Category Archives: Announcements

TCS 2023-2024 DASH Nominations

Posted on July 22, 2024 by | Comments Off on TCS 2023-2024 DASH Nominations

Each year the Eastern Massachusetts Association of Community Theatres (EMACT) evaluates shows and makes nominations for DASH Awards (Distinguished Achievement and Special Honors) in many categories. The nominees for the 2023-2024 season were announced on Sunday 21 July 2024.

The Theatre Company of Saugus (TCS) production of Little Shop of Horrors, presented in October-November 2023, earned some nominations:

  • Outstanding Performance by a Cast-Musical [Best Ensemble]
  • Lead Performer in a Musical-Comedy: Michael Silvia as Seymour
  • Supporting Performer in a Musical-Comedy: Mark Damon as Orin the Dentist
  • Direction of a Musical: Jason Hair-Wynn
  • Prop Design of a Musical: Amanda Allen, Hannah Clifford, Mark Damon, Deirdre A. L. Shaw, Lauren Thompson, Jason Hair-Wynn
  • Lighting Design for a Musical: Jason Hair-Wynn and Larry Segel

And we were the winner of the award for Outstanding Performance by a Cast-Musical!

In addition, we recognize several current or former TCS members who were nominated for work done with other companies:

  • Lead Performer in a Musical-Comedy: Nick Raponi in Something Rotten at Marblehead Little Theatre
  • Lead Performer in a Musical-Drama: Sean Perry in Assassins at Colonial Chorus Players
  • Supporting Performer in a Play-Comedy: Rebecca Greene in Making God Laugh at Georgetown Theatre Workshop
  • Supporting Performer in a Musical-Drama: Em Sheeran in Cabaret at the Vokes Players
  • Supporting Performer in a Musical-Drama: Stephen Russo in Assassins at Colonial Chorus Players
  • Youth Performer in a Play: Maddie Rossi as the Kidnapped Child in Midnight and Moll Flanders at the Burlington Players – WINNER
  • Set Dressing for a Musical: Crystal Vanartsdalen for Legally Blonde at Stage 284
  • Set Design for a Musical: Crystal Vanartsdalen for Legally Blonde at Stage 284
  • Set Dressing for a Musical: Nathan Fogg-Desisto for White Christmas at Massasoit Community Theatre
  • Consultant Choice Award: Susan Harrington for the Dramaturgy of Appropriate at the Hovey Players
  • Hair & Make-Up Design for a Musical: Alexandra Dietrich for A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder at Marblehead Little Theatre
  • Stage Management for a Play: Monica Bruno for The Play That Goes Wrong at Quannapowitt Players
  • Choreography: Samantha Brior-Jones for White Christmas at Massasoit Community Theatre
  • Direction of a Play: Jill Tokac for Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde at the Footlight Club
  • Direction of a Musical: Samantha Brior-Jones and Nathan Fogg-Desisto for White Christmas at Massasoit Community Theatre

The winners of all the categories were announced at the 2024 Annual DASH Gala. This was on Saturday 24 August 2024, starting with a cocktail hour at 6:30 PM, followed by the DASH Award Ceremony at 7:30 PM. The location is Cary Memorial Hall in Lexington, Massachusetts.

Click here for the complete list of 2023-2024 DASH Nominees and Winners.

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Rick D’Eon

Posted on July 20, 2024 by | Comments Off on Rick D’Eon

TCS is sad to hear about the passing of Rick D’Eon, on July 15, 2024. He was the husband of Phyllis Scalia-D’Eon, and the father of Joshua Scalia and Mary D’Eon, all of whom have performed on the TCS stage. Mary has been involved with the youth workshop for many years.

Click here for the obituary.

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Car Wash Fundraiser 2024

Posted on July 10, 2024 by | Comments Off on Car Wash Fundraiser 2024

Because rain is expected Saturday, we have moved the date of the Car Wash Fundraiser event to the following day Sunday 14 July 2024. At the same time: 9 AM to 1 PM; and at the same place: the Saugus Senior Center. Nice weather is expected Sunday.

TCS will hold a summer Car Wash Fundraiser on Sunday 14 July 2024, from 9:00 AM until 1:00 PM.  At the Saugus Senior Center, 466 Central Street (near Hurd Avenue) in Saugus.

Only $5 to wash your car, or $7 for SUVs, trucks or vans.  Extra to clean inside windows.

If it’s a hot day –  and you would like us to spray you with the hose, there is only a small charge.

You will be attended by the cast for our upcoming production of A Year With Frog and Toad KIDS – so you will be receiving the magical treatment that only cute swamp and woodland animals can provide!

