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The Forge Theater Lab, in residence at Fitchburg State University, develops new plays that ignite passionate conversations. |
Noah Dawson and Stephanie Bisono in "Corner" by Ian Vincent.
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Kevin Boudreau in ON OUR TERMS by Mary Darling.
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Partnering with Fitchburg State UniversityThe Forge Theater Lab is proud to be in residence at Fitchburg State University, a center for education and culture in north central Massachusetts. FSU offers a range of a degree programs, including concentrations in theater, technical theater, and other fields that lead to careers in performance and the arts. Now housed within the Communications Media department, the FSU theater program has been offering award-winning productions of classical, contemporary, and new plays for decades. Click here to read more about FSU's theater program.
Fitchburg State University is currently renovating the Theater Block, a building with a rich history in downtown Fitchburg that will now become a vital part of both the university and the continuing revitalization of the city. Click here to read more about the Theater Block project. |
Our HistoryThe Forge Theater Lab was founded by a "start-up group" of Fitchburg State University alumni, convened by an open invitation from Professor Kelly Morgan in April 2018. This group decided on the initial mission and core values for the company, wrote its bylaws, and selected the plays to be performed in the kickoff event Generations. This night of ten short plays, performed in December 2018, showcased the wealth of talent that has been associated with the FSU theater program over the past 20+ years.
Season 1 continued in spring and summer 2019 with The Forge's first Draft House series of staged readings of new plays in progress by Ashley Lauren Rogers, Samantha deManbey, Mary Darling, and Andy Bayiates and Genevra Gallo-Bayiates. Throughout this series, writers worked with directors, dramaturgs, casts, and audiences to fine-tune their plays. Season 2 began with The Forge's first production of a full-length play, On Our Terms by Mary Darling. Next, the development process of Chasing the Ghost by Ashley Lauren Rogers culminated with a fully staged production. Season 2 wrapped up with a workshop presentation of two plays by Matt Cogswell and an online reading of LifeBlood by Erik Nikander. |
Rachael Miles and Derek Holbrook in "27" by Erik Nikander.
Cheyenne Winley and Noah Dawson in CHASING THE GHOST by Ashley Lauren Rogers.
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The Staff
Managing Director Jack Crory directed the online reading of Erik Nikander's LifeBlood as well as two plays in The Forge's kickoff event Generations. In the past he has directed shows for Playwrights' Platform ("The Sisters" by Sherri Stepakoff), Boston Actors' Theater ("W4M" by MJ Halberstadt), Nashua Theatre Guild (Romeo and Juliet), The Cannon Theatre (Twelfth Night), Fitchburg Theater Company (Love's Labour's Lost, Autobahn, A Christmas Carol), and Theatre Omnibus (Proof, A Midsummer Night's Dream). He has taught writing and speech classes at FSU since 2014.
Marketing Manager Brittany Messuri Rechenberger graduated from FSU in 2018 with a bachelor’s degree in Communications Media and double concentration in photography and theater. She most recently played Patty in Chasing the Ghost and Mandi in Good Grief. In 2018 she played Madeline in The Women of Lockerbie at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. See Brittany's photography at brittanymessuri.com.
Literary Manager Erik Nikander is a playwright, theater critic, director, and filmmaker who has been working with The Forge Theater Lab since its inception. He currently serves as the company’s Literary Manager, and is an active member of its board. His most recent credits with the company include an online reading of his play LifeBlood and his contributions to Generations as a writer and director (for “27” and “Copley,” respectively). His ten-minute play “The Lady Killer” was performed as part of the 2020 Boston Theater Marathon. Erik is also an Artistic Associate at NewYorkRep, and has worked as a dramaturg and script reader for local companies such as the Nora Theatre Company and Fresh Ink Theatre. His theater criticism can be read in The Arts Fuse and HowlRound.
Director of Development and Outreach Pamela Kathleen Hill has over 40 years of theater experience in the area, having worked as actor, producer and director for such groups as The Forge Theater Lab, Pocket Theatre, Cornucopia Theatre, Theater at the Mount, Masque Rep Company, Central Mass Rep Company, Guild Players, and AmeriCulture. Previously a secondary English/Theater teacher, Hill was the first Education Director for Huntington Theatre Company where she designed and implemented model theater education programs, which garnered national recognition. Her grant writing garnered funding from the National Endowment of the Arts, National Endowment of the Humanities, and Massachusetts Cultural Council, among others. While a professor at Fitchburg State University, Dr. Hill used drama in her research on young adolescent social issues and received the Dean’s Creative Activity Award and Research Fellow Award for her work. She retired as Dean of Education at the University.
Production Associate Samantha deManbey was The Forge's Season 2 Artistic Director and continues to help with several aspects of running the company. She performed multiple roles backstage for Generations, her play Shadows in the Cave was developed as part of our first Draft House series, and she directed the staged reading and full production of Chasing the Ghost by Ashley Lauren Rogers. Samantha graduated from FSU in 2011 with a dual degree in theater and film. Her dark comedy Fausted premiered at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in 2015.
