About Us

Our Story

Three decades ago, Marietta Phinney, a music teacher in Hyde Park’s Readville neighborhood, realized that local children weren’t getting enough exposure to the arts. So in her backyard she created Riverside Theatre Works, named for the running brook beside her house.

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Riverside grew quickly, but those early years were hard. One night, Ms. Phinney sat in her kitchen with a cup of tea, wondering how to go on. Then she read the tagline on her Salada tea bag: “Only those who see the invisible can do the impossible.”

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Those encouraging words became Ms. Phinney’s slogan, shared with each new generation of Riverside students. Today, Riverside Theatre Works is a mainstay of Hyde Park and the surrounding area, offering quality productions, musical theater training, and community outreach. Riverside alumni have appeared on Broadway, in national tours, and on stages around Boston. Many return to Riverside, their “second home,” to sing, dance, teach, and inspire the next crop of young performers.

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Our Venue

A rare community theater with a proscenium stage - and the only live theater venue in Hyde Park - Riverside is located in the historic French’s Opera House in Logan Square. Our 14,000 square foot facility features a 156-seat opera house, a spacious dance studio and rehearsal space, a scene shop, a lounge, and several meeting and rehearsal rooms. 

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We host several main stage theatrical performances every year, from all-youth productions to family-friendly shows to challenging plays and musicals aimed at adults. We also host recitals, meetings, fundraisers, and community gatherings, making us a key attraction and connector for the entire neighborhood.

Our Mission

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To have all aspects of Riverside Theatre Works reflect the cultural, social, and economic diversity of our community

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To offer a broad range of programs that help children become more confident and develop better life skills

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To make theatre programs affordable and accessible through financial assistance

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To proactively partner with community youth organizations

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To establish and sustain contacts with community agencies that serve economically disadvantaged children and families in neighborhood

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