Behind the Scenes: Meg Taintor

As of this coming Monday morning, Meg Taintor is officially OHA’s Producing Artistic Director. While those of us down here at the Opera House, as well as the folks who came to March’s community potluck, have gotten the chance to get to know her a bit, there are still so many more questions to ask. Before we get started, allow us to assure you that we already know the most important of answers – yes, Meg likes dogs. Now we can move on to the next queries, though honestly, this picture may tell us everything we need to know…

Little Meg, clowning around…

1. Where did you grow up?

I grew up in Holliston, MA, which is a suburb about 25 miles south-west of Boston: quiet town, picket fences – that sort of thing. I didn’t appreciate it when I was a teenager there – but I now I completely recognize it for the lovely New England town that it is.

2. How would your elementary school classmates remember you?

Giggling. I used to (and still occasionally do) get stuck in the giggles – something would set me off and then I’d be helplessly laughing and trying to gasp out whatever it was that had set me off – which was never as funny as it had originally struck me.

Most recently this happened to me while I was trying to tell a story about my cat, Oscar, seeking escape from being cat-sit at my friend’s house by diving out the open window – only to be caught by his hind-paws by my lightning-reflexed friend. That one is as funny as I think it is….

3. Name four fictional characters with whom you’d be okay being stuck in an elevator. Why them?

Eliza Bennett (from Pride and Prejudice) – we could entertain each other with arch comments and witty banter.

Kvothe (from the King Killer Chronicles) – he could play soothing music for me and wax poetical. Also, never hurts to have a magician on hand, right?

Sydney Carton (from A Tale of Two Cities) – because I’ve been in love with him since I was 12 years old. Seriously. He’s dreamy.

Pi (from Life of Pi)- anyone who travels across the ocean with a Bengal tiger for company is good in my book. Also, he could spin amazing stories for us about our time in the elevator.

4. If you were a cartoon character, which cartoon character would you be?

Lisa Simpson. I’m a proud, self-proclaimed nerd – pre-occupied with social and environmental justice – and I really really like things to be somewhat ordered. Lisa is also an artist (although I’m most definitely not a musician – I collect instruments believing I will learn to play them and then failing to do that) and an avid reader. And, as my hair is currently growing out from being buzzed, I do indeed have pointy, spiky, triangular hair.

(**Editorial Note: It’s a good sign when the new Producing Artistic Director’s animated alter-ego is in OHA colors.)

5. When did you fall in love with theater?

I’ve loved it most of my life – but when I was 13, I saw a production of Waiting for Godot at the American Repertory Theatre that changed my life. I knew that I wanted to learn how to do THAT. Then, a couple years later, I interned at the ART for their production of Long Day’s Journey into Night and that was when I knew that I was in the right place. Never looked back since.


You can get more information about Meg here and we hope to see you down at the OHA office saying hi next week!

Throwback Thursday

The DaPonte String Quartet at the Burnt Cove Church in 2012. 

The DaPonte String Quartet will be back this summer for Chamber at the Church. Get your tickets or subscription today!

Behind the Scenes: Nicole Nolan

OHA is very lucky to be located on an island chock-full of talented, involved students. They take part in our educational program, they shine on our stage and they work behind our counters.

Deer Isle-Stonington High School junior Nicole Nolan has performed in three shows at the Opera House — Men’s Lives, R&J&Z, and Romeo and Juliet. Not to mention that Nicole is one of our wonderful Assistant House Managers, has been an OHA intern two summers running and is about to embark on her third. Today she’s here to fill us in on a few more details….

Nicole in last summer’s production of Romeo & Juliet.

1. What’s your favorite part about growing up in Stonington?

Growing up here, there isn’t a lot to do, so I had to find ways to not be bored. I spent most of my time with my family because they all live on the island. That was my favorite part about growing up on the island because I could see my family when ever I wanted to, particularly my grandmother who lived across the road from me.

2. What one word would your friends use to describe you?

Crazy.

3. If you were a cartoon character, which cartoon character would you be?

I would be Yogi Bear because I would love to eat all the food he finds in those pic-i-nic baskets.

4. When did you fall in love with theater?

I loved theater all through out elementary school, but I fell in love with it after 2 years of working at the Opera House. I was around people who shared the same passion as myself, and I’d never had that before.