Come help us out and have some good clean fun!  If you are interested in assisting, click here to sign up to wash cars.

But even if you can’t come down and help wash, bring your car down so we can clean it up for you.  Your car is dirty and needs washing.

Proceeds will benefit our summer Youth Theatre Workshop 2024.

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2nd Year of 2nd Scholarship

Posted on June 14, 2024 by | Comments Off on 2nd Year of 2nd Scholarship

In addition to putting on shows, the mission of Theatre Company of Saugus (TCS) has been to educate our membership about theatre.  We have done this through many workshops over the years, as well as through our annual summer Youth Theatre Workshop.

For many years TCS has awarded a modest scholarship to a graduating college-bound senior at Saugus High School (SHS).  With the recognition that many TCS members do not live in Saugus, last year we initiated a new additional scholarship intended for TCS members that do not go to SHS. 

The new scholarship amount is $300, and is intended for those who will be attending college or graduate school in the fall of 2024.  The recipient should be a participant in past or current TCS productions or activities.  Preference is given to those who intend to study theatre or related arts.

Applications for the second annual award of the new scholarship are now being accepted.  The online application form asks questions about your plans for school, and your experience with TCS.  The application must be completed by July 2, 2024.  The winning recipient will be announced in mid-July.

Access the application by clicking on this link.

If you have any questions about the new scholarship or the application, please write to us at:  tcsaugus@gmail.com.  (The recipient of the original scholarship has been selected and will be announced by SHS.)

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Registration is now open for Youth Theatre Workshop Summer 2024

Posted on May 11, 2024 by | Comments Off on Registration is now open for Youth Theatre Workshop Summer 2024

Sign-up today!

Youth Theatre Workshop Session I & II and Internship Opportunities.

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Youth Theatre Workshop 2024

Posted on March 14, 2024 by | Comments Off on Youth Theatre Workshop 2024

We are delighted to announce plans for this summer’s Youth Theatre Workshop, now in its 14th year. There will be two programs, as there was in the past few years. Auditions are used to assign roles to all the workshop participants.

The workshop for Younger kids, in grades 1 thru 8, will be July 8 thru 19, Monday thru Friday, 9 AM to 4 PM. Leading up to performances of the junior musical A Year With Frog and Toad KIDS, on Fri-Sat-Sun 19-20-21 July 2024. The auditions will be Sunday 30 June starting at 4:00 PM. The callback auditions will be Monday 1 July at 6:00 PM. Both the auditions and callbacks will also be meet & greet session for parents.

The junior musical show for Older kids, in grades 6 thru 12 will be Xanadu Jr. Performances will be Fri-Sat-Sun 23-24-25 August 2024. Auditions will be on Tuesday 18 June at 7:00 PM, with callbacks on Thursday 20 June at 7:00 PM. Rehearsals will be on three weekday evenings, starting the last week of June.

Much of the staff is returning from last year. For the Younger kids the stage director will be Britt Mitchell, the choreographer will be Amanda Allen, the musical director will be KG Spungen, and the tech director will be Sean Perry. For the Older kids, the stage director will be Becca Griffing, and the musical director will also be KG Spungen.

The registration materials and more details are coming soon.

If we are unable to secure the rights to perform Frog and Toad, we will instead present Disney’s Alice in Wonderland JR.

Adapted from the three-time-Tony-nominated Broadway hit comes A Year with Frog and Toad KIDS. Based on Arnold Lobel’s well-loved books, the jazzy, upbeat score bubbles with melody. Part vaudeville, part make-believe, and all charm, A Year with Frog and Toad KIDS tells the story of a friendship that endures throughout the seasons.

This whimsical show follows two great friends – the cheerful, popular Frog, and the rather grumpy Toad – through four fun-filled seasons. Waking from hibernation, Frog and Toad plant gardens, swim, rake leaves, go sledding and learn life lessons along the way. Throughout the year, two best friends celebrate and rejoice in the differences that make them unique and special, along with their friends Turtle, Mouse, Lizard, Snails, Birds, Moles, and Squirrels.

Xanadu JR. is inspired by the Tony Award-nominated Broadway musical and the Universal Pictures’ cult classic movie that starred Olivia Newton-John and Gene Kelly.  Xanadu JR. is a moving, electrifying tale of endless fun that will keep audiences in stitches while the original, legendary chart-topping tunes lift them out of their seats.

