POWERHOUSE THEATRE COLLABORATIVE
About us
Powerhouse Theatre Collaborative strives to create theatrical opportunities which brighten people’s lives, spark a passion for the performing arts, and illuminate aspects of the human condition.
Building community through community theatre
Powerhouse is a professionally managed community theatre company designed to provide opportunities for New Hampshire residents to participate in live theatre onstage, behind-the-scenes, and in the audience.
By collaborating with professional directors and designers, Powerhouse Theatre Collaborative provides high-quality artistic and educational experiences for local community participants. Powerhouse is the resident theatre company of the Colonial Theatre in Laconia NH.
COLONIAL SERIES
Our Colonial Series takes place at the historic Colonial Theatre in Laconia, NH.
Originally built in 1914, the Colonial has been painstakingly restored to its original glory and hosts our larger plays and musicals.
SPARK SERIES
Powerhouse enjoys collaborating with organizations around the Lakes Region.
Our Spark Series are smaller productions, staged readings, concerts, and special events that are designed to spark creativity, conversations, collaborations and community building.
Our history
Powerhouse Theatre Collaborative was created in 2020 to become the resident theatre company of the Belknap Mill and the Colonial Theatre in Laconia, NH.
The Belknap Mill and the Colonial Theatre are both unique, historic gathering places located in downtown Laconia which have provided the foundations for Laconia’s artistic, cultural, industrial, and educational life. Both are listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and a tremendous commitment has been made to preserve their historical significance.
The Belknap Mill, originally built in 1823, is the only remaining example of an architectural style once common during the industrial revolution in New England. The Colonial Theatre, built in 1914, is a beautiful representation of the Neocolonial style popular in that day.
Powerhouse Theatre was founded as a program of the Belknap Mill Society. Participation in Powerhouse grew quickly with more than 300 individuals participating in at least one production or program during the first three years. In 2024 Powerhouse branched out on its own to become a non-profit organization.
Powerhouse Theatre Collaborative produces larger scale productions at the 750 seat Colonial Theatre in Laconia NH. Smaller scale productions such as staged readings, play festivals, special events, and concerts, take place around the Lakes Region in collaboration with other area organizations.
Our name
As the Mill’s Powerhouse once turned on the lights for Laconia, Powerhouse Theatre Collaborative aims to bring the lights up on performing arts in the Lakes Region.
Powerhouse Theatre Collaborative is named in honor of the Belknap Mill’s original, preserved Powerhouse which is now a museum. The Winnipesaukee River was diverted under the Mill and was the source for powering the Mill’s manufacturing operations via a water wheel. Later, the system was converted to hydroelectric power. Excess power created by the Mill’s Powerhouse provided electricity to downtown Laconia.
