Actors' Shakespeare Project Strengthens Somerville Ties

The Actors' Shakespeare Project, which is celebrating its 10th season this year, will be spending even more time in Somerville over the next decade.

The organization, which stages productions of Shakespeare's work and develops educational programs for students, teachers and others, including seniors and incarcerated youth, recently received a $500,000 gift from the Parker Family Fund at the Boston Foundation to create a permanent rehearsal room at The Center for Arts at the Armory, according to an announcement from the theatre group.

Sara Stackhouse, executive producer of the Actors' Shakespeare Project, said for the past 10 years the company has had to beg, borrow and steal rehearsal space throughout the Boston area.

The $500,000 gift will allow the organization to rent, for 10 years, a suite on the second floor of the Armory, where the group already has offices, Stackhouse said.

It will be nice for the actors to have a permanent space to call home, she said.

The Actors Shakespeare Project has performed in Somerville in the past, most recently a production of Two Gentlemen of Verona, performed at the Davis Square Theatre, and Stackhouse said she hopes the rehearsal space will lead to even more performances in Somerville.

The organization also works with Somerville High School, among other schools, collaborating with teachers and running occasional workshops for students, Stackhouse said.

The Actors Shakespeare Project made the announcement March 14 in Boston with Somerville Mayor Joseph Curtatone and Boston Mayor Thomas Menino. They also announced their 10th anniversary season:

• Romeo and Juliet, by William Shakespeare, Oct. 2, 2013 to Nov. 3, 2013 at the Strand Theatre in Dorchester
• Henry VIII, by William Shakespeare, Dec. 11, 2013 to Jan. 5, 2014, at the Modern Theatre at Suffolk University
• The Cherry Orchard by Anton Chekhov, Feb. 14, 2014 to March 9, 2014, with the venue to be announced
• As You Like It, by William Shakespeare, April 16, 2014 to May 18, 2014, with the venue to be announced

Stackhouse said she was glad Curtatone attended the March 14 announcement in Boston, calling him a "true advocate for the arts."