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About Us: 

Barrington Enrichment Summer Theatre (B.E.S.T.) was founded by Joel Hellmann in 2002. Barrington Community Theatre became the school year counterpart to B.E.S.T., running weekday evenings during the school year to offer children as much opportunity to do theatre as possible. The two programs have put on hundreds of shows since they began. 

 

In these programs, children as young as 8 years old all the way through seniors in high school* come together, learn about theater, and rehearse short plays to perform in a festival format at the end of the session.  

 

Barrington Community Theatre (BCT) rehearses evenings 6-8pm on  Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday during the school year (each show is assigned a time slot and typically meets once each week in that same time slot**.

The school year is broken into 3 sessions: Fall, Winter, and Spring. During these sessions, each 1-act show has an hour of rehearsal per week over the course of approximately 9-10 weeks (a full length show would have a 2-hour rehearsal). Unless otherwise requested, students are generally cast in more than one show. ***

 

Barrington Enrichment Summer Theatre runs two sessions weekdays 8am-3pm in each summer. During this summer camp, in addition to rehearsing shows to perform at the end of each session (for more info, check here or contact us!), campers participate in workshops on a variety of subjects and play theatre games.

 

B.C.T./B.E.S.T. prides itself on being a welcoming and nurturing environment - the participants are welcoming and supportive of each other as they learn and grow - at different points along their paths - together. We run our program on the idea that there is something to learn in each part of theatre - and that there is a lot to gain not only from being a lead, but also from playing a supporting role, as such we strive to cast our actors as both a larger and a smaller part in each session to help them grow. Older students who wish to challenge themselves more have the opportunity to direct a show, under the guidance of a staff mentor. The internship program is open to participants of high school age who take a leadership role, and wish to challenge themselves even further with greater responsibility. We are incredibly proud of our interns, and all of our students.

*Children under 8 who are proficient readers are permitted on an individual basis. 

** Sometimes rehearsals may be rescheduled in a different time slot  to make up for holidays, snow days, and the like.

***Subject to availability 

 

 

People Have Said: 

"Incredible"               "Amazing work"                "Awesome" 

"Truly made a difference in my child's life that will extend beyond the stage."

"Great program."

"I have loved the experience."

"Safe, creative and fun space for children to grow"

"(Our Child) is literally a different person since - BCT"

"(Our Child) is happier and in better control of his emotions ..."

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Staff:

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Kelly McCabe

Executive Artistic Director

BCT Staff since 2009*

Lisa Viall Mento

Director/Staff 

BCT Staff since 2016

Jake Whitman

Director/Staff

BCT Alumni 2018 

BCT Staff since 2022

Jennifer Greffin

BEST (summer) Director/Staff

BEST Staff since 2017

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Madigan Breiding 

BEST (summer) Director/Staff BCT Alumni 2022

BEST Staff since 2022

Ben Viall

Consulting Technical Director

BEST Alumni 2003

BCT Staff since 2004

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