Young Actors Theater Company

In its third season, the ever popular Young Actors Theater Company will be presenting four (4) weeks of classic and original tales re-imagined for the stage.  Students between the ages of 5 and 14 will discover how to develop and harness their individual energy through improvisational games and body work.  In addition to performing, students will work together to build/decorate sets, costumes, and props for their show.

Organized into three age groups (5-7, 8-10, 11-14) students will be guided by a group mentor who will lead them through the week’s activities.  On the last day of camp, students will present their work for a live audience.

Day/Time:  Monday-Friday ~ 9am-1pm
Location: Dreamland Main Theater
Tuition: $375

DATES:
Week 1: July 9^th – 13^th – Rapunzel: De-Tangled
Week 2: July 16^th – 20^th – The Flying Trunk
Week 3: July 23^rd – 27^th – Beauty Meets the Beast
Week 4: July 30^th – Aug. 3^rd – The Dancing Princesses

The Senior Theater Company

From the hit motion pictures, television series, and international stage success, FAME is nothing short of a global phenomenon.
Set during the last years of New York City’s celebrated High School of the Performing Arts on 46th Street (1980-1984), FAME JR. is the bittersweet but ultimately inspiring story of a diverse group of students as they commit to four years of grueling artistic and academic work. With candor, humor and insight, the show explores the issues that confront many young people today.

Tuition:  FREE (This program was generously underwritten by Annie Bissinger & Mark Poor)

(Sr. Company will be limited to 25 students and accepted on an audition basis)

Casting Ages: 14-20
Audition Dates:  July 2^nd 6pm
Location:  Dreamland Theater

Show Dates:  Aug. 7^th, 9^th, 14, & 16^th at 4pm; Aug. 10^th & 17^th at 11am

The Junior Theater Company 

With its poignant story and catchy Caribbean flavored score, ONCE ON THIS ISLAND JR. is a feast for the heart, mind, and soul…In almost non-stop song and dance, the show tells the story of Ti Moune, a peasant girl who rescues and falls in love with Daniel, a wealthy boy from the other side of her island. When Daniel is returned to his people, the fantastical gods who rule the island guide Ti Moune on a quest to test the strength of her love against the powerful forces of prejudice, hatred and death.

Tuition:  $375 (All will be accepted into company)
Casting Ages: Up to age 14
Audition Dates:  July 2^nd at 11am & July 3^rd at 5:30pm
Location:  Dreamland Theater

Show Dates:  Aug. 15^th, 17^th, 22^nd & 24^th at 4pm; Aug. 18^th & 25^th at 11am

Come learn about the Dreamland project and share in our joy about how close we are to opening, thanks in large part to friends like you who have supported us!

Jonathan Anastos, New General Manager of the Dreamland

Nantucket, MA, March 5, 2012—Following an extensive nationwide search for the first General Manager of The Dreamland Theater, set to open within months, The Nantucket Dreamland Foundation has announced the hiring of longtime Nantucket resident Jonathan Anastos as General Manager.

Anastos will be responsible for daily operations of the building, its staff, theater spaces, special programming and hospitality. He will report to the Board of Directors and work to help achieve the vision of the Foundation that the successful business operations of the theater and other venue spaces will come to fund the nonprofit, community oriented programming mission of The Dreamland Foundation.

Since posting the General Manager opportunity in December 2011, the Foundation received more than 65 applications from as far away as Ireland. A Task Force of the Board worked closely through an intensive process of reviews and interviews to reach its selection.

“We are truly delighted to welcome Jonathan to The Dreamland Theater, or perhaps you might even say, ‘back’ to the theater,” said Wendy Schmidt, Chairman of The Nantucket Dreamland Foundation. “His passion for the movie business, commitment to the institution and deep roots within the Nantucket community, combined with his family’s historic relationship with this building make him in many ways an ideal candidate. While the new Dreamland will be operating on an unprecedented year round scale, we are confident that Jonathan will embrace the many new opportunities offered by this state of the art facility.”

Anastos, 48, spent many summer seasons of his young adult life working at The Dreamland Theater, in a variety of roles from ticket taker and usher to General Manager, a position he held from 1993 until 2004. He has a B.A. in Economics from Tulane University, and has spent his career in banking, property management and real estate.

Anastos , a third generation Nantucketer, has a deep personal connection to The Dreamland. He says, “It was a privilege to be one of the many founding family members who ran The Dreamland in the past. I am now honored to have the opportunity to be part of The Dreamland’s future and all it has to offer the community with its modern technology and programming features.

“My goal is to make sure The Dreamland is a welcoming environment for all. People have often shared their fond memories of The Dreamland with me, and I am confident these special memories will continue for generations to come.”

Anastos’ great uncle, John K. Anastos, was a partner early in the 20th century in purchasing the building from its incarnation as part of The Nantucket Hotel on Brant Point since 1880. The building was floated by barge in 1906 to its present location, intended to be used as a lodge room, dance hall and moving picture theater.

Moving pictures, from silent to talkies, along with “polite vaudeville” filled the theater until its renovation in 1922. By 1926, The Anastos family, as part of The Dreamland Theater Partnership, operated the building until its sale in 2004 to Boston developer Haim Zahavi. The partnership was said to have been the oldest independent movie theater operation in the United States.

