All good things must come to an end. So, after 20 years of original theatrical productions, Jerry Bisantz and Ann Garvin, co-founders and producers of Image Theater Company, are bidding a fond farewell to the city of Lowell.
“We are very proud of our accomplishments and are so thankful to Lowell for supporting us for so many years, but Ann and I decided to move on,” said Bisantz recently.
Since 2005, Image Theater has produced ONLY original works by local playwrights, composers, poets, authors, and filmmakers.
Some of their proudest achievements include:
Image Theater introduced the 10-minute play concept to Lowell with “Mill City Minutes,” “Femnoire: The Women’s Playwriting Series,” and of course, their popular “Naughty Readings.”
Noted full length productions included Jack Neary’s “The Big Apple,” Jim McLindon’s “Distant Music” (published by Dramatic Publishing with Image Theaters actors on the cover), Kerouac’s “Last Call” by Patrick Fenton, and the hit musical “Lost Cellphone Weekend” by two-time NE Emmy Award winning composer Stephen Gilbane, which played recently in Los Angeles with Write Act Repertory.
Two Image Theater films, “Memories for Sale” and the documentary “Fred and Emile,” have been seen worldwide. “Fred and Emile” was purchased by WGBH and is shown every year during Pride Month.
Image’s Cabaret series at The Whistler House Museum of Art was always great fun and featured local singers and musicians.
A “have lights, will travel” theater company, Image Theater performed at venues all around the city. These include The Old Court Pub, The Whistler House Museum of Art, The Freshman Academy, the Richard and Nancy Donahue Family Academic Arts Center theater at Middlesex Community College, LaLa Books, Brew’d Awakening Coffee Shop … and Image is so thankful for the open minds of all who helped throughout.
The final tally? Seventy-two local playwrights served, 22 local authors, 22 music composers, 21 filmmakers, scores of actors and directors … All these talented people had the opportunity to see their work performed in front of Lowell audiences.
Special thanks to Finbarr Sheehan, Jerry Murphy, Sara Bogosian and Michael Lally for letting us perform in their spaces, and all the wonderful local foundations for their generous grant money and support over the past 20 years. And thanks to the Lowell Sun for giving Image great coverage for 20 years.
“Lowell is lucky to have such a great theater like MRT, but I sincerely hope that a new, young theater company can come along to take our place, because Image Theater proved that there is always room for more exciting theater, theater that features only local talent. Thank you, Lowell!” Bisantz concluded.
Bisantz will continue acting, directing and writing, and Garvin will keep up with her daytime job teaching nursing. But they will look back fondly on their many successes running Image Theater Company in Lowell.
In the wings
LOWELL CHAMBER ORCHESTRA PERFORMS: “Black Resilience and Jubilation” is the title of the concert on Saturday, Feb. 7, 7:30 -8:30 p.m. at Donahue Family Academic Arts Center, 240 Central St., Lowell. An evening of works by African American artists across many styles of music — classical, gospel, jazz, and more. This concert is part of Middlesex Community College’s concert series called A World of Music.
Nancye Tuttle’s email is [email protected].
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