Thomaston’s Backyard Theater Ensemble is one of two companies representing Connecticut in the New England Regional Theater Festival.  Competing with companies from New Hampshire, Maine, and Massachusetts, the winner of this festival will proceed to Michigan for the national competition.    The  festival will be held at the Nancy Marine Studio Theater in Torrington.  The festival will be held Saturday 2/28 and Sunday 2/29.  The Saturday session starts at 1:00 p.m with “Rabbit Hole” performed by the first Massachusetts troupe followed by “Spring Awakening,” from the Lexington (Massachusetts) Players. Session 2 is Connecticut’s turn which starts at 6pm with  “Winter Flowers,” performed by Torrington’s very own Warner Stage Company. This performance will be followed by “Laundry and Bourbon,” the Backyard Theatre Ensemble entry.

Backyard Theater Ensemble rehearses in Thomaston’s Opera House

Sunday’s performances will be performed by the two New Hampshire companies and two Maine companies.

Now each day of the festival, the ticket is only 15 dollars for the entire day’s performances which means you have the ability to see four performances each day for the one ticket price.

Why you should go:

1) This is quality theater-the theatergoer will enjoy the best of the best for each participating state’s theater companies will perform the award winning pieces that got them to this festival.

2) The theatergoer will experience the fact that this is still a competition during this festival. A winner WILL be named and will then go to Michigan for the National competition. Those theatergoers from Connecticut have the opportunity to support the Connecticut entries Saturday 6-8pm (approximately-but must be in the door BEFORE 6pm)

3) This competition is the theater equivalent to Iron Chef. There is a limited time and there are specific rules. This creates even more excitement for the work that will be performed on stage.

4) As a theatergoer one can’t beat the price at 15 dollars for four shows for each day.