Arsenal Center for the Arts Merges with Watertown Children’s Theatre

The Arsenal Center for the Arts has reached an agreement to formally merge with the Watertown Children’s Theatre beginning July 1. 

While the Arsenal Center for the Arts has become a vital arts center in the Greater Boston area since September 2005, Watertown Children’s Theatre has forged deep roots in the community, recognized as a beloved institution, educating and inspiring young singers and performers since 1983. 

“The Watertown Children’s Theatre has a history of quality theatre education from full-scale musical productions to improvisational workshops in addition to dance, voice, technical theatre and stage combat,” said Founding Artistic Director Dinah Lane. 

“The merger is a natural outcome of the long-standing partnership between our two institutions. Each has particular strengths in the areas of creativity and educational resources, which, combined, will create expanded opportunities for artists of all levels and interests,” she said.  

“The decision to integrate our two non-profit organizations is an enormous advancement for the greater arts community,” said Executive Director Sharon Glennon. 

“I am excited that our singular mission will yield lasting positive cultural impact, and will allow the seed of the creative vision that was planted over 30 years ago by Dinah Lane to grow and flourish in the years to come,” he said.

The Arsenal Center will preserve the Watertown Children’s Theatre name under its umbrella, and administrative functions will be combined where possible. The Board of Directors of the Arsenal Center is committed to continue providing strong programming for students and to broaden learning opportunities in the visual, literary and performing arts. 

“The Arsenal Center for the Arts is pleased to combine forces with the Watertown Children’s Theatre. As we explored the possibility of this merger over the past eighteen months, we collectively arrived at the same conclusion - that together we are better able to support and serve our community,” said Arsenal Center Board President John Foote.   

Supporters will continue to enjoy the same engaging shows, classes and programs from the Children’s Theatre that audiences have grown to expect, yet now, they will be fully integrated into the Arsenal Center’s educational programs, allowing for the expansion of joint programming, with the added benefit of combined membership and outreach. The Arsenal Center for the Arts will also continue serving its patrons and supporters with art classes, musical performances and literary discussions. 

Located in Watertown, MA, the Arsenal Center for the Arts is a vibrant multidisciplinary venue that houses the 380-seat Charles Mosesian Theater and a 90-seat Black Box theater. Ten minutes from Boston, with free parking, the Arsenal Center for the Arts is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization located at 321 Arsenal Street.

Celebrating its 30th Anniversary this year, the Watertown Children’s Theatre has enriched the lives of thousands of local children with its award-winning programs.