BURRILLVILLE – A music educator with more than a decade of experience working on productions both large and small will be the new artistic and educational director at the Assembly Theatre.
Brittany Dyer was named to the position by Patrons of the Assembly and the Board of Administration this week. She will be creating programming and educational opportunities for AssemblyACT, the theater’s new in house production company and education department.
Dyer has been active in the music community in Rhode Island and Massachusetts for many years, and has been a consistent music director at the Stadium Theatre in Woonsocket, serving both for adult and children’s productions. She has been involved with the winter, spring and summer camps at the neighboring theater.
She also serves as music director for her church in Grafton Mass., where she sings, and plays organ and piano.
Dyer was previously a choral and drama teacher at Mount Saint Charles Academy in Woonsocket.
And according to the Burrillville theater’s executive chairperson and theatrical producer, Dyer now has big dreams for new adventures and taking on a new music studio schedule with AssemblyACT.
“I have seen Brittany in action as music director for several children’s productions at Stadium Theatre for the past three years,” said Holly Dumaine-Picard. “Both children and parents gravitate to her positive energy and overall love for musical theatre education. She is caring and always makes the children feel welcome and loved. Her skills on the piano are outstanding. She has a great passion for the arts and shares this with all who get to experience a production she is involved in.”
Dumaine-Picard said she first connected with Dyer when the music educator went to her with the idea to produce a variety show to benefit the Izzy foundation at the Assembly.
The theatre, a historic venue owned by the town and operated by the nonprofit volunteer Patrons, will host the event in September.
“At that point, we knew that she would be a great fit for our organization,” said Dumaine-Picard. “We are looking forward to this promising partnership that will benefit our community in a big way for sure.”
AssemblyACT’s first production, dubbed A Ticket to Broadway, will take place on Friday, Aug. 23.
She is one of two artists to receive an official title at the theater, a venue that has been gaining momentum in terms of use and visibility since efforts to revitalize it began last year.
K.Anderton Photography has agreed to be the theater’s official photographer.
“She has partnered with us as a volunteer to support The Assembly Theatre’s picture perfect future while capturing its true historic charm,” said Dumaine-Picard.
Dyer will also use her background in education to offer private music lessons to children locally. Classes in piano, ukulele, voice and music theory take place at the theater on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 2 to 6 p.m.
“Brittany has been teaching in the classroom setting, and private setting, for the past 15 years,” said Dumaine-Picard. “She has been studying and performing in the areas of sacred, musical theater, pop, choral, and classical piano music. She strives to create a fun learning environment with her private students, while working on expanding vocal repertoire, gearing up for that next audition, or learning an instrument for all its many benefits.”
For more information about music lessons, contact Dyer at (401) 935-9433 or bldyer85@gmail.com.
