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About Shaker Bridge Theatre

Shaker Bridge Theatre will kick off its 16th season from its new home at The Briggs Opera House in White River Junction, Vermont. We continue to be dedicated to discovering and creating provocative, contemporary plays and to expanding the boundaries of theater by presenting work that is compelling and innovative. Our plays are gems that we’ve brought north from New York’s off-broadway theaters, from across the ocean from London’s fringe and from regional theaters across America.
We’re looking forward to sharing this new adventure

with you and hope to see you soon.

Our Founder/Managing Director

Bill Coons has spent his adult life working in the theatre. In addition to his academic study (BA in English/Psychology; MA in Directing; MFA in Directing), he has learned his art through his work. He began as the founder and artistic director of a small theatre in New Jersey, spent several years as a college professor and head of a theatre program in Vermont, created and ran a touring children's theatre company in Illinois, created and ran a graduate level acting conservatory at the Dorset Theatre Festival, worked as a professional actor, and has directed over 150 productions.

GRANT NEALE 1936  Headshot Coat Terrace.jpg
Producing Artistic Director

Grant Neale hails from Detroit Michigan and his first love is the theater. He has been a professional Actor, Director, Producer and Set Designer for over 35 years. In 1993 he founded the NYC-based Nomad Theatrical Company, where he has produced, directed and acted in over 30 plays, including many classical plays, as well as,14 world premieres, variously hailed as “...smashing good theatre on every level." and "the most cleverly designed source of constant surprise I have ever seen on stage."  Since 2011 at Shaker Bridge Theatre, Grant has acted in 10 plays and directed The Niceties in Season 15.  In his early career Grant was fortunate to be a member of the resident acting company of first the critically acclaimed Jean Cocteau Rep where he performed in 15 classical plays in rotating repertory, and then the legendary Ridiculous Theatrical Co. for 5 years.  Additionally he has performed in venues throughout NYC from Central Park to the Metropolitan Opera to La MaMa experimental theater club.  Outside of New York Grant has worked as a director or actor in theater, opera, and film in 34 states from California to Texas to Wisconsin, and toured internationally in Great Britain, Germany, Romania, and Sweden.  He has done voice-over work on dozens of TV shows and films including Damages, Nurse Jackie, and The Sinner.  Throughout his career Grant has enjoyed sharing his passion for Acting and Scenic Design with students at many schools like The Acting Studio, The New York Film Academy, and The Apollo Theater Institute.  Grant's awards include a Grammy for the cast recording of Porgy and Bess, the Chain Film Fest Best Actor in a Comedy for Bless Me, Best Short for Ruined It at Fort Myers Film Fest, Innovative Theatre Award nomination Best Solo performance Polanski Polanski.  He is a member of three performer unions and The Lincoln Center Theatre Directors Lab.

Our Board of Directors

Joan Ecker, President
Aline E. Ordman, Secretary 
Nadia Gorman, Treasurer

Toni Egger

Roanne Rogerson
William Koppenheffer
Bill Coons, Ex Offcio

Grant Neale, Ex Offcio

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