News & Announcements

NANTUCKET, MA — Nantucket Dreamland is expanding its youth arts education initiatives through a new initiative with Nantucket Lighthouse School, welcoming students to the Dreamland stage for a day of immersive performing arts workshops this week.

The collaboration marks an important step in Dreamland’s efforts to broaden access to high-quality theatre education for island students and to build meaningful relationships with local schools as part of a growing educational initiative.

Students from Nantucket Lighthouse School will participate in two age-specific workshops held on the Dreamland stage:

Drama Quest Workshop
Kindergarten & Grade 1
An imaginative, high-energy theatre experience that guides students through active role-playing and collaborative storytelling. Designed to build communication skills, creativity, and confidence, Drama Quest encourages young participants to solve problems and explore new worlds together.

Mime Workshop
Grades 2–5
Focused on non-verbal storytelling, this workshop introduces students to the fundamentals of physical theatre. Through movement, body language, and theatrical illusion, students learn how to communicate powerful stories without speaking a word.

“These workshops represent an exciting expansion of our youth educational programming,” said Alicia Carney, Executive Director of Nantucket Dreamland. “We are committed to creating meaningful, accessible arts experiences for island students, and collaborations like this allow us to deepen our impact while building a model for engagement with additional schools in the future.”

Nantucket Lighthouse School workshops are part of a broader strategy at Nantucket Dreamland to increase exposure to the performing arts through structured, curriculum-aligned programming that complements classroom learning. By hosting students on the Dreamland stage, the program offers a professional creative environment where children can explore self-expression, teamwork, and storytelling in a supportive setting. “Nantucket Lighthouse School is thrilled to participate in the Missoula Children’s Theatre. The program aligns beautifully with our arts-integrated curriculum that is rooted in wonder, beauty, and real-world experience. We are grateful for the collaboration and support of Dreamland Nantucket,” shared Emily Miller, Head of Nantucket Lighthouse School.

As Nantucket Dreamland continues to expand its youth initiatives, this collaboration serves as an early example of how the organization aims to work alongside island schools to strengthen arts access and build sustainable educational programming.

In addition to the in-school collaboration with Nantucket Lighthouse School, Nantucket Dreamland is also hosting a week-long Missoula Children’s Theatre residency from March 2–7, culminating in public performances of Beauty Lou and the Country Beast. Island students in grades 1–12 are invited to audition and participate in the full production, and single-day theatre workshops are also being offered to children island-wide.

All youth programming is offered free of charge thanks to the support of the Dreamland Board of Directors, proceeds from the annual DreamBIG fundraiser, and the Tammis Day Foundation.

For more information about youth programming at Nantucket Dreamland, visit nantucketdreamland.org

NANTUCKET, MA— The Maria Mitchell Association, in collaboration with the Nantucket Dreamland, invites the community to two unforgettable and entertaining performances featuring Doktor Kaboom: Under Pressure! on Friday, March 13 and Saturday, March 14. 

Doktor Kaboom’s interactive Science Comedy shows engage audiences of all ages. In Under Pressure!, Kaboom illustrates physical science concepts that are also metaphors for real-life mental and emotional pressures, validating what students may feel, while sharing tools for dealing with life’s challenges. Blending big ideas, explosive demonstrations, and humor, Kaboom keeps audiences riveted with interest and rolling with laughter. Hailed as, “part Mister Wizard, part Mr. Rogers,” Kaboom delights patrons with curiosity, creativity, and charm. Both performances are FREE to the public. 

This event is possible due to a grant from the Remain Nantucket Fund at the Community Foundation for Nantucket.  

Reflecting on both the impact of the performance and the partnerships that made it possible, MMA Executive Director, Joanna Roche, shared, “A heartfelt thank you to the Community Foundation for the generous grant that made it possible to bring Doktor Kaboom to Nantucket, and to the Nantucket Dreamland for hosting this extraordinary performance. I’ve known the good Doktor for nearly twenty years, and I have no doubt that his unique blend of humor, magic, and science will not only make you laugh, but also leave you with a renewed sense of wonder and a deeper connection to the world around you.”

The Friday performance will be followed by an Ice Cream Bar, generously sponsored by Island Kitchen, and a photo
opportunity with Doktor Kaboom in the Harborview Room.

