art, theater, dance and more revive Mill Pond Center for the Arts

With a full schedule of summer activities, as well as a summer concert series on the horizon, the Mill Pond Center for the Arts is right where it wants to be. However, it took a long road to get here.

The center, a former inn tucked off Route 108 Durham, was founded in 1981 when Lewis and Judith Roberts purchased the property. After two more owners came and left, the 17-acre farm finally settled into the hands of community volunteers with the help of private donations and the Greater Piscataqua Community Foundation.

“We are finally getting to where we want to be,” says Katie Muth, executive director.
Primarily, Muth and the board of trustees simply want to see the property used.

The Mill Pond Center is set in a picturesque field bordered by pine woods at the edge of the Oyster River in Durham. It includes a barn, built between 1915 and 1920, that houses a dance studio on the main floor and an intimate 90-seat theater in the loft. There’s also a farmhouse, used for administration, classes, to display artwork and more, that was originally a built as a tavern in 1687.

One of the visions is for the space is to be a venue for emerging artists and to host a long-term artist in residence. Muth and the trustees also would like to see the theater become more active. This summer it will host a handful of performances, including “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” on Aug. 8 and 13 by the New England Shakespeare Festival. There are also plans to invite University of New Hampshire student productions to use the intimate 90-seat theater in the loft of the barn.

“We want to help other people in the arts. We are really trying to reach out to the community,” Muth says.

The rest of the property, including a pottery room and dance space, has been, on and off, the home of a wide variety of programs and activities for people of all ages. The center experienced a burst of activity under executive director Bill Kraus, who was hired in 2003 and laid the foundation for the programs that are available today, with workshops, theater performances and dance classes. However, things quieted for a time after he resigned. Tom Scharff, the executive director in 2005, created the first Music in the Meadow Concert Series and also developed their pottery program. However, Scharff also left shortly into his tenure.

During that time, the pace of activities has been uneven. At points, few programs and events were offered, and the organization struggled with funding.

“Mill Pond has had the funding issues which face all non-profit organizations,” says Cheryl Hoffman, chief financial officer, who has been with Mill Pond Center for over a year. Of great help was a grant from the Otto Fund through the New Hampshire Charitable Foundation, as well as the tenure of Katie Muth as executive director beginning in September 2005.

Regular programs include a writing class for adults, as well as a pottery class for children and adults. The Mill Pond Center also hosted a Halloween event for children which provided trick or treating, pumpkin carving and a reading by renowned young local actor Cameron  Brown, which caused the theater to overflow with children. This winter saw a full schedule of programs and events that continued into the spring with Woman’s Night Out, a series that ties people in the community and local businesses with the arts. The next in the series is “Summer Salads,” featuring salads donated by local restaurants and caterers.

Though they’re located on busy Route 108, they’ve had trouble getting the word out about their facility. That’s changing, though.

“Our volunteer staff is stronger than ever and Mill Pond just received an award through Fidelity Investments, citing Mill Pond as ‘Community Investor of the Year,’” Hoffman notes. And, she adds, they’re seeing more and more new faces at every event. “Artists are contacting us, asking to teach, perform and display their artwork.”

Muth’s background surely helped with the reemergence of the property. Muth, a Durham residence of 15 years, previously worked in independent schools. She got involved at The Mill Pond Center by helping with student activities such as plays, musicals, fundraising and more. Among the programs she has introduced are summer camp scholarships for children in the local elementary school and hosting of the Oyster River High School Senior Art Show.

Education and creativity come together in many of the centers programs, which feature dance with Ballet New England, storytelling, pottery, drawing and theater. Their Theatre in the Meadow Series will host Touring Actors Company’s “Romeo and Juliet” on July 29 and The New England Shakespeare Festival in August.

Perhaps one of the most anticipated events of the summer is their second annual summer concert series, Music in the Meadow. The first performance features David Bromberg and The Angel Band on Friday, July 21. The second performance of the summer is on Aug. 5 with Cherish the Ladies, a five-member group that’s been performing together for 19 years, playing Irish music that’s earned them accolades from the Boston Globe, The Washington Post and The New York Times. Next will be Grace Potter and The Nocturnals on Friday, Aug. 11. The band, which has toured with Dave Matthews, plays a blend of genres reminiscent of music from the 1960s and ‘70s. Finally, completing the series on Saturday, Aug. 26 is The Mammals, who combine rock with traditional Appalachian music as they travel across the country to perform.

Families are invited to pack some food and drinks and spread out on the beautiful meadow while they enjoy the music. “We just want to share the arts with the community,” says Muth.

Music in the Meadow
Mill Pond Center for the Arts, Route 108, Durham
Friday, July 21: David Bromberg and the Angel Band
Saturday, Aug. 5: Cherish the Ladies
Friday, Aug. 11: Grace Potter and the Nocturnals
Saturday, Aug. 26: The Mammals
Tickets are $30-$15, available at 603-868-8999, 603-659-6321 or www.thestonechurch.com.

also in concert
Rachael Davis, Sunday, July 16 at 2 p.m., $10 at the door.

on stage
Romeo and Juliet, presented by Touring Actors Company, Saturday, July 29 at 10am, $5
A Midsummer Night’s Dream, presented by New England Shakespeare Festival, Tuesday, Aug. 8 at 6:30 p.m. and Sunday, Aug. 13 at 3 p.m., $5 or free for children under 8 years of age.