Angela Raynor, who served on the search committee spoke about the contract signing that occurred in the new Harborview Room last Saturday and welcomed Anastos to The Dreamland. “It was very emotional to walk into the theater with Jonathan. I cannot think of a better steward for this building—someone who will not only carry on his family’s legacy and embrace the historic culture of Nantucket, but who also will develop all possibilities for the next era of The Dreamland. We interviewed so many qualified applicants, and are grateful for the level of talent and interest we had in this position.”

Anastos is slated to begin working at The Dreamland this week, as plans move ahead for the completion of the building’s interior systems and its series of public openings.

“The Dreamland is becoming the hybrid organization we envisioned,” said Board member Bill Liddle. “With the hiring of Jonathan as our General Manager, the business of the building can get underway in earnest. The business is the complement, and the revenue stream we see driving the impact of this dynamic new anchor for the downtown and the island community.”

On the foundation side, Patty Roggeveen will continue in her position as Executive Director of The Nantucket Dreamland Foundation, overseeing ongoing community programming, membership and working to raise the remaining funds needed to complete the theater’s construction and a start up costs.

Many thanks to all who have participated this past year. Twelve families have won seats in the theater, and they are:

• Jon & Patty Stone
• Mary Kay & Mal Condon
• Michael & Jordy Fleischut
• Skyler Wright
• Stephanie & Johanna Johnson
• Chris Kling & Laura Fletcher
• Helene & Tim Weld
• Peter Loughman
• Kit Noble
• Rob Cocuzzo
• Brian & Charlene Chadwick
• Juliette Sutherland

Congrats, Rob!

The MCFF reported that this year they received an overwhelming number of applications, much more than they anticipated.

Their review panel was composed of individuals knowledgeable in cultural facilities development, capital fundraising, financial management, historic preservation, construction and strategic planning.

The Nantucket Dreamland Foundation applied for funding for innovative audio visual, light and sound technology that will enable Dreamland Theater to meet it’s mission, “to enrich the cultural and intellectual life of Nantucket by providing year-round films, educational programs, and a venue for activities that engage Nantucket in the evolving world of digital entertainment and education in one of America’s oldest theaters.”

Dreamland Executive Director, Patty Roggeveen expressed her gratitude to State Senator Dan Wolfe and Representative Tim Madden.  “The support of our representatives for this project was key to the success of this milestone, in achieving our first major arts grant,” she said.  “This award puts our organization on the map, and we are so thankful.”

The Massachusetts Cultural Facilities Fund (MCFF) is an initiative of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.  Since 2007, the Fund has awarded $44 million in grants to 209 cultural organizations across Massachusetts.  The awards recognize projects that are “thoughtfully planned and developed, that contribute to the cultural and economic lives of their communities, and are supported by significant matching contributions from the private sector.”

Wendy Schmidt, President of The Nantucket Dreamland Foundation, said “This grant is a tremendous endorsement of our mission, and reflects the quality of the team who has worked so hard to bring this theater back to life in a new and exciting way.  We are reaching the Nantucket community, businesses, and beyond, building the broad support we know exists among all those who think of Nantucket as a special American place.

In a other news, The Dreamland announced a gift from The Tupancy-Harris Foundation for $25,000, joining a growing list of supporters.

The support from these latest grants brings the total amount raised to over $28MM of the $32MM needed to complete the project, slated to open late Spring 2012.

To learn more about the Dreamland project or to schedule a tour of the building, please email the Dreamland at info@nantucketdreamland.org, or phone their office at 508-332-4822.

Many thanks to all who participated. There are three chances left to win a plaque with your family name on a seat in the new main theater -tickets are 1 for $10, 3 for $25 and are available at the Hub on Main Street or at our office on 12 Oak Street, Shop A. The next drawing is November 1st.

Congrats, Rob!

Dreamland Weathervane Contest

The Nantucket Dreamland Foundation is excited to announce its 2011 Dreamland Theater Weathervane Design Contest open to all island students in grades 6-12. The selected images will be made into the weathervane that will sit atop the new Dreamland Theater on 17 South Water Street.  The design must be the artist’s original creation and shall not be copied or duplicated from previously published art, including photographs, clip art or electronic graphic images.  

Entries must be received by the Dreamland Foundation, PO Box 989, Nantucket, MA 02554 or dropped off at their offices, 12 Oak Street, no later than 4pm Thursday, December 1, 2012.

Each contestant must verify that he or she meets all eligibility requirements and attach the completed and signed entry form with a parent’s or guardian’s and teacher’s (if applicable) signature. All designs submitted will become the sole property of the Nantucket Dreamland Foundation. Each student may submit only one entry. Entries will not be returned.

You may download a rules and entry form here. For questions or more information, please phone the Dreamland office at 508-332-4822.

Many thanks to all who participated. There are four chances left to win a plaque with your family name on a seat in the new main theater -tickets are 1 for $10, 3 for $25 and are available at the Hub on Main Street or at our office on 12 Oak Street, Shop A. The next drawing is November 1st.

Congrats, Kit!