Event Details:

• Dates and Times: Friday, March 13 at 7pm and Saturday, March 14 at 3pm
• Location: Dreamland Theatre, 17 South Water Street
• Special Offering: Friday, March 13 – Post-performance Ice Cream Bar in the Dreamland Theatre Harborview
  Room, generously sponsored by Island Kitchen, plus a photo opportunity with Doktor Kaboom
• Tickets: Available at https://www.nantucketdreamland.org/events/doktor-kaboom-under-pressure
• Cost: Free

This community event kicks off another free collaborative event, the annual Nantucket STEAM Festival, taking place Saturday, March 14, 2026 at the Nantucket High School Gymnasium from 10am – 2pm. This event features hands-on activities celebrating science, technology, engineering, art, and mathematics from over twenty community organizations. A sensory-friendly half house begins at 9:30am.

Doktor Kaboom! was created, and is performed, by actor and comedian David Epley, who has discovered two passions in his life: science and mathematics. Epley first explored his love of hands-on learning, chemistry, and physics at the North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics and later studied at the university level, exploring a degree in Chemical Engineering. Epley, a performer for over twenty years, has reached over 2,000,000 students and families, and has performed over 2,000 live shows worldwide. Epley lives in Seattle, Washington.

About the Nantucket Dreamland: The Nantucket Dreamland is a nonprofit organization dedicated to enriching the cultural and intellectual life of Nantucket by providing year-round films, educational programs, and a venue for community activities that engage Nantucket in the evolving world of entertainment and education. The Dreamland’s mission is to build community on Nantucket year-round by bringing people together to share experiences through film, art, culture, and learning.

About the Maria Mitchell Association: The Maria Mitchell Association was founded in 1902 to preserve the legacy of Nantucket native astronomer, naturalist, librarian, and educator, Maria Mitchell. After she discovered a comet in 1847, Mitchell’s international fame led to many achievements and awards, including an appointment as the first professor of astronomy at Vassar College. Maria Mitchell believed in “learning by doing” and today that philosophy is reflected in the MMA’s mission statement, programs, research projects, and other activities. The Maria Mitchell Association operates two observatories, a natural science museum, an aquarium, a research center, and preserves the historic birthplace of Maria Mitchell. A wide variety of science and history-related programming is offered throughout the year for people of all ages.

Contact: Joanna Roche, MMA Executive Director
[email protected]

NANTUCKET, MA — This March, the Nantucket Dreamland will bring the Missoula Children’s Theatre (MCT), the nation’s largest touring children’s theatre organization, to the island for a week-long musical theatre residency and theatre workshops offered completely free to Nantucket families.

From Monday, March 2 through Saturday, March 7, 2026, up to 60 local students in grades 1-12 will audition, rehearse, and perform a full production of Beauty Lou and the Country Beast on the Dreamland stage, working alongside Missoula’s professional touring actor-directors.

The residency and workshops are being provided at no cost thanks to the support of the Dreamland Board of Directors, proceeds from the annual DreamBIG fundraiser, and the Tammis Day Foundation.

“Bringing Missoula Children’s Theatre to Nantucket allows us to offer our young people a nationally recognized, professional theatre experience right here on the island,” said Alicia Carney, Executive Director of the Nantucket Dreamland Foundation. “By making this residency free to families, we are investing directly in the creativity, confidence, and future of Nantucket’s children.”

The Missoula Children’s Theatre has toured for more than 50 years, visiting nearly 1,000 communities each year across the United States and internationally. Each tour arrives with a complete set, costumes, lighting, and professional actor-directors, casting local children to create a full musical production in just five days.

Students will audition on Monday, March 2 at 3:00 PM and then rehearse daily after school with Missoula’s professional touring actor-directors, learning lines, songs, choreography, and stagecraft before performing for the public just five days later.

Students will be led by Missoula Children’s Theatre touring actor-directors Liliana Cudly and Izabella Londoño, who will guide the cast through auditions, rehearsals, and performances throughout the week. Both instructors have completed national criminal background checks and fingerprinting through Missoula Children’s Theatre’s touring program, along with extensive professional reference checks, ensuring a safe and supportive learning environment for all participants.

