EastLine Theatre
Location: 2123 Wantagh Ave, Wantagh, NY 11793
Phone: (516) 749-5047
Website: http://www.eastlineproductions.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/eastlinetheatre/
Email: eastlinetheatre@gmail.com
GoFundMe: https://www.gofundme.com/eastline/
Twitter: @EastLineTheatre
STAFF:
Daniel Higgins: Executive Artistic Director/Resident Director
Matthew Rosenberg: Production Manager
Patrick Finn: Associate Artistic Director
Bridget LaCova: Resident Stage Manager
OTHER PEOPLE INVOLVED IN YOUR PRODUCTIONS:
The Board includes President Robert Higgins, Vice President Susan Berkowitz and Board Members Bill Cherno and Steven Predergast, who is responsible for all the theater’s operational management and oversight.
Interviewed: Daniel Higgins
HISTORY OF THE COMPANY:
EastLine Theatre, a 42-seat black-box theater known for staging innovative productions in an intimate setting was originally formed in 2013 as the for-profit theater company, EastLine Productions. Daniel Higgins was named EastLine Production’s Artistic Director in 2015. In September of 2017, EastLine Productions was acquired by a new management group, which made the old EastLine Productions into a new not-for-profit theatre company, which is now called EastLine Theatre.
TYPE OF PRODUCTIONS (MUSICAL, PLAY, ORIGINAL, CHILDREN, ETC):
EastLine will be producing plays, musicals and original works. It is also currently working on the launch of a theater program, which is performed by adults, but which is also designed to bring children into the theater at an early age and encourage their interest in the Arts.
HOW MANY PER YEAR:
As above, EastLine has eight (8) Mainstage productions scheduled for 2018. It is also launching its inaugural “Spotlight” series, which will bring very innovative and especially creative works to the Long Island theater community. We are planning one Spotlight show in 2018.
PERFORMANCE SPACE:
EastLine is the quintessential “black box” theater. When in proscenium, the theater seats 42, but the space can also be transformed into “the round” with sections of seating on both the East and West side of the stage. Unlike many other community theaters, EastLine is incredibly lucky to have a permanent home in Wantagh, NY. This allows us to do really interesting things with our space, including high-end light and sound and production design.
SPECIAL AUDIENCE – SIGNING FOR DEAF, HEADSETS, WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE:
The theater is wheelchair accessible. We also have a staff which works incredibly hard to meet the needs of our audience whatever they may be.
FAVORITE PRODUCTION:
For me, this is akin to trying to pick your favorite child. For me, it’s simply not possible. Everything EastLine has produced and continues to is produce contributes meaningfully to our and my overall process. Every show has its own learning, and it keeps us humble knowing we can always learn from each production and do better next time around. So, I guess, the honest answer to your question is that my favorite production has been the creation of the new EastLine.
CRAZY / FUNNY INCIDENT:
Recently, an actor hurt her ankle during a performance and we had to come in the next day and re-block the entire show so she could do it in a wheelchair. The cast ended up making the best of it and the show was 10x funnier for it.
PLANS FOR FUTURE:
“So many” is my answer to this. We want to continue to do the work we are doing and refine our approach and production quality. We continue to improve our space both in terms of sets and visuals and also in terms of audience comfort. In addition, EastLine is planning to add more original works, including one currently being co-developed by Daniel Higgins. One of our key future goals is to create greater awareness about the things EastLine is doing because they are so unique.
ANYTHING ELSE YOU WANT TO SHARE:
We are incredibly excited about the things that are going on at EastLine and about our ability to contribute to the Long Island theater community now and in the future. We love being on Long Island are grateful for its amazing cultural and artistic resources, including its wide variety of artists. We hope that people read this overview and begin to understand that EastLine is a remarkable and unique place and we very much desire to share it with new talent and audiences. So please come stop by and join us on this exciting journey.
Previous Theatres: