Brush Strokes Your Support of HCA in Action
Winter 2022
Photo by Sam Cote
Catherine Cote is building community through theater— thanks to a strong foundation from the HCA. This is her story…
A
s a third grader, Catherine joined Enter Stage Left Theater (ESL), now HCA’s resident community theater, for its production of Aesop’s (Oh So Slightly) Updated Fables. Unlike her character the tortoise, Catherine’s talent and love of theater took off running. In the 18 years that followed, Catherine played roles in 11 ESL productions–ranging from a groovy rockstar to a motherly dalmatian, a red-headed orphan to a struggling doctor, and a chocolate factory reporter to a grieving New Yorker. While the shows, roles, and sets changed over the years, one thing remained constant: the support of ESL’s instructors and the sense of community they instilled. One such instructor was ESL founding member Mary Scarlata-Rowe.
“This is who I was looking for in a leader,” said Mary of Catherine. “She was a good kid–humble, sweet, talented, yet confident.” Constantly in an environment where personal growth, practice, and teamwork were daily necessities, Catherine found a supportive community and lifelong friendships at the HCA.
“My number one philosophy is to make better people through theater that, in turn, become better actors,” Mary said.
“Theater was such a community experience–it was, and still is, a family,” she said. “I really got to know people on a deeper level through the stories and experiences we shared, both on- and offstage.”
Every year, 200+ children work with instructors like Mary at the HCA, who help them grow not only as actors and artists, but as people. “I definitely grew up at the HCA,” Catherine said. “Over the years of musicals, revues, acting classes, and voice lessons, Mary, Kelly [Grill] and Mark [DiCampo] helped me find my voice and gain the confidence to use it.”
When Catherine was 18, she began studying psychology at College of the Holy Cross, where she became involved in theater on campus to find and build her new community. In 2017, she traveled to Australia to study abroad at the University of Melbourne.
The first time Catherine remembers feeling this way was when she was cast as the title role in Annie Jr. in 2007.
While excited about her new adventure, Catherine noticed how frustrated she felt by the lack of deep 1
Continued on page 2
Cast of Project Empathy | College of the Holy Cross Catherine Cote…continued from page 1 connection she was feeling in her new city. Simultaneously, she was observing the division over political and social issues happening in the United States. “It seemed like nobody was listening to each other,” she said. “I thought, ‘What could happen if we commit to understanding someone different from ourselves?’” Catherine decided that she’d build yet another community through the power of theater–this time, one of her own design. Project Empathy was born. In Project Empathy, strangers are paired up and tasked with telling their partner’s true, personal story in the first-person. To build the trust and understanding necessary to do this, Catherine led her first cast through six weeks of reflective writing, empathy exercises, and story workshopping. What began as an experiment turned into a surprisingly powerful experience for both the storytellers and audience members. Many participants expressed that they felt seen or heard for the first time. “When the goal is to understand someone different from yourself-to the point that you need to be able to communicate their story to the audience—meaningful
questions start flowing,” Catherine said. “‘How did you feel in that moment?’ ‘What do I need to know about you to understand your perspective?’ These conversations foster empathy.” Since that first performance, Catherine has founded Project Empathy as a small business, and has been awarded a prominent grant for her work. Today, Project Empathy has been performed six times; twice at the University of Melbourne, three times at Holy Cross, and once in the Seacoast area of Maine and New Hampshire, with a seventh production coming to Wilmington, North Carolina this month. The Hopkinton Center for the Arts is excited to be producing Project Empathy this April. All are invited to watch this powerful performance experience and can visit HCA’s website to learn more. Catherine is delighted to be sharing this passion of hers with her theatrical home. “The HCA has been a source of community for me,” she said. “I’m thrilled to have Project Empathy in such capable hands and to have my first theater family become part of the Project Empathy family.” 2
When asked if she’d like to say anything to the donors of the HCA, Catherine calls back to the foundation she gained.
Catherine with ESL instructor and mentor, Mary Scarlata-Rowe “I hope donors think not only of the individual programs and initiatives their funds make possible, but of the gift of consistency they’re giving,” she said. “I’ve been so lucky to have the HCA as a constant, positive force in my life that now informs the impact I aim to make on the world. Thank you for giving that gift of a positive foundation to other kids… who knows what they’ll do with it?”
