By Geena Monahan—For the North Star Reporter
Jon Mael, founding artistic director of the New England Public Theatre, went before the Zoning Board of Appeals on May 27 to seek a special variance to operate a black box theater out of an empty space on the third floor of the Emerald Square Mall.
The board unanimously approved the variance, 5-0, bringing the project one step closer to fruition.
“I think all members of the board were supportive of the proposal,” said Benjamin Dowling, chair of the zoning board. “It promises to breathe some life into the mall and to bring additional theater arts to North Attleborough.”
Mael, a resident of Sharon and teacher of television production and theater at West Bridgewater Middle-Senior High School, has been passionate about theater his entire life, something he calls the “light of his day.” Around February of this year he began toying with the idea of opening his own space and looked at numerous options in both Massachusetts and Rhode Island.
“I didn’t see a lot of the theater that I personally love being made in our area,” said Mael. “Also, in a personal sense and career direction, I’ve just always wanted to have a theater and take on that challenge. It felt like the right time.”
To Mael, the third-floor empty space in the mall, situated next to Josh’s Toys and Games, has all of the right attributes needed to run a theater. Large rooms with open floor plans and high ceilings is, according to Mael, all that’s needed to construct a theater space, noting that mall owners have been extremely easy to work with.
The storefront, previously an American Eagle, will be transformed into a theater consisting of 150 non-fixed seats and a 16’ x 20’ performance area. The former store’s dressing room will serve as green room space, with a workshop and storage area towards the back.
“Malls are not what they were in the 80s, where it’s just a food court and a bunch of stores,” said Mael. “I go to the mall and see an escape room, a co-working space, people put cinemas in the mall, there’s museums in malls. So, having a theater center is, to me, a perfectly reasonable thing.”
Mael hopes to open the theater by the fall, and plans to bring regional, semi-professional performances to the area. While theater lovers can go to Boston to see full-scale productions or their local school to see a youth performance of “Seussical,” Mael hopes to establish his place in a third category — putting on high-quality, local shows with a dedicated group of practitioners.
“In the beginning, at least, we’re going to focus on doing innovative, challenging theater. Theater that’s starting conversations, theater that’s going to draw people from out of town,” said Mael.
With the mall being in close proximity to Rhode Island universities, Mael hopes to attract college students — not only as customers, but also as creative staff or volunteers. North Attleborough’s easy access to highways is also something Mael thinks will make the theater a great alternative for those who don’t want to travel to Boston. In his presentation brought before the ZBA, Mael listed the following goals for what he hopes his theater can bring to the community:
- A main stage season of four shows per year, each running for 10 performances.
- Classes for adults and teens in scene study, physical acting, improv comedy and technical theater.
- Summer intensive programs for teens and youth, complete with a live performance.
- Fundraising opportunities such as poetry slams or open mic nights.
Mael plans to offer concessions, and is exploring the idea of opening up a wine bar as well.
“I’m extremely grateful for the town opening their arms to this project, and we’re not going to let you guys down,” said Mael. “We’re going to give you something great.”