Wild Goose Players is a theatre company under the direction of David Stern along with key collaborators and a group of incredible performers and artisans. This team has been instrumental in bringing live theatre back to the Bellows Falls Opera House presenting productions of Sweeney Todd, Jesus Christ Superstar, Chicago, The Secret Garden, Into The Woods, A Little Night Music, Urinetown, Fiddler on the Roof, Merrily, We Roll Along, Matilda, Company and Cabaret.
We at Wild Goose are wedded to the pursuit of excellence. We want to reveal and stretch ourselves, and in so doing, connect with one another. Building community, both within and without the company, is the second pillar of our mission. We seek to make a safe space where people feel able to be their fullest selves. This is both because it is right action, but because the best theater requires the greatest safety.
As part of our commitment to original work, “Wild Goose” hosts a monthly public reading of a new play, where authors share a work in development and seek feedback from attendees. Wild Goose has an ongoing relationship with playwright Sean Hurley. An award-winning playwright and radio journalist, and creator of
Atoms’ Motion, and the Void, (voted best podcast in New Hampshire), Sean was the author of
Food and Shelter, and
Claire in the Chair in the Cemetaire which Wild Goose performed at Next Stage in Putney, VT
Our Mission
Through transformational opportunities both on and offstage, 'Wild Goose' seeks to create a theater company that models and builds community, nurtures the development of artists, explores new works, attracts new audiences, and provides both economic and cultural momentum in the region.
Who We Are
David Stern
Artistic Director
David Stern has been working in the theatre for over 35 years, running drama programs at Swarthmore College, The Middlesex School, Springfield High School, and most recently Kimball Union Academy. With an MFA in theatrical design from Rutgers University, David has worked professionally as a designer and director throughout New England at companies including The Merrimack Repertory Theatre, New Jersey Shakespeare Festival, North Country Center for the Arts, The Weston Playhouse, and the New Ensemble Theatre which he founded in 1993. From 2014-2020 he served as Artistic Director at Main Street Arts in Saxtons River, where he, and much of the “Wild Goose” team led productions including “Sweeney Todd”, “Jesus Christ Superstar”, “Chicago”, “The Secret Garden”, “Bat Boy”, “Equus”, “Hedwig and the Angry Inch”, and the touring production of “Jacques Brel.”
PJ Mead
General Manager
PJ Mead has been involved in theater in the Keene area and beyond since her mom first enrolled her in MoCo theater classes in elementary school. By high school, PJ was producing and directing.
She went on to study Theatre Arts Management at Ithaca College and began her professional career with TheaterWorks in Hartford, CT. PJ then relocated to New York City, where she worked with Signature Theatre and The New Group. She also partnered with Cynthia von Buhler to create immersive theatrical experiences in New York City and Connecticut through the Speakeasy Dollhouse series.
In 2022, PJ returned to the region and quickly reengaged with the local theater community, collaborating with Wild Goose Theatre and the Keene Lions Club. She continues to contribute as a performer, producer, and props and costume designer.
Ira Wilner
Key Collaborator
My first theatrical experience, in Kindergarten, almost went up in smoke when the beard of my Santa Claus costume got too close to a lit candle. Bitten by the theater bug since childhood I couldn’t resist finding my way back into live theater later in life after settling down in Vermont. I’ve recorded and mastered record albums for the Chelsea House Folklore Center in Brattleboro VT and other small record labels. I’ve also produced short documentaries for All Things Considered and provided concert recordings for NPR’s Folk Festival USA. I’ve also done lighting and sound design for many community theater groups in the area. I made my adult stage debut as Laser Wolf in a Saxtons River Playhouse production of Fiddler On The Roof. I have been an extra or chorus member for many other regional productions including Main Street Arts’ long run of Gilbert and Sullivan operettas. As a technologist I helped Bellows Falls Union High School upgrade their auditorium lighting and sound system to something appropriate for the 21st century.
In real life I’m a broadcast engineering consultant who keeps radio stations throughout much of New England on the air. I’ve designed new facilities for commercial and public broadcasters such as VPR. These days I hang my hat in Keene NH where I am the chief engineer for the Monadnock Broadcasting Group of radio stations. I also moonlight as an audio recording engineer, videographer and photographer. I enjoy collaborating with Wild Goose Players with their challenging productions.
I live in Westminster West Vermont with my long suffering wife (stage door widow) in a house I helped build back in 1979 to which I have recently added solar power generation and heat pump technology to do my part for reducing global warming.
Libby McCawley
Key Collaborator
Libby has worked with a number of area theater groups over the years, both on and off the stage, including Wild Goose Players, Main Street Arts, The Vermont Theater Company, and The Apron Theater Company. She is honored to be a part of the development of Wild Goose Players, as it begins its journey in the area. A long-time resident of Putney, Libby works at Oak Meadow in customer relations and as the assistant to the registrar.
Sean Hurley
Playwright in Residence & Radio Journalist
Sean is a playwright, musician, public radio reporter, podcaster, and TV staff writer.
As a playwright and performer, his one man show “Whisper, Pray, Make Room” at the Player’s Ring in Portsmouth, NH was named “Favorite Play” in the 2011 Spotlight awards.
His first one man show, “Atoms, Motion & the Void” at the Player’s Ring was called “Stunning… arresting art…” by Jeanne McCartin in her 2008 review.
As a reporter for New Hampshire Public Radio, Sean won numerous awards for his stories and essays including most recently “Best Commentary” at the PRNDI awards and a “Best Sports Feature” in the 2019 Regional Murrow awards. His stories have aired nationally on Here & Now, Morning Edition and All Things Considered.
Sean’s fictional, storytelling podcast, “Atoms, Motion & the Void” was named “Best Podcast in New Hampshire” by New Hampshire Magazine.
Sean has episode writing credits for the Amazon show
“Patriot” and the Epix Show
“Perpetual Grace, Inc.” starring Ben Kingsley. He will shortly begin work on “The Tales of Dunk & Egg” Game of Thrones prequel with frequent TV collaborator Steve Conrad.
Shoshana Bass
Choreographer
Shoshana Bass is Artistic Director of Sandglass Theater and a second-generation puppeteer continuing her family’s legacy. Trained across dance, puppetry, circus, and theater, she tours internationally with original and legacy works. Her solo show When I Put On Your Glove has toured globally. She co-created Babylon: Journeys of Refugees and Feral, both acclaimed pieces supported by major foundations. Shoshana works internationally as a performer, choreographer, director, and educator.
Morganna Ekkens
Key Collaborator
Morganna Ekkens has been performing on stage for nearly 30 years. A native of the Monadnock region, she discovered her love of theater as a student at MoCo Arts in Keene, NH and that passion led her to NYC, where she attended The American Musical and Dramatic Academy. Morganna has been seen in dozens of productions with Wild Goose Players, Main Street Arts, Springfield Community Players, Keene Lions Club and The Vermont Theater Company, as well local film companies Wayward Ark Productions and Either/Or Films. She was awarded Performance of the Year at the 2013 NHFF for her role in the film Only Daughter.
In addition to being a frequent performer with WGP, Morganna is also a director and oversees the Incubator and Performance Workshop series. She presently works as a Designer for Crown Point Cabinetry and as a costumer for Moco Arts. Morganna lives in Bellows Falls and is honored to be a part of this extraordinary community of creative talent and to help bring vibrant performance art to southern VT!
Board of Directors
Every member of our board of directors is a thought leader who has made significant contributions to our society.
Each one brings a unique set of skills and expertise to our organization.
