Theatre for Your Life
New Hampshire Theatre Project (NHTP) is an applied theatre company, using the craft of theatre to spark thoughtful conversations, encourage empathy, and make connections that ultimately ignite change. We believe that theatre is much more than entertainment - it is a powerful tool for inspiring both individual and community empowerment.
Based in Portsmouth, NHTP has been touring throughout the state of New Hampshire and beyond for 38 years, offering three different types of programming.
Join us for a NH Gives Party at Otto's Pizza, Brewery Lane in Portsmouth from 5-11 pm on June 9. 10% of all food and drink sold on June 9 will be donated to NHTP.
NHTP's Elephant-in-the-Room Series® received the prestigious 2021 NH Governor's Award for Arts in Health. Created in 2017, EITR presents play readings, films and community conversations about topics that we, as a society, often feel uncomfortable discussing. Following the video or reading, a facilitated audience conversation focuses on attitudes about difficult ethical issues involved, and our responsibility as a society to bring these issues out of the shadows and into the cultural mainstream. As an integral aspect of each EITR presentation, NHTP collaborates with multiple social service organizations to develop these programs, and provide resources for getting help or accessing further education. ETIR program topics include: Youth Mental Health, Navigating Eldercare, PTS and First Responders, Families Navigating Addiction, Eating Disorders, Human Trafficking and custom-designed programs for specific communities.
"Before community action can be taken, a conversation must be lit. The Elephant-in the Room Series® provides that first spark. " NHTP's EITR program on PTS and First Responders inspired House Bill HB1705-FN, which was passed by the NH House and Senate, and is currently awaiting the governor's signature.
CLICK HERE to learn more about NHTP's Elephant-in the Room Series®.
Aftermath: PTS and First Responders Post playreading discussion
Theatre For Life
NHTP's Theatre for Life workshops nurture the leadership skills of individuals by using theatre techniques to inspire and manage diverse groups. From public speaking and presentation skills, business ”storytelling” to better communicate information to your team or client, and improvisation for team-building, improving customer service, and conflict resolution, Theatre for Life bring teams together to nurture organizational change and individual growth.
NHTP offers specific workshops like The Art of Listening and Leadership through Collaboration, but most programs are custom-designed to meet the needs of each different clients. Recent projects include: Developing a strategic disclosure training for peer recovery coaches in collaboration with Safe Harbor Recovery Center; creating multiple training videos on conflict resolution and inclusive HR policies for NH Businesses for Social Responsibility; and providing experiential theatre scenarios for Primex Insurance to help municipal workers and first responders deal with aggressive behavior.
We typically have a quiet group, but the actors were able to foster engagement and participation that felt totally natural. The (NHTP trainers) were professional, very well prepared and I appreciate how we worked together in the leadup to the session to have material that felt tailored to our group.
CLICK HERE to learn more about NHTP's Theatre For Life Workshops.
Changing Patterns Workshop
2026-2026 Season in Portsmouth
NHTP produces three full-length MainStage productions each season at our intimate 50-seat theatre in Portsmouth, as well as a Playreading for Grownups Series. Productions center on contemporary cultural and social themes. One of our recent MainStage production, Marjorie Prime, focused on family relationships, grief and mental illness along with technology and the future of AI. The production included a Community Connectors Series panel discussion on AI and Robotics: The Future is Now. NHTP also presents Guest Artists, rents our home venue to many other local artists, and offers educational workshops for all ages.
Thank you for a provocative evening and lots of things to think about-- our memories and how they are formed, how we are remembered and the stories told by others.
CLICK HERE to learn about NHTP's current season in Portsmouth.
Scene from Marjorie Prime
Organization name
New Hampshire Theatre Project
Tax id (EIN)
02-0419975
Primary Cause(s)
Arts and Culture, Health and Wellness, Mental Health, Seniors, Youth/Children, Emergency Response, Substance Abuse Prevention
Address
959 Islington Street, Ste 3