"They are also doing a great service to the community with the wonderful learning and performing opportunities for young people. Talent shines at Riverside! "
Marietta Phinney is a graduate of Nazareth High School in South Boston. During her youth she studied classical piano with Mary Walter of the New England Conservatory. Ms. Phinney was the Musical Director of St. Anne Parish in Readville from 1959 through 1981. She was church pianist and choir director and produced a series of variety shows as part of parish activities. In 1981 St. Anne School asked her to direct a Cultural Arts Program. This began four year's of music and drama that would culminate each year with a community performance by the students: Godspell, Annie, You're a Good Man Charlie Brown, and Fiddler on the Roof. During this period of time Marietta also gave private piano lessons while she pursued her own piano education with Robert Chestnut of Berklee College of Music. Mrs. Phinney began Riverside Media Workshops in 1983 working with Steve Ruggere who is currently the Music Director for Bose Corporation. Starting with 15 students learning music and drama, Ms. Phinney expanded to French's Opera House in Cleary Square and opened Riverside Theatre Works School of Performing Arts in 1988. The School now has an annual enrollment of 300 young people.
Stephen Abrams, Executive Director (Ext. 102)
Before moving to Rhode Island Stephen was the Program Manager for American Theatre Wing, were he produced and managed many of the media and educational programs for ATW including: Working in the Theatre seminars on CUNY-TV, Downstage Center on XM Satellite Radio, Theatre Intern Group and the Grants and Scholarship program. As Education Director for the Tony Awards he developed the arts-in-education program, Tony Career Day, which provides high school students with an opportunity to explore the many career paths available in the industry. Prior to working at ATW, he was the Associate Director of Education for Theatre Development Fund where he had the unique opportunity to introduce live theatre to over 4,000 New York City public school students each year. He is currently on the conference committee for the NYC Arts in Education Roundtable's annual Face-to-Face conference and is an adjudicator and site evaluator for the Center for Arts Education's Parents as Arts Partners Grant. He is a recipient of a Master of Arts Degree in Educational Theatre from New York University Steinhardt School of Education, during which he gained experience developing youth workshops around progressive social issues both in NYC and London. Stephen has also served as the Assistant Company Manager on the 3rd national tour of The Phantom of the Opera.
