ArtsEmerson, A Boston Version of the Festsival TransAmérique. Interview with Director Rob Orchard.
ArtsEmerson, the most exciting and creative theatre project Boston has seen in years, opened in the fall of 2010 under the leadership of executive director Robert Orchard. Orchard met with me to discuss its development. Years in the making, the venture grew out of a partnership between Emerson College – a school of communication and the arts – and the city. Emerson needed to expand;
Boston wanted to rehabilitate a decaying downtown area. That the area included two run-down theatres – candidates for demolition, but architectural landmarks in their day – was a windfall for Emerson. A deal was struck whereby Emerson would sell off its buildings, scattered through a high end residential section, and buy real estate in or near the infamous Combat Zone, Boston’s “adult entertainment” district.