Our Mission

Freehold engages artists of all levels in training and experimentation so that they may become more innovative and heartfelt in generating theatre that has a lasting impact on the community we serve.

Our Vision

We at Freehold believe theatre should inspire people to embrace the full range of human experience and connect us all more deeply to ourselves and to each other. In order for theatre to accomplish this, it must be truthful, illuminate the unseen, and articulate the unspoken.

To realize this potential, there must be a place dedicated to research and experimentation in training and performance for working artists, inspired novices, and willing audiences.

Our Philosophy on Teaching

The work we do here strives to integrate organic, truthful roots and an empathic connection to the life around you with extraordinary expression – physically, vocally, and imagistically. There has long been the conflict (supposedly) between inside out and outside in – as though one must choose one over the other. We believe that you must develop both. That work can originate from a clear, extreme form; but must then be rooted in organic truth, or filled. Or that work can originate in the organic, inner truth; but then it must weave out into specific, clear, extraordinary expression. Inner life does not mean vague, self-indulgent emotionality; nor does outer form mean empty technical execution. Form and content must both be developed for any given performance and then integrated – a tall order.

The training for such work is focused on developing in each artist an open heart, a sense of astonishment, an expanded imagination, a rigorous sense of truth, a resonant and expressive voice and body, compassion, and the intention to serve the community and the larger mission of the Theatre and the play, and not self-glorification. It is in the integration of these several aptitudes that one's contribution is realized. It takes dedication, determination, humor, insight, and guts to keep working toward an end that will never be all the way there – and to have faith that you are contributing to an Art where "Everything eternal triumphs here and all that is usual melts away."

What We Do

Freehold realizes its vision by integrating the following areas of programming within its Studio and Theatre Lab:

Individual Class Offerings provide training opportunities to artists of all levels – from working professionals to inspired novices.

The Vocational Training Program prepares emerging theatre artists to work professionally.

Special Concentrations and Intensives offer students specially focused training opportunities with internationally renowned master artists.

Theatre Lab, the research and development arm at Freehold, provides a forum for both the development of new performance material and the rediscovery of classics.

Rehearsal and Performance Space at Freehold is made available to independent producers at below-market rates.