Mission Statement
Playhouse 44 is a 501(c)3, not-for-profit, all-volunteer performing arts group created by and for people of all ages, backgrounds, and experiences throughout the Farmington Valley. Our goal is to provide enjoyable, responsible, accessible, and affordable entertainment to add to the cultural vibrancy of our communities and provide a pleasant social diversion for friends and neighbors. Since its founding in 2023, Playhouse 44 has put on several plays, concerts, and storytelling nights.
How Playhouse 44 Began
In the winter of 2024, a meeting was held at the Avon Free Public Library to gauge the community’s level of interest in starting a not-for-profit, all-volunteer community theater and performing arts group. It was arranged by local writer Joel Samberg, who said he had dreamed of starting such a venture for many years as a way to provide opportunities for people who had the urge to explore their own creativity. Several dozen people showed up at the meeting with more than just enthusiastic support–they offered to help turn the dream into reality. Without any initial funding at all, and lacking a space of its own, Playhouse 44 had an enormous challenge from the start. But with a skilled core creative team, an altruistic heart, and a nomadic soul, the group began its uphill climb and presented a dozen events in its first year-and-a-half (two plays, three concerts, three storytelling nights, one corporate event, and a music-and-comedy revue).
Value to the Community
A survey conducted in 2023 by a local organization concluded that one big area of need is increased recreation and the social engagement it generates, which in turn supports good mental health. Playhouse 44 believes that entertainment is the best kind of social engagement. We find that our events, and the ease with which they can be enjoyed, transcends all economic, age, faith, gender, and other boundaries. Through Playhouse 44, residents of Avon and surrounding communities in the Farmington Valley have more opportunities to attend enjoyable cultural events without having to worry about long-distance travel, affordability, or accessibility. With today’s social and economic climate often fraught with change and challenge, we feel that our efforts–which are open to anyone who wishes to be involved–have been well worth the significant challenge of founding and growing Playhouse 44.