Darlene Jenson
Founder, Director and Disability Specialist
Darlene graduated from UMass with a BA in Education. She has been the Co-Director and Disabilities Specialist for Theatre Adventure since 2004. She works side by side with Laura Lawson Tucker to develop curriculum and to produce shows that meet the needs of the participating troupe members. Finding creative and expressive ways to address and highlight each individual in the program brings out Darlene’s passion for theatre. The success of the past 15 years of Theatre Adventure has confirmed her ideas about creating an environment where troupe members of all abilities can find their unique voice, express their talents, and have a chance to belong to and work with a group to learn together and accomplish greatness!
Laura Lawson Tucker
Founder and Creative Director
Laura’s journey as an educator began in 1970 when she created and ran a summer day camp for four year olds in the suburbs of Washington, DC. Their days were spent exploring the surrounding fields and forests and creating theatrical stories. The children discovered a bridge over a creek and it seemed to Laura that magically the group of children began to refer to it as the Queen’s Bridge. It was soon revealed that the Queen’s Bridge was the perfect vantage spot to admire a field filled with Queen Anne's Lace. It was at that moment that Laura fell in love with the creative process, with the unplanned moments that happen in learning environments that are stable and predictable and yet ripe with many delightful surprises. Fast-forward to 2004, and with her Masters Degree in education and twenty-one years as an early educator, Theatre Adventure was born from the inspiration of one child and a fellow educator. Laura continues to grow as an educator and artist in the environment of Theatre Adventure---a home for aspiring actors with developmental challenges. Laura values deeply the opportunity to help ignite fires of imagination and witness actualization of the students’ personal power and purpose--all while having great fun in the land of inclusive theater.
Lori Angell
Costumer
Lori Angell joined Theatre Adventure in 2005, a year after its inception. She arrived with eleven years of experience as a Special Educator. Lori's first role was as an agency Support Professional for an actor. She was soon thereafter hired as a teacher. When Theater Adventure's Costumer left in 2011, Lori stepped in to fill those shoes. Since then, she has volunteered countless hours to design and sew breathtaking costumes for over thirty eight shows. Lori's favorite shows to design are productions from specific periods of time. She says there is a lot of detail in period costuming, “...so it is challenging, but a good challenge.” Lori adds that the best part about being the Costumer for Theatre Adventure is, “seeing the expressions on the actors’ faces when they try on their costumes. They are so into their character when in costume…although I have noticed that they are also very much in character without costumes." Upon reflection on her fourteen years of experience with Theatre Adventure Lori shared, “The students have grown tremendously as actors. Theatre Adventure is a highlight in our students’ lives and they look forward to every class. The Directors are two very important individuals, Laura and Darlene. They always put the needs and wants first for all troupe members. Every show is a must see and you will be hooked forever.”
In Co-Director Laura Lawson Tucker’s words, “Lori Angell is one-of-a-kind as the master Costumer for Theatre Adventure. Lori's skillful creation of stunning costumes springs first from Lori's commitment to buildng a trusting relationship with each student. Lori then melds together the directors' vision for a particular production and the actor's own ideas as well as any particular sensory and physical needs. With artistic vision Lori helps each actor claim their character with magnificent confidence."
Leslie Kinney
Teacher
Leslie Kinney’s involvement with theater goes back to musical and drama productions in high school and occasional fun with community theatre in the Brattleboro area. Her sister fondly remembers her performance as a “love- sick maiden” in a Gilbert and Sullivan production.
She finds it a joy to combine her love of community theater with her experience providing services and supports to people with developmental disabilities. Leslie has a Master’s in Administration and has had a career managing services for people with disabilities in Massachusetts including family support, residential and vocational programs, respite care and self- advocacy groups. In addition to her Theatre Adventure work, she consults with several Massachusetts agencies that provide supports to people with disabilities.
The motto of self-advocates has always been important to her, “Nothing about us, without us.” She values the Theatre Adventure process which draws inspiration for activities and performances from the concerns and voices of the actors.
