Jackson to an apartment at an assisted living facility to be near her sister and other family members in the area. Up until that time, she was still very active with the theatre.) Amazing!
Once again, our loss is certainly heaven’s gain. Anyone who knew Mrs. Nancy also knew of her strong faith and her love of singing. We just know that today she has everyone gathered around a piano, singing hymns with her as she plays.
Go fly high, Mrs. Nancy. You will always be remembered as a precious and vital part of our history!