Xanadu JR. follows the journey of a magical and beautiful Greek muse, Kira, who descends from the heavens of Mt. Olympus to Venice Beach, California, on a quest to inspire a struggling artist, Sonny, to achieve the greatest artistic creation of all time – the first Roller Disco. (Hey, it’s 1980!) But, when Kira falls into forbidden love with the mortal Sonny, her jealous sisters take advantage of the situation, and chaos abounds.

Step into the wacky world of Wonderland in this vibrant new retelling of a Disney classic!

Fall down the rabbit hole with Alice as she navigates the curious world of Wonderland on a journey of self-discovery. When young Alice finds herself in a strange world where everything seems upside down, she must find her way home…and find herself along the way. As she travels through Wonderland, she encounters all of the iconic characters that audiences have come to love: including the ever-tardy White Rabbit, the grinning Cheshire Cat, a cool Caterpillar, the wacky Mad Hatter, and the hot-tempered Queen of Hearts.

Alice in Wonderland JR. features Disney favorites such as “The Golden Afternoon,” “The Unbirthday Song,” and “Painting the Roses Red” along with brand-new songs, including music from the 2010 live-action film. Whether this is your first experience with Alice or your hundredth, you’ll fall in love all over again with this timeless story of adventure, imagination, and pure fun!

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Posted in Announcements, Auditions

Lance Norris

Posted on December 12, 2023 by | Comments Off on Lance Norris

The Theatre Company of Saugus regrets the passing of Lance Norris, on December 10, 2023. He was an actor, director, and radio personality. He directed the TCS production of the play Sabrina Fair in November 2009. Here is a link to his Wikipedia page. 

Here is a link to obituary information.

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Nominations to the Board of Directors / Election Sunday 10 December

Posted on December 5, 2023 by | Comments Off on Nominations to the Board of Directors / Election Sunday 10 December


The Theatre Company of Saugus is managed by a Board of Directors. There are nine members serving staggered three-year terms. Each year we hold an election to fill vacant positions.

This year three board members are retiring at the end of their terms, and one open term has a year to go because of a resignation. We thank Matt Garlin, Victoria Isotti, Lauren Lyon, and Deirdre Shaw for their service on the board the past several years. Those continuing on the board include Jeff Bliss, Billy Jenkins, Sherri Raftery, Larry Segel, and Ben Tan.

We are nominating three people for election to the board: Mark Damon, Lauren Thompson, and Kaycee Wilson. We are also still seeking an additional person to fill the fourth opening on the board. We need knowledgeable and responsible theater people to help manage the company.

Additional nominations can be made from the floor prior to the election vote. This will happen in person at our Annual Membership Meeting, which is during our holiday party event next Sunday 10 December 2023 starting at 2:00 PM at the American Legion Post 210 / 44 Taylor Street / Saugus, Massachusetts 01906. All members of the company for 2023 are eligible to vote.

Mark Damon and Lauren Thompson were in our recent production of Little Shop of Horrors, and have been in previous TCS shows. Kaycee Wilson was the director of Zombie Prom and was in Comedy of Errors.

Following the election, the board will meet and elect the officers of the company: President, Vice President, Treasurer, Recording Secretary, Corresponding Secretary. This meeting will be on Wednesday 13 December at 7:30 PM via Zoom. The meeting includes all retiring, continuing, and newly elected board members.

In addition to the regular Board of Directors, we also have Alternate Board Members. They also attend board meetings and can vote if we need additional people to make up a quorum.

Want to get involved but not yet ready to commit to several years? Alternate board members serve for one-year terms. Alternate board members for 2024 will also be selected at the Annual Meeting/Party. Current Alternate members include: Heather Beatty, Dylan Bushe, Rosemary DeGregorio, and Jill Sliby. Deirdre Shaw is interested in joining the Alternate board.

What is required of regular board members?

  • Attendance at monthly board meetings, at which we decide what shows to do, interview and hire directors and other staff, plan events, etc. Currently these meetings have been on Wednesday evenings starting at 7:30 PM, via Zoom. Meetings usually last one to two hours.
  • Some of the board members are Officers, serving one-year terms: President, Vice President, Treasurer, Recording Secretary, Corresponding Secretary.
  • Serving on committees: Play Reading / Production Planning, Nominating, Scholarship, Finance, etc. This requires just a few extra meetings.
  • Being available to work on shows, during Auditions and from Load-In to Strike.
  • Other tasks for which you have a skill or interest: Publicity, Marketing, Recruiting good talent, Technical Theater, Producing

Board members are not always exclusive to TCS, they may work for other theatre groups, as long as they can fulfill their obligations to TCS.

Please contact us ASAP if you have any questions or interest. Write to us at TCSaugus@gmail.com and we will get back to you.

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