December 1, 2022

Dear Friends,

Addressing the obvious, this is our annual appeal letter. It’s our big, direct ask. We are so grateful for all the support we have received, especially during the Covid Years. Please think of us once more as you plan your charitable giving. We, at The Studio, have every intention to fulfill your faith in our organization as we build for the future, so keep reading!

The Covid experience and its economic impact have left us all standing on new legs. We can’t help but notice the new patterns that have emerged in the arts and business landscapes – some out of pure necessity, others have come through resourcefulness, ingenuity, and creative visioning.

The Actors Studio has certainly been doing our fair share of shape shifting as we adjust to ever-changing circumstances.  Our most exciting change has been the addition of Kimm Wilkinson to our management team this year. For those of you who don’t know Kimm yet, for over 15 years she filled every management position, except tech director, at The Firehouse Center for The Arts, including five years as Artistic Director. Additionally, Kimm served on the Board of Directors for Theater in The Open.

We are thrilled to announce that, as of January 1, 2023, Kimm will step into the role of Executive Director of our organization, bringing her vast artistic and management experience to the helm. We joyfully welcome Kimm to this leadership position as she builds on the legacy of The Actors Studio. As for me, in addition to directing selected productions, beginning in February with Alan Ayckbourn’s fast paced comedy, Communicating Doors, I will be continuing to teach my ongoing classes and will add new classes. We are excited to be making this change now. It seems the perfect time.

I am proud and impressed with the capacity for change and growth that has been demonstrated by our board of directors and all our artists and volunteers during these challenging times. Our move to Amesbury has been very positive, successfully expanding into a larger facility increasing our capacity by nearly 50%. Our loyal audiences have embraced our expansion with enthusiasm.

Leaving Newburyport was difficult after thirty-one gratifying years. We have been warmly welcomed by Amesbury; the Chamber of Commerce, the Mayor’s office, the cultural council, and, most importantly, the theater-going public.  The art scene in Amesbury is exciting and inspiring and we are pleased to be a part of it, as our theater family continues to grow.

In an unforeseen turn of events, we will be looking for a new location in the New Year, as there are obstacles to making the building we are in ADA accessible. Our programming and classes will continue uninterrupted as we conduct our search. Together we have built this thriving creative community over the past thirty plus years, I invite you to help us write our next chapter.

Sincerely,

Marc Clopton
Executive Director

The Actors Studio of Newburyport is a 501(c)(3) corporation.