“This residency gives Nantucket students a chance to experience what it’s really like to be part of a professional production,” said Project Manager, Jordana Fleischut. “From auditions to rehearsals to performing on the Dreamland stage, they’ll be working side by side with Missoula Children’s Theatre’s touring directors in a way that’s both exciting and incredibly meaningful.”

This year’s production, Beauty Lou and the Country Beast, is a lively, country-western adaptation of the classic fairy tale Beauty & the Beast, filled with humor, music, and heart. The experience culminates in two public performances on Saturday, March 7 at 2:00 PM and 7:00 PM on the Nantucket Dreamland stage.

Space is limited to approximately 60 cast members and up to four Assistant Directors, offering students interested in leadership or technical theatre the opportunity to work closely with Missoula Children’s Theatre’s touring professionals. Participation is completely free.

Two Ways to Participate

In addition to the full-week residency, Dreamland is also offering an Explorers Program for children who cannot commit to the full week but still want to experience theatre in a fun and engaging way. These one-hour, hands-on theatre workshops are open to all Nantucket students, whether or not they are participating in the week-long production, and each workshop includes a ticket to see Beauty Lou and the Country Beast.

Workshops will be held on Saturday, March 7:
• Drama Quest Workshop (Kindergarten through 3rd Grade) — 12:00–1:00 PM
• Acting Workshop (4th through 8th Grade) — 4:00–5:00 PM

Auditions & Registration

Students in grades 1–12 who wish to participate in the full production must register in advance and attend a mandatory group audition on Monday, March 2 at 3:00 PM at the Nantucket Dreamland. No advance preparation is required.

Space is limited to approximately 60 cast members and four assistant directors.

Registration for all programs opens Saturday, February 14 at noon at nantucketdreamland.org.

For more information, contact:
Jordana Fleischut, Project Manager
[email protected] | 508-635-1555

Olivia Hull, Marketing, Community Outreach, and Design Manager
[email protected] | 508-360-7818

Nantucket, MA — January 23, 2026
The Nantucket Dreamland has announced a strategic expansion of its senior development leadership team — reinforcing the organization’s long-term commitment to sustainability, institutional excellence, and year-round community impact as Nantucket’s nonprofit film, performing arts, and cultural center.

This investment reflects a new era of leadership and organizational maturity, strengthening the internal capacity required to support the Dreamland’s expansive calendar of film, live performance, education, and community programs that take place throughout the year.

“For more than a century, the Dreamland has served as a gathering place for shared cultural experiences,” said Alicia Carney, Executive Director of the Nantucket Dreamland. “As our programming, partnerships, and community reach continue to grow, it is essential that our internal infrastructure grows alongside it. These leadership appointments represent a thoughtful investment in the people, systems, and relationships that ensure Dreamland remains strong, accessible, and vibrant for generations to come.”

The expanded development leadership team brings together complementary expertise across advancement strategy, donor engagement, and philanthropic partnerships — reflecting a deliberate, long-term approach to stewarding the resources that make year-round cultural programming possible.

Amey Bissonnette, Senior Director of Development – Strategy & Endowment, brings more than a decade of advancement leadership experience across higher education, national nonprofits, and public charter education. Most recently, she served as senior leadership at Global Learning Charter Public School, where she led the organization’s first capital campaign, raising $8.5 million for the Joan and Irwin Jacobs Center for STEAM Education. Her work encompassed campaign strategy, donor relations, community partnerships, and long-range sustainability planning. Earlier in her career, Bissonnette held advancement roles at Brown University, supporting both the Warren Alpert Medical School and the Brown Annual Fund, and served as Development Manager for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, overseeing corporate partnerships and large-scale Walk MS initiatives across Massachusetts. She has been recognized with the Sun Chronicle’s 20 Under 40 Award and the New England Real Estate Journal’s Women in Real Estate Spotlight, honoring her leadership and impact in institutional development.