Nicole is currently directing the student-run “Our Own” Staged Community Playreading of columbinus. Come out and support our amazing students next Wednesday, May 27 and Thursday, May 28 at 7pm!

Look for Nicole on stage again this summer as Lady Anne Page in The Merry Wives of Windsor, directed by Jeffrey Frace.

Throwback Thursday

Nicole Nolan, Peter Richards and Per Janson in the 2014 Shakespeare in Stonington production of Romeo & Juliet.

Nicole and Per are pairing up again in next week’s student-run “Our Own” Staged Community Playreading of columbinus, directed by Nicole and featuring Per alongside talented current and former area students. Join us on Wednesday, May 27 or Thursday, May 28 at 7pm!

Peter Richards returns to the island this summer to direct an exciting site-specific production of Chekhov’s The Seagull, as well as the next in the “Our Own” series – Dylan Thomas’ Under Milkwood. Email info@operahousearts.org to get on this list to read this community classic, August 5-6.

And, of course, Shakespeare in Stonington will be back strong this year, with a mischievous and merry rendition of The Merry Wives of Windsor. Get your tickets here!

Behind the Scenes: Bob Tobin

Today we welcome Bob Tobin – Episcopal priest, retired educator, OHA’s new Board Chair, and all-around swell guy – to give us insight into his elementary school years, his love for the theater and why his elevator is so very crowded…

1. Where did you grow up?

Austin, Texas.

2. How would your elementary school classmates remember you?

Probably as a semi-nerd. I did better after I got to junior high and high school.

3. Name four fictional characters with whom you’d be okay being stuck in an elevator. Why them?

Zorba the Greek (Zorba the Greek) – He would raise my spirits. He’s a character who fills the room. Very positive and adventuresome.

Holden Caulfield (The Catcher in the Rye) – He was sort of a rebel.

Randle McMurphy (One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest)– Probably the same reason as Holden. He wanted to defy authority in a strange but positive way.

Eugenia “Skeeter” Phelan (The Help) – She had courage to face any situation.

Minny Jackson (The Help) – She was another one who defied authority.

Atticus Finch (To Kill a Mockingbird) – He was steady, smart, committed and compassionate.

4. If you were a cartoon character, what cartoon character would you be?

The Phantom, he’s mysterious.

5. When did you fall in love with theater?

Probably when I was helping backstage at some summer programs in high school out at Barton Springs, in Austin.

Come say hi to Bob at this weekend’s CAB meeting, followed by OHA’s Annual Volunteer Clean Up and Maintenance Day from 1pm to 4pm. For more information, email info@operahousearts.org, call 367-2788, or just stop by the theater in your cleaning or gardening clothes on Saturday May 16.

Throwback Thursday

 Peter Boie masters the straight jacket during his 2011 “Live! for $5″ performance.

We have some great acts on tap for this year’s “Live! for $5.” Click here to see them all!

Behind the Scenes: Pam Getto

Whether you’ve hung out with her in OHA’s box office or seen her on stage at either the Opera House or in her many Cabin Fever roles, if you’re a lover of theater on the island, you know Pam Getto. Today, however, we offer you the special chance to find out what cartoon hybrid she would be. As well as why her elevator wouldn’t be all that crowded….

1. Where did you grow up?

Stonington, Maine. It was a great place to grow up, very safe. All my family was here. My mother’s the oldest of 12, so I had a lot of cousins and family around all the time, which was great. And you go to school with the same 30 kids through high school, so you’re all like one big, happy family. Most of the time.

2. How would your elementary school classmates remember you?

I was never shy. I was never quiet. I was very bossy. Who would believe it? They’re all still living here, so you could ask them.

3. Name four fictional characters with whom you’d be okay being stuck in an elevator. Why them?

Don Draper from Mad Men. And no one else. It would be weird if there was anyone else in there with us. Nudge, nudge. Wink, Wink. But he couldn’t smoke in there.

4. If you were a cartoon character, which cartoon character would you be?

Marge Simpson mixed with Jane Jetson mixed with Jessie.

5. When did you fall in love with theater?

I always have been. I love being on stage. I was always fighting to have the solo in the chorus, but since I was the only one who wanted it, that was pretty easy. And then I was in a commercial in third grade. I got to see the whole process. So then all that summer I directed my brother and cousins in “commercials.” I just fell in love with it.


You can catch up with Pam this weekend at While We Were Young, or visit her during the week in the box office and find out about our upcoming summer season!