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Since its spirited beginning in 1931, The Barnstormers Theatre of Tamworth has had only two Artistic Directors. The first was co-founder Francis Cleveland, the son of the late President Grover Cleveland. When Francis passed away in 1995 there was only one person who could fill his shoes and that was Clapham "Cope" Murray, who had been assisting him for his final five seasons. After 45 summers with the Barnstormers as an actor, a director, and for the last 7 years as Artistic Director, Cope finally was able to convince the Board of Directors that he was serious about retiring from the Artistic Director's position. Sadly but respectfully, the Board of the Barnstormers began a quest for the right person to follow in the footsteps of these two great directors. The long search has resulted in the appointment of Richard G. Poole as Artistic Director.
Rick, as he prefers to be called, is currently a member of the faculty of Northern Illinois University in DeKalb, Illinois. Previously Rick worked extensively in New York City as a director and teacher. He has coached actors in several award winning Broadway, Off Broadway and TV productions. He also taught for several years at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts and at Rutgers University.
For ten years he was the executive director of New York's Nat Horne Theatre, which was the home of three separate theatre companys. In that capacity, he took part in helping to develop New York's Theatre Row. Rick is also associated with the New Dramatists of Chicago, with whom he and several Chicago playwrights workshopped new plays in conjunction with the acting program at Northern Illinois. He has taught and coached in New York, Chicago and Los Angeles, and has given Master classes at he Gaiety School of Acting, and at the Abbey Theatre, both in Dublin, Ireland. Rick has indicated that he plans no major changes to The Barnstormers' tradition of classic summer theatre.
Rick's wife, Katherine Gately, who is an actress, is also very involved in teaching theatre and in music. They have a 12-year-old daughter.
For more information please contact our Director of Marketing and Public Relations:
Donna Woodward Business Enhancements
HCR 68, Box 52A
Fryeburg, Maine 04037
Tel: 207 935-3959
Fax: 207 935-7388
E-Mail: donna@pivot.net
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