Laura Howe
Teacher
Laura first experienced Theater Adventure ten years ago when she and her son took toddler music classes at The New England Youth Theater where Theater Adventure was originally located. The music class was next door to the Theatre Adventure classroom and after each class her son would gravitate toward the theater rehearsals taking place next door. They’d watch from the doorway and Laura was in awe of the magic that was happening in the room. Years later when she heard of an available Theatre Adventure teaching position she jumped at the chance. She continues to be in awe of the ability of theater to empower mixed ability actors to explore and express their artistic talents; to learn how to work successfully in a group setting; to explore means of expression while gaining tremendous self confidence, and to have an immense amount of fun in an incredibly supportive atmosphere. Laura has an undergraduate degree in Social Work from the Pennsylvania State University and a Masters degree in Intercultural Management from the School for International Training. Laura’s background in teaching includes being an Environmental Education Instructor for the Peace Corps in Central America, as well as several years as an early childhood educator.
Maria Pugnetti
Technical Director
Maria Pugnetti is an interdisciplinary artist who has been working with Theatre Adventure since 2009. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Fine Arts from the University of California, Santa Cruz. Her creative repertoire includes painting, fiber arts, video, sound, lighting design, and shadow puppetry. She has attended Sandglass Theater’s Puppetry Intensive and a Shadow Puppetry Intensive with Stephen Kaplin of Chinese Theatre Works.
Pugnetti works in Theatre Adventure’s tech department and teaches visual arts, sound, lighting, and video and assists with web design. She has worked with students on a range of activities some of which include: creating projections and animations out of their drawings and paintings, designing stage lighting, and creating soundscapes for live theatre. She works with the Theatre Adventure team to make tools available for students to see the work of their creative imaginations come to life on stage and beyond.
Visiting Artists
Antoinette “Nettie” Lane
Nettie wears multiple hats as an Artistic Advisor, Coach, Instructor, Producer, Director, Performer and and BEST (BioEnergetic Synchronization Technique) Practitioner. She is passionate about inspiring and empowering people of all ages and backgrounds to express their authentic selves through creativity, play, expressive arts and storytelling. Her creative approach incorporates skills from theatre, nature awareness and connection, storytelling, spirituality and bioenergetics.
Nettie has performed with Flynn Creek Circus, Zany Umbrella Circus, Art Farm-Circus for a Fragile Planet, New England Center for Circus Arts, Nimble Arts, Saavy Productions, Droplet Dance and Overhead Arts and the Payomet Performing Arts Center. Her festival appearances have included Life is Good, Wanderlust, Clearwater’s Great Hudson River Revival, Petaluma Rivertown Revival, and the New York Clown Festival.
As owner of Anima Mundi Arts, she offers classes and workshops on physical theater, act creation and clown throughout the US and in Ireland. She also produces and directs the yearly 'Clown Soiree.' Currently. She was a guest Artist at Theatre Adventure for the 2023/2024 season.
Steve-o Leicach
Steve Leicach is a master drummer and educator who has taught drumming at schools, universities, and wellness centers throughout the Northeast for more than 40 years. An expert in African and Caribbean drumming, drumming improvisation, percussion theory, and traditional instrument making, he teaches drumming to people of all ages and abilities, from advanced percussionists to complete beginners, including children, senior citizens, and individuals with severe disabilities.
As a teacher, Steve Leicach’s focus is to empower people in an environment that is supportive and safe, so they can freely express themselves. He also utilizes drumming as a vehicle for conflict resolution for people from war torn global communities. His drumming programs include: “To the Beat of a Different D.R.U.M.: Diversity, Respect, Unity, through Music”, and “Peace-building through Percussion.”
Rich Nethercott
From an early age, music has always been a great love of mine (I was fortunate enough to grow up during the British Invasion!). By the mid-Seventies, I had begun playing rhythm guitar and writing songs, my influences as varied as Buddy Holly, the Beatles, Cat Stevens and David Bowie.
Since then, I have continued to compose numerous "ditties" in diverse styles. Melodies, especially, come easily to me - they just bounce around in my head like a pinball machine!
I began working with Theatre Adventure in 2018 setting music to the lyrics of actor/author Josh Blaushild for that year's production of "Questery.” The following year, I created songs (music and words) for the troupe's full- blown musical production, "Raising Our Voices Together" (both shows were stellar successes, by the way, but I may be biased!).
We are now in (online) rehearsals for the 2020 production of "Resilient,” the theme of which couldn't be more topical! I have found my association with Theater Adventure to be both fun and rewarding. I have indeed grown to consider the talented performers, and their teachers, as admired friends and colleagues. It is truly an honor to assist the students as we all strive to convey their thoughts and aspirations through song.