Northshore magazine showcases the best that the North Shore of Boston, MA has to offer.
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NORTHSHOREMAG.COM 50 OCTOBER 2018 and concessions workers. e space will provide educational and recreational opportunities for as many as 7,800 youths annually. "e addition of the Black Box eater builds on the incredible momentum downtown, making Peabody Square a destination," says Bettencourt. "e Black Box eater will help us raise the visibilityof all of our cultural assets, from ArcWorks to the Elizabeth Cassidy Folk Art Museum, the George Peabody House and Peabody Leatherworkers Museum, the International Festival, the Peabody Institute Library (home of the Creativity Lab!), Peabody Access Telecommunications, the Wiggin Auditorium, and many others." "Many people don't know what a black box theater is," notes Tim Brown, director of innovation and strategy at Northeast Arc. "A black box theatre is a bare, raw space. e only limit to what happens in the theatre is your own imagination." He adds: "e theater provides another avenue for creative expression for the people we serve. We have an improv troupe, a drumming circle, and we are developing some small theatre programs." e theater space is exible and is able to meet the needs of any group or organization that rents it. e occupancy permit allows for 155 people in a theater-style set up, 113 people for seated dinners, and 238 people for standing events. Since opening in late April, the theater has already hosted a Broadway revue, an improv troupe, stand-up comedians, and other community events. It is an ideal space for theatre, music, poetry readings, comedy, lm events, dance parties, and unique special events. e space is also available to rent for private family events or life celebrations. e hope is that the theater will become an anchor in the city's downtown cultural district. e addition of performing arts to the Art Center will complement existing visual arts activities. Revenue from space rental will ensure the long-term sustainability of the Center. "Because the Black Box eater is located in the Northeast Arc's ArcWorks Community Art Center, we hope more people will view the center as a community cultural resource, with free exhibits open to the public year-round," says Brown. In addition to the new theater, the ArcWorks Community Art Center is home to the Arc's Shine Jewelry and Heritage Caning, crafts-focused enterprises employing people with disabilities, as well as a gallery shop featuring the handmade work of 50 local artists of all abilities. "e Black Box eater will be instrumental in attracting more shops, restaurants, and entertainmentoptions to downtown Peabody," says Bettencourt. He reects, "e Northeast Arc has been a true partner as we continue to work to bring more life and more business to the downtown area. With the ArcWorks Art Center, Breaking Grounds, and now the new Black Box eater, who knows what we can do together next." CONTACT ne-arc.org/services/black-box-theater Left to right, Peabody mayor Edward A. Bettencourt, Tom Gould, Peabody city councilor and owner of Treadwell's ice cream shop, an Tim Brown, director of Innovation and Strategy at Northeast Arc. PHOTOGRAPH BY JAKE BELCHER / L I V E + P L AY / UPCOMING SHOWS A C O U S T I C C A F É October 19 C O M E D Y A N D I M P R O V N I G H T T O B E N E F I T T H E B L A C K B O X October 20 N O R T H S H O R E C H I L D R E N ' S T H E A T E R December 3 through 9 IN THE KNOW