As the director and choreographer of Hairspray, multidisciplinary artist Najee A. Brown brings his vision of revolutionary joy to the Umbrella stage. As the Artistic Director of the Multicultural Arts Center in Cambridge, Najee is known for his commitment to social justice, cultural identity, and the power of storytelling to unite communities. Returning to Concord after... Keep Reading »
Performing Arts
April 17, 2026 by Melissa
TICK, TICK... BOOM! and THE SPITFIRE GRILL Soar!The Elliot Norton Awards are the highest regional honor in Boston-area theater. The Umbrella Stage Company is honored to have received seven well-deserved nominations for the team and talent behind our productions of this fall's tick, tick... BOOM! and last spring's The Spitfire Grill for the Awards' consideration window of... Keep Reading »
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February 20, 2026 by Kelby
Elliot Norton Award-winning director Scott Edmiston last helmed a production at The Umbrella during the 2023–24 season with the critically acclaimed The Minutes. Now he's back, bringing a fresh vision to one of American literature's most beloved and enduring stories. As Scott returns to direct To Kill a Mockingbird, we sat down with him to "take five" about his creative... Keep Reading »
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October 23, 2025 by Kelby
Fall 2025 Music Director Jordan Oczkowski has some interesting parallels to composer and lyricist Jonathan Larson as he tackles the musical helm of his musical: both are rockin' piano players and both were on the cusp of turning thirty when they began work on TICK, TICK... BOOM! We took a moment with Jordan, whose generosity, enthusiasm, and talent are palpable... Keep Reading »
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October 21, 2025 by Kelby
Our expanded Artist-in-Residence program is pleased to welcome Joe Juknievich to the 2025/26 cohort in the area of Performing Arts. Most recently, Joe assistant directed and conducted dramaturgical research for The Umbrella's production of TICK, TICK... BOOM! Previously, he served as Assistant Director on The Umbrella's production of Network. As... Keep Reading »
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October 2, 2025 by Katie Baum
Beloved Norton and IRNE award-winning director and choreographer Ilyse Robbins is back at The Umbrella this fall with TICK, TICK… BOOM!, an electrifying autobiographical musical by Jonathan Larson. Ilyse Robbins is delighted to return to The Umbrella having directed The Spitfire Grill and Lizzie: The Musical and performing in White Rabbit, Red Rabbit in previous... Keep Reading »
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September 11, 2025 by Kelby
Alex Lonati is making her Umbrella directorial debut with this fall's season opener, the award-winning play The Counter by Meghan Kennedy. Alex is a Boston based director, producer, educator, accessibility advocate, and arts administrator, who directs throughout the city at the professional and collegiate level (upcoming: The Antiquities at SpeakEasy Stage Company in... Keep Reading »
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April 14, 2025 by Stewart
Ilyse Robbins is an Elliot Norton Award-winning Director and Choreographer who will be returning to The Umbrella this month with our new musical production, The Spitfire Grill. Robbins also directed and choreographed last season's rock musical, LIZZIE. Ilyse “took 5” with us during a busy holiday and rehearsal weekend to share her enthusiasm about the new... Keep Reading »
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March 19, 2025 by Stewart
Where We Belong Lighting Designer Ben Rush took a moment to share the behind-the-scenes magic of lighting the New England premiere – including his “magic sheet” that encapsulates the working elements of the black box theater’s lights.Rush’s design does not simply illuminate the set designed by Baron E. Pugh; it paints and transforms its surfaces and contours with changing... Keep Reading »
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March 13, 2025 by Stewart
Tara Moses is a citizen of Seminole Nation of Oklahoma, director, playwright, and co-Founder of Groundwater Arts. This season, Moses was tapped by The Umbrella Stage Company to direct the New England premiere of Where We Belong, featuring GiGi Buddie. It is the first production to feature a lead performer other than Moses' fellow theater-maker Madeline Sayet, who toured... Keep Reading »
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