Andrea “Andie” Pouliot, Senior Director of Development – Donor Engagement & Philanthropic Events, joins the organization with more than two decades of experience leading large-scale fundraising events, strategic partnerships, and marketing initiatives for cultural institutions and national brands. She is the Founder and CEO of Coastal Events Consulting, with operations in Boston and Key West. Previously, Pouliot served as Head of Events and Cultivation at MoCA Westport, producing record-setting galas and introducing innovative donor engagement models that strengthened the museum’s long-term sustainability. She also led major event and marketing initiatives for The Hemingway Rum Company, including the nationally recognized Key West Wine & Food Festival. Earlier in her career, Pouliot spent two decades as Managing Director of Wedding Day Expositions, overseeing multi-market operations and securing national sponsorships with brands including Williams-Sonoma and Men’s Wearhouse.

Bonnie Eppolito, Senior Director of Development – Philanthropic Partnerships & Major Gifts, brings more than 15 years of executive leadership experience advancing arts, education, and healthcare organizations through major gifts programs, capital campaigns, and strategic donor stewardship. Her career includes senior development leadership roles with the American Cancer Society, Samaritan Medical Center Foundation, and Children’s Miracle Network, supporting complex healthcare systems with annual operating budgets exceeding $300 million. Across her career, Eppolito has managed seven-figure fundraising portfolios annually, and led multi-million-dollar capital campaigns. She also brings direct arts-sector governance experience through service on the Board of Trustees of the Thousand Islands Performing Arts Fund at the Clayton Opera House, reflecting a longstanding commitment to strengthening cultural institutions and community access to the arts.

Together, these senior leadership appointments mark an important milestone in the Dreamland’s continued evolution — reinforcing the organization’s ability to serve as Nantucket’s premier cultural gathering place while operating with the strength, professionalism, and foresight required of leading arts institutions.

As the Dreamland looks ahead, the organization remains focused on deepening community connection, expanding access to the arts, and ensuring that its historic theater continues to thrive as a place for creativity, learning, and shared experience — not only today, but well into the future.

Contact:
Olivia Hull
Marketing, Community Outreach, & Design Manager
Nantucket Dreamland Foundation
[email protected]
508-360-7818

Nantucket, MA — November 11,  2025 — The Nantucket Dreamland Foundation announced today a three-year extension for Executive Director, Alicia Carney’s leadership, along with the promotion of Kevin Anderson to Head of Operations.

Carney, first joined the organization in 2017 and was appointed Executive Director in early 2021.  Under her leadership, the Dreamland has expanded first run and independent film programming; grown live theater, music, and performance offerings; enriched youth and adult arts education; launched new community partnerships; expanded venue rentals and enhanced accessibility to cultural programming. Her contributions have strengthened Dreamland’s role as Nantucket’s year-round gathering place for creativity, inspiration, connection, and cultural expression — continuing a legacy that dates back nearly 200 years.

“Alicia has done a terrific job over the past four years as the Executive Director, in leading the Dreamland to its position at the center of Nantucket’s cultural life. She has shaped the vision and managed the execution, and we are delighted to extend her tenure for another three years,” said John Schmidt, Chair of the Board of Directors. “Kevin did a great job this summer managing our operations while Alicia welcomed her second child, and we are pleased to recognize his talents and contributions with this promotion to Head of Operations. Alicia and Kevin lead a dedicated team that is focused on the Dreamland’s mission of enriching the lives of everyone in the Nantucket community by offering first run features, independent films, theater and performing arts, musical events and concerts, storytelling and conversations 365 days a year.”

Anderson, previously served as Hospitality and Operations Director since 2023. His promotion reflects the organization’s continued growth and its investment in operational excellence in support of world-class programming.

“I am proud to continue leading the Dreamland at such a meaningful moment in the island’s cultural life. Our work is rooted in the belief that shared artistic experiences and shared stories strengthen our community, deepen our sense of belonging, and reflect the spirit of Nantucket. I am grateful to our staff, board, patrons, and partners for the trust they place in us. With this remarkable team—and with Kevin’s leadership in operations—we are well-positioned to build on the Dreamland’s rich history and continue expanding year-round opportunities for creativity, inspiration, learning, and connection for everyone who calls Nantucket home,” said Executive Director, Alicia Carney.

Carney and Anderson’s continued leadership reflects the Dreamland’s stability and momentum as a cornerstone of Nantucket’s cultural life. Looking ahead, the organization will continue to steward its historic role while evolving to meet the needs of a growing year-round community — enriching the island’s quality of life and strengthening the connections that bring Nantucket together.