The Story Behind 2nd Story Theatre

By: Ashlee Irons
Posted In: Entertainment

The sound of chatter filled the air as the audience, donning red Newport Art Museum stickers filed in from the narrow white hallway to the small artsy lecture room where the walls came alive with paintings of abstract human forms in vibrant hues of blue, orange green and purple.

The Newport Art Museum was bustling Saturday afternoon for the sixth installment of its eight part winter lecture series. Speaking on the power of intimate theater was Ed Shea, the artistic director of the 2nd Story Theatre, in Warren.

“If you were ever at Trinity and saw Ed Shea enter a scene, you understand the kind of energy he brings to the stage. These days, he’s bringing the same kind of energy that made him a Trinity favorite to his very popular 2nd Story Theatre in Warren,” said Richard Hunt a member of the Winter Lecture Series Committee, who set the stage for Shea.

Relying on the power of his voice rather than a microphone, Shea opted not to lecture behind a podium, allowing for a more personal connection with his audience. Shea remarked, “When you come to my theater and spend two hours of your valuable time and I have you captive in that space I want to give you something valuable.” Shea too succeeded in giving his audience a valuable and insightful lecture on his experience with theatre.

Shea lectured in a casual grey shirt and jeans with a coffee cup in hand, looking the part of a very young 47-year-old. For an hour Shea shared what he called his “spiritual and professional journey,” with acting, directing and opening his own intimate theatre. A graduate of Portsmouth High School, Shea decided not to attend college and instead saved up money to go to New York to study acting. “I had no idea what I was doing. What I learned I learned by doing. I had an old fashioned apprenticeship, I sat hour upon hour upon hour watching people act.”

At age 38, Shea decided to apply for a spot on Brown University’s Resumed Undergraduate program which is geared toward those who never went to college or never finished. He entered that year as a freshman, which was an experience he described with two words, frightening and terrifying. “These kids are smart, they’re been doing it for 18 years straight.” The classes at Brown allowed him to see the connection between literature, history and art and his fascination with acting grew. “When I got it my instinct was to teach it,” said Shea.

Shea’s unique directing style focuses on making a connection between the actors and the audience. “Everyone breathes the same air, the audience and the actors that’s one of the greatest things about intimate theatre,” Shea said.

Shea shared with his audience his experience acting on many puppet box stages, with curtains on either side. “It’s a totally different experience to do a whole performance with no connection to the audience, they are just faces out in the dark,” he said.

Shea’s professional journey was satisfied when he found a space for sale at 28 Market Street in Warren in 2003. He bought everything needed for the theatre with a credit card. Shea never planned on owning his own theatre with an acting company of 75 people, or owning a restaurant.

“It was just mean to be,” said Shea. The 2nd Story Theatre now sports a half million annual budget. “There is no experience more satisfying than standing by the door at 2nd Story after an event I was responsible for creating and unashamedly looking audience members in the eye knowing there was a connection. Nothing comes close to that,” said Shea.

After the lecture, Shea entertained audience members’ questions. He was questioned on his lack of scenery in plays and also commended for his work with the theater. Shea described his lack of scenery as minimalism. “I try and get rid of distractions, by keeping the focus between two actors, wiping the slate clean. I can’t come close to the audiences’ imagination,” and he added, “Imagination is free.” Mary Shepard of Middletown declared to Shea, “Your theatre is a great thing for Warren. It puts Warren on the map to have your wonderful place to go to. It’s good for the community and is very special.”

Audience member’s attended the lecture for various reasons, but most reasons centered on their closeness to and interest in the 2nd Story Theatre. Bruce and Elesa Amand of Bristol, said, “We enjoyed it very much…We live 10 minutes from 2nd Story Theatre. We’ve known Ed Shea from year’s past. The thing that’s amazing to me is the actors are mostly amateurs and they do an amazing job.”

Pat Sullivan and Majorie Larson, of Tiverton, are both members of the Newport Art Museum and heard about the lecture that way. “We’ve been interested in 2nd Story Theatre for some time. We will be going very soon after hearing Mr. Shea.”

Celebrating its 79th Winter Lecture Series, the museum has presented an array of remarkable speakers sharing their knowledge on a diverse range of topics. The Newport Art Museum’s Winter Lecture series runs until February 25. The lecture series takes place in the newly renovated Ilgenfritz Gallery in Griswold House. All lectures start at 2 p.m. and are followed by tea. The 2006 Winter Lecture Series is supported by the Newport Collaborative Architects and Spring Bull Studios.