Bring Up the Lights!

A fundraising campaign for New Hampshire Theatre Project

NH Theatre Project tranforms West End Theatre into a permanent home!

Since 1988, New Hampshire Theatre Project has operated out of 12 different venues and toured both productions and artist-in-residence programs throughout New England.  After 29 years, we are finally settling into a permanent home at the West End Theatre on Islington Street.  Our lease-to-buy agreement puts us squarely in the forefront of Portsmouth's blossoming West End arts district, often called "the Brooklyn" of New Hampshire.  We will be the only public gathering place in this section of our city.   NHTP envisions WEST, not only as a theatre, but as a community resource for neighbors, businesses and other nonprofit organizations.

Most of the lighting equipment currently in use at WEST is 30-50 years old, and other equipment will be taken out by former tenants in December of 2016.   By December 1, we need to raise $10,000 to purchase dimmers, lighting instruments, a new lightboard, and cable.  Along with lighting our Main Stage and Youth productions, this new equipment will be used to train interns who wish to learn the art of behind-the-scenes theatrical production.

Lighting is one of the dramatic elements in theatre, heightening emotions and creating enticing nuances that deepen audience connection to the material.  Known for both original work and re-interpretations of classics, NHTP's evocative lighting designs are an essential aspect of all our productions.  Here's what the critics say:

I Am My Own Wife is simply incredible artistry, a riveting tale performed by an exceptional actor.  Lighting design by Meghann Beauchamp adds significant, nuanced layers to the production. 

Finding the Prince is a mix of fantasy, abstract, dreamscape and expressionism... a truly artful, vivid, erudite work that is beautifully presented.  It is about experience rather than explanation. 

The Crucible lighting design enhances the stark stage and mood

Faith Healer - Much credit goes to lighting and set designer Meghann Beauchamp… each character, at the conclusion of his or her monologue, slowly evaporates into absolute darkness, leaving a blank, opaque slate for interpretation.

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