Click Here For Tickets To HCA’s Project Empathy
Thank you for making Soupah Bowl Sunday 2022 Super! Follow the stairs to the second floor, you will find a new lesson studios for musicians to call home. For all those interested in learning more about music lessons at HCA, please send HCA Director of Music Eric Miller an email at eric@ hopartscenter.org “The first step sometimes needs to be a leap of faith, and I am ready to help in whatever way I can!,” Eric said. “There is never a bad time to start making music in a new way.”
M
ore than 50 HCA students, teachers and supporters visited HCA’s newly renovated farmhouse for Soupah Bowl Sunday, a fundraiser on February 6.
underwent substantial structural upgrades and historic preservation measures.
Attendees donated $20 for a can of soup paired with a ceramic bowl or mug created by an HCA student in support of the renovated 18th century farmhouse and its programs.
Longtime HCA pottery student Paula Schwartz of Southborough visited the February 6th event and felt at home in the new space.
HCA’s community of potters and musicians have eagerly awaited the opening of this upgraded space, which will be ready to welcome students back to class beginning March 1. For more than a year, HCA’s pottery program has been operating in various HCA classrooms in the “Barn” and online as the farmhouse
The students have adapted but are excited to be back in the main studio again.
“(It’s great) being in one space again,” said Schwartz. There is a warmth about the space; it’s like going back home.” HCA ceramics instructor Cheska Komisssar feels the same. “The space is not only new and beautiful—but the light is gorgeous!!! A beautiful space for creating beautiful art!” 3
A substantial portion of the farmhouse renovation was made possible through a generous grant from the Hopkinton’s Cultural Preservation Commission and an additonal grant from the Massachusetts Cultural Concert. Additionally, naming opportunities are available for music rooms and the pottery studio to help support the space. Please contact Katie Broach, HCA Director of Development at katie@ hopartscenter.org for additional information.
Q&A with HCA’s New Director of Programming…
Tatiana Flis
would call it an infatuation, but something clicked and I knew I had to use my hands in order to be... me. Q: What passions do you bring to the HCA community? A: I have a strong commitment and belief that creative expression is fundamental to the human experience. Art is the medium through which human beings engage with their higher selves to reach their full potential. Participation in the creative arts encourages empathy that connects us culturally and spiritually. It is a human right. Q: What do you enjoy most about the HCA? A: The passion and dedication that is seen in its staff, in its mission, and in its creative community. It is a community that cares and supports each other while investing in the artistic expression of all.
Q: What will you be responsible for in your current position at HCA? A: At the HCA my main responsibilities as the Director of Programming center around class programming - from researching, planning, and mapping out the session schedules to identifying opportunities to enhance our programming to fit the needs of our community. Additionally I will be working on HCA communications around all its educational programming and benefits and overseeing the relaunch of our Private Lesson expanding our private lesson offerings.
Q: What was your favorite childhood art project? A: The whale diorama was a pinnacle moment in my realization of what I wanted to do with my life. However, my favorite art project as a child was creating collage self portraits. The possibilities are endless once you are handed construction paper, glue sticks, and old magazines. Q: Who are some of your art heroes?
Q: Tell us about your background. How did you become interested in art? A: I received my BFA in sculpture and printmaking from Ringling College of Art and Design and an MFA in sculpture from Cranbrook Academy of Art. The fact is, I always wanted to be an artist. And at an early age I was encouraged by my family to express myself. I specifically remember in elementary school having to do a project on whales. I spent so much time on my diorama I don’t even remember doing the written section of the project. I don’t know if I
A: I tend to lean heavily on sculpture and new media, and of course its dependent on my mood but Ursula von Rydingsvard, Rona Pondick, Pipilotti Rist, Eva Hesse, Louise Bourgeois, Lee Bontecou, Francis Bacon, René Magritte, Joseph Cornell, Ernesto Neto are always in rotation. I also have a love of Ronald Bladen since working for his estate in 2005-06. It is one thing to appreciate an artist’s work. It is another to try and replicate it in show models! The list goes on.
Welcome Tatiana!
98 Hayden Rowe Street, Hopkinton, MA | www.HopArtsCenter.org | info@hopartscenter.org 4