About Us

"The purpose of "RISE on Broadway" is to promote community theater for educational and artistic purposes, by providing a venue for individuals of all ages, to explore and cultivate their talents and skill sets in all aspects of live theater production and producing high quality, affordable live entertainment."

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We are a group of local talents who have worked with Theatre Works, Cumberland Company, Yankee Wing Theater, TCRI, Encore Repertory, All Children’s Theatre, Steps Off Broadway and other assorted theatre groups in Rhode Island, Massachusetts and beyond. A few of us have also dabbled in the independent film field and worked in the television industry. Among the members are two Emerson Graduates, including a director who recently received his Masters Degree , younger members who are currently studying theater in Rhode Island colleges and some “seasoned” veterans with decades of theater experience. Unlike many theater companies that are started by a group of actors wanting a venue for their craft, RISE consists of people from all aspects of theater including stage managers, technical directors, costumers, set design and construction persons, publicity representatives and more. These are successful business people who, by day are professionals in such fields as engineering, law, marketing and sales, and finance but by night and weekends they join forces to express their passion and talent for the performing arts.

With a common passion and a shared goal in mind we are headed for “Broadway” - not in New York, but in Providence, Rhode Island. We have formed a non-profit theater group called RISE on Broadway (Rhode Island Stage Ensemble on Broadway) and will begin performing this Fall at The Columbus Theater on Broadway in Providence, RI.

The members and volunteers of RISE are taking everything that we have learned and are bringing all our skills and talents to create what we know will be a feast for the senses and a fantastic stage production. Weare going to begin with a strong focus on “family theater” in the grand theater portion of The Columbus and then, in the future, we will add some artistic pieces in the smaller “multiplex” portion.

Our focus is not only to offer a venue for Providence’s diversified area talent but to offer the “live theater experience” to families that would otherwise not be able to afford it and if that’s not enough RISE wants its collaboration with Columbus Theater owner and manager, Jon S. Berberian, to lend a hand in the continuing restoration of this beautiful theater and in expanding its programming.  So now in 2006 our group, “Rise on Broadway”, is starting our voyage with The Columbus, calling it home for our large scale family productions. So, here’s everyone’s chance to enjoy great, affordable live theater in a beautiful setting and help restore this “piece of history” in Providence.  We hope everyone will come and join us!!