New theater troupe offers a space for all voices & stories

A new Methuen-based community theater group gets its inspiration from what some people might consider an unlikely source – black dogs in animal shelters.

Despite being just as loving and deserving of a home as the other animals, black dogs are often overlooked and left behind because of people’s misconceptions and biases, according to the group.

“Much like these animals, many voices and stories in our society go unnoticed, unheard or unappreciated,” say the founders of Black Dog Theatre. “Our mission is to challenge these biases by bringing to life the narratives and talents that are often hidden in the shadows.

Through our performances, we strive to create a platform where every story, no matter how marginalized, is given the chance to be seen, heard, and celebrated.”

According to the group’s president, Haley Unger, the non-profit had its first meeting last September and its board staged its first production, “It’s a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play,” at Pilgrim Congregational Church in Merrimac in December.

Several of the Black Dog group members had been active in the Pentucket Players’ production of “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee” musical last year.

At a cast party, the friends pondered: What were they going to do next?

“We all had this idea of starting our own theater,” Unger recalled. “We all had that same thought. What if we did do it? We’re like, why not?”
“We wanted people in the community to be a part of it. Have theater that makes them excited and welcomed and be a part of,” Unger continued. “We wanted to have space where they would feel they could come and join us, whether in the audience or on the stage or behind the scenes.”

Black Dog, which according to Unger is interested in pursuing different avenues of theater, seeks to bring difficult and mentally stimulating topics to the forefront, according to its website.

“We want to do a mix of some musicals, some lesser-known pieces that have characters or stories that shed light on some harder topics or topics that (should) be talked about,” Unger said.

In early May, Black Dog will stage two evening performances of “Hope Floats: A Musical Revue.”

The organization describes the family-friendly show as “inspiring performances featuring songs from contemporary musical theater that will lift your spirit and remind you that even in life’s stormiest moments hope always finds a way to rise.”

“We have people who have been doing theater their whole life and we have some in the show who have never done a musical ever,” Unger said.
According to the group’s artistic director, Methuen resident Todd Coolidge, the show, at its core, is about the resilience of the human spirit.
“I hope people leave feeling seen, feeling a little less alone in whatever they’re carrying. This show doesn’t try to fix anything or pretend everything’s OK. It’s a journey through fear, doubt and loss, and somehow through all of that, toward something like light,” he shared.

“Every performer poured their own story into these songs, and through that we’re inviting the audience to find themselves inside the music. That’s the power of theater – to remind us, especially when we need it most, that we’re not broken, and we’re not alone.”

Unger said that during its first season, theater members have been getting involved in the community, including volunteering at the Methuen YMCA, contributing to a veterans food drive and participating in the Methuen Festival of Trees – local initiatives that make a difference in the city.

“We are trying, as best as we can, to spread our roots to all the local businesses,” Unger said.

Black Dog Theatre plans to announce a full performance season in August and will stage a summer play.

“We’ve just gotten started but the reception we’ve gotten so far as been great,” Unger said.

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IF YOU GO

Black Dog Theatre presents “Hope Floats: A Musical Revue” at 7:30pm on Friday, May 9 and Saturday, May 10 at The Real School of Music, 3 Dundee Park Drive, Andover. $20 per person; $15 for seniors 65 and up and children 12 and under. Tickets: blackdogtheatre.ludus.com/index.php.