interACT Productions Names New Artistic Director

interACT Productions, one of Essex County’s newest community theatres has announced the appointment of Nicholas Clarey as their new Artistic Director.  Clarey is the second Artistic Director in the company’s history, taking over from Elizabeth Rogers, who founded the company.

Clarey hails from Pittsburgh PA, where he has directed, choreographed, and appeared in many productions.  He founded several theatre companies including New Works New Haven in New Haven, CT and WingSpace Theater Company in Ithaca, NY, and currently directs the Theater Education Program at Dryden Central Schools where his recent production Seussical won the CRT Pavilion Excellence award for Best Musical.

According to a release from the company, the Board of Directors chose Clarey because of his vision to expand interACT’s reach.  The company says it will continue its high-quality main stage theatre productions and will begin sponsoring an emerging-playwrights workshop offering readings and eventually stagings of new works.  

interACT’s mission is to create a more accessible, welcoming environment that offers opportunities for people at all levels to participate in an inclusive, educational, and high-quality theatre experience.

Clarey’s long-term plans for interACT also include acting, theatre production and “behind-the-scenes” classes such as costume and set design for all ages. 

“I want to change people’s perception of community theatre,” said Clarey.  “Our goal is to put the community back in theatre.”