UPDATED: Watertown’s New Rep Theatre Announces it Will be Closing Down

After 40 years and more than 300 productions, New Repertory Theatre announced that it will be closing its doors. The company has been located for many years at the Mosesian Center for the Arts, and it expanded beyond the walls of the theater at the Arsenal Center for the Arts to put on a pair of moving plays during the Pandemic, Listen to Sipu and the Charles W. Lenox Experience. The company Pandemic also brought financial woes for New Rep, and it suspended operations for nine months beginning in July 2021. In 2023, the company’s season included three plays, including Tony winners. However, those will be the final productions for New Rep.

On Oct.

Families Invited to Halloween Happening at Brigham House

The following announcement was provided by Debbie & Friends:

For years local children have been treated to a HALLOWEEN HAPPENING where there was “not a fright in sight.”   

Once again, we are offering this free celebration. On Oct. 27 come on over to Brigham House – 341 Mt. Auburn St. in Watertown at 10 a.m. to hear a concert with the award winning “Debbie and Friends” plus trick or treat with the residents.  

Debbie and Friends will be performing at the Halloween Happening at the Brigham House.

Pumpkin Time for Small Saves in This Week’s Cartoon

James DeMarco grew up in Watertown and became a goaltender at age 5. It’s his life’s passion to stand between the pipes and keep the puck out of the net. Combining this with the love of cartooning Small Saves emerged in 1991 and took on a life of his own. “To play goal – then come home and draw Small Saves — is my ideal definition of a good day.”

OP-ED: Review of Recent Play by Independent Indian Theater Group

Sanjay (left), Ashwathamma (center), Yuyutsu (right) in Act II of “Andha Yug.” The play was performed by SETU on the stage at the Mosesian Center for the Arts. (Courtesy of Rohan Rastogi)

by Rohan A. Rastogi

Twenty years ago SETU emerged as a theatrical troupe introducing Greater Boston to Indian drama. Since its 2003 founding it has staged 30 plays spanning reenactments of historical epics, sketches of love, and contemporary socio-economic realities such as casteism. Equally amazing as its breadth in shows is the fact it operates entirely as a non-profit.

Mosesian Arts Plans First Holiday Makers Market, Deadline Approaching

The following announcement was provided by the Mosesian Center for the Arts:

The Mosesian Center for the Arts, at the Arsenal on the Charles in Watertown, will hold its first Holiday Makers Market on November 25 and 26. The arts center invites artists working in ceramics, jewelry, printmaking, painting, illustration, fine arts, fiber, metals, glass, and mixed media to apply. Artists will display and sell their work in the gallery and performance spaces. Fees will be charged for tables, but no commission or portion of sales will be taken. Member artists of the arts center receive a discounted rate. The deadline for artists to apply to participate is Sunday, October 15. Further details and a link to the application form are on the Mosesian Arts website at www.mosesianarts.org.

Call for Art for Watertown’s Community Sculpture Walk

Anaïs MarkwoodArtist James Payne speaks about his sculpture “Opposition” during the grand opening of the Community Sculpture Walk. The following announcement was provided by the City of Watertown:

The Watertown Public Arts and Culture Committee (PACC) is excited to announce the second year of the Community Sculpture Walk. The Community Sculpture Walk will exhibit public sculptures to enhance use of green space in Watertown, encourage public interaction with contemporary art, and create an annual exhibition opportunity for artists at all career stages working in a variety of mediums.

The Community Sculpture Walk follows the Community Path from the parking lot behind the Watertown Free Public Library to Waverly Avenue. There are eight sites along the path for sculptures and additional sites may be added as the path is extended. Each year, four sculptures will be selected to be on loan for two years, so that each year four new sculptures will be on view.

Mosesian Arts to Celebrate 40th Anniversary of Watertown Children’s Theatre

Cast members perform in the 2019 WCT production of Rent: School Edition. A signature song from the musical inspired the anniversary theme, 40 Season of Love. (Photo by Erica Dorenkamp)

The following announcement was provided by Mosesian Center for the Arts:

In 1983, Watertown resident Dinah Lane launched Watertown Children’s Theatre with an inaugural production performed on the stage of Watertown High School. Over the 40 years since, more musicals, productions of classical, contemporary, and original plays, as well as classes and workshops have brought together tens of thousands of children, families, and audience members from Watertown and beyond. When the Mosesian Center for the Arts opened in 2005 (as the Arsenal Center for the Arts), Watertown Children’s Theatre was one of its resident companies.

Library’s Watertown Zine Fest to Gather DIY Creators and Publishers for Third Year

The following announcement was provided by the Watertown Free Public Library:

On Saturday, October 14, the Watertown Free Public Library (WFPL) will host the third-annual Watertown Zine Fest — a celebration of DIY publishing, creativity, and idea sharing. This year, festival highlights will include over forty zinester-vendors from near and far, a “zine-making hive” where anyone can get creative, and guest lectures that explore the intersection of zines, mental health, and Indigenous perspectives. As always, the event is free to all. Not sure what a zine is? No problem!