Marketing Manager Brittany Messuri Rechenberger graduated from FSU in 2018 with a bachelor’s degree in Communications Media and double concentration in photography and theater. She most recently played Patty in Chasing the Ghost and Mandi in Good Grief. In 2018 she played Madeline in The Women of Lockerbie at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. See Brittany's photography at brittanymessuri.com.
Literary Manager Erik Nikander is a playwright, theater critic, director, and filmmaker who has been working with The Forge Theater Lab since its inception. He currently serves as the company’s Literary Manager, and is an active member of its board. His most recent credits with the company include an online reading of his play LifeBlood and his contributions to Generations as a writer and director (for “27” and “Copley,” respectively). His ten-minute play “The Lady Killer” was performed as part of the 2020 Boston Theater Marathon. Erik is also an Artistic Associate at NewYorkRep, and has worked as a dramaturg and script reader for local companies such as the Nora Theatre Company and Fresh Ink Theatre. His theater criticism can be read in The Arts Fuse and HowlRound.
Director of Development and Outreach Pamela Kathleen Hill has over 40 years of theater experience in the area, having worked as actor, producer and director for such groups as The Forge Theater Lab, Pocket Theatre, Cornucopia Theatre, Theater at the Mount, Masque Rep Company, Central Mass Rep Company, Guild Players, and AmeriCulture. Previously a secondary English/Theater teacher, Hill was the first Education Director for Huntington Theatre Company where she designed and implemented model theater education programs, which garnered national recognition. Her grant writing garnered funding from the National Endowment of the Arts, National Endowment of the Humanities, and Massachusetts Cultural Council, among others. While a professor at Fitchburg State University, Dr. Hill used drama in her research on young adolescent social issues and received the Dean’s Creative Activity Award and Research Fellow Award for her work. She retired as Dean of Education at the University.
Production Associate Samantha deManbey was The Forge's Season 2 Artistic Director and continues to help with several aspects of running the company. She performed multiple roles backstage for Generations, her play Shadows in the Cave was developed as part of our first Draft House series, and she directed the staged reading and full production of Chasing the Ghost by Ashley Lauren Rogers. Samantha graduated from FSU in 2011 with a dual degree in theater and film. Her dark comedy Fausted premiered at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in 2015.
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Graphic Designer Monique Guthrie designed The Forge's logo. At FSU she studied graphic design and professional communication. Monique has created designs for the Fitchburg Art Museum, FSU Mainstage, Strong Style Coffee, and River Styx. She specializes in logos, t-shirts, tattoos, posters, and brand identity. A recent mural she painted is on display at Activate Mill Street in Fitchburg. Check out her digital portfolio at moniqueguthrie.com.
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Monique Guthrie
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Daniel T. Hankins (Summer-Fall Intern) is a senior Communications major at FSU. An actor by trade, memorable roles at the university include Buddy Layman in The Diviners and Milky White in Into the Woods. In addition to this work with MainStage, he was a longtime secretary and performer during the inaugural years of the Musical Falcons, performing roles such as Will in American Idiot, and Melchior Gabor in Spring Awakening. In addition to acting, Daniel is a musician, playing guitar, singing, and producing his own rock music (The Kids Project on Spotify).
Katie Williams (Summer-Fall Intern) is a Communications & Theater student at Fitchburg State. As an actor she has had roles in multiple FSU productions with MainStage, including Medea, 12 Angry Jurors, and The Peculiar Distraction of Mr. Lincoln’s Social Media (written by Forge member Andy Bayiates). She also played St. Jimmy in the Musical Falcon’s production of American Idiot. While on campus she also worked on multiple student films which were presented at the Visions festival.
Katie Williams (Summer-Fall Intern) is a Communications & Theater student at Fitchburg State. As an actor she has had roles in multiple FSU productions with MainStage, including Medea, 12 Angry Jurors, and The Peculiar Distraction of Mr. Lincoln’s Social Media (written by Forge member Andy Bayiates). She also played St. Jimmy in the Musical Falcon’s production of American Idiot. While on campus she also worked on multiple student films which were presented at the Visions festival.
Brittany Messuri Rechenberger in CHASING THE GHOST by Ashley Lauren Rogers.
Valerie Schillawski and Erik Nikander in rehearsal for LIFEBLOOD by Erik.
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The Start-up Group
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Denise Alexander
Charles Amaral Peter Anderegg Andy Bayiates Sharon Bernard Kevin Boudreau Matt Cogswell McKegg Collins Jack Crory, Moderator Noah Dawson Samantha deManbey, Secretary |
Amy DeMar-DuBois
Lindsay Flathers Friend Tommy Karner Jessica Killam Michael Knight Kelly Morgan, Founder Erik Nikander Erica Gilbert Angela Renzi Kelly Stowell |
Company Founder Kelly Morgan
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