Fivesparks Theater presents: CONSTELLATIONS, by Nick Payne
2025-05-17 19:30 - 21:00 (America/New_York) | Fivesparks Gallery, 7 Fairbank Street, Harvard, MA, 01451, United States
Fivesparks Theater is excited to announce its first show, Constellations, by British playwright Nick Payne.
Constellations is set in the multiverse and explores the various versions of the evolving relationship between Marianne, a theoretical physicist, and Roland, a beekeeper. In addition to being an acting tour de force, the play is a provocative and poignant meditation on love, friendship and possibility – as well as string theory and quantum mechanics.
Performance Dates: May 16 and 17, 2025. PURCHASE TICKETS HERE.
NOTE: ONLINE TICKET SALES ENDED at 12:00pm. SEATING IS LIMITED, but if seats remain, tickets may be available at the door. Fewer than 5 seats remain as of 12pm today.
CAST

Michelle Mount has been acting with theater companies in Massachusetts for the past twenty years. At Vokes Players, her credits include: Sea Marks (Timothea), Communicating Doors (Jessica), Cyrano de Bergerac (Roxane), Harvey (Myrtle Mae), A Man of No Importance (Adele), Richard III (Lady Anne), Amadeus (Constanze). At Arlington Friends of the Drama: Court-Martial at Fort Devens (Lawson), Dancing at Lughnasa (Chris), Boeing Boeing (Gretchen), To Kill a Mockingbird (Mayella Ewell). At Concord Players: The 39 Steps (The Girl: Annabella, Pamela, Margaret), Cat on a Hot Tin Roof (Maggie). At Quannapowitt Players: Dearly Beloved (Frankie). At Gazebo Players: Much Ado About Nothing (Hero). At Turtle Lane Playhouse: The Secret Garden (Martha). At Needham Community Theatre: The Crucible (Abigail). At Theater Company of Saugus: The Glass Menagerie (Laura). Michelle is a theater educator with a Master of Liberal Arts in Dramatic Arts from Harvard University Extension School. She completed the Advanced Graduate Study Program in Teacher Leadership at Brandeis University.

Jason Myatt is thrilled to be a part of the inaugural Fivesparks Theater production! Jason has performed with many Boston-area theaters over the years, with credits that include: Hovey Players: Stupid F#cking Bird (Sorn), The Clean House (Charles), Maytag Virgin (Jack), A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Bottom), Rocket Man (Donny), Twelfth Night (Malvolio). Umbrella Stage Company: The Minutes (Mr. Assalone), To Kill a Mockingbird (Gilmer/Cunningham), Glengarry Glen Ross (Moss), Dear Elizabeth (Robert Lowell). Quannapowitt Players: Clybourne Park (Karl/Steve), Terra Nova (Evans), November (President Smith), Becky’s New Car (Steve), All My Sons (George), Much Ado About Nothing (Dogberry). Acme Theater: Brooklyn Boy (Eric), Moon Over the Brewery (Warren), Coyote on a Fence (Brennan), Self Help (Hal). Vokes Theater: Murder on the Orient Express (Ratchett), Sense and Sensibility (Colonel Brandon), Bus Stop (Dr Lyman). Burlington Players: The Book of Will (John Heminges). Theatre Cooperative: Endgame (Clov), Waiting For Godot (Lucky), Romulus (Romulus), The Taming Of The Shrew (Petruchio).
Director, Producer: Bob Eiland
Stage Manager: Carolyn Mitchell
Scene Design: Chris Kimball
Sign Language Consultant and Production Photographer: Sanjay Gulati
Bob Eiland has directed, acted in, written and produced a great many shows over the years, including in venues such as Stageloft Rep, Arlington Friends of the Drama, Image Theatre of Lowell, Cannon Theatre where he is on the Board, and Fivesparks Theater. He is founder of the Shakespeare in the Park group, The Gazebo Players; and for over a decade produced, directed and acted in staged readings of Old Time Radio Theater shows for Harvard Friends of the Arts. Some of his favorite directorial endeavors include The Miracle Worker, To Kill a Mockingbird, Night of the Iguana and Arsenic and Old Lace. Some of his favorite acting roles include Charly in Flowers for Algernon, John Proctor in The Crucible, Ford in Merry Wives of Windsor, Dogberry in Much Ado About Nothing, Mortimer in Arsenic and Old Lace, Biff in Death of a Salesman and Sam in Philosophical Differences, one of his original plays.

This program is funded in part by a grant from the Harvard Cultural Council, a local agency which is supported by the Mass Cultural Council, a state agency.

Portrait Session with Mardie Luppold
2025-05-21 12:00 - 14:30, 2025-05-22 12:00 - 14:30 | Fivesparks
Exhibiting artist Mardie Luppold will draw your portrait!
Come and visit Mardie’s varied collection of work, ranging from delicate portraits to mysterious Kachinas. You can make an appointment with Mardie on Wednesdays or Thursdays, from 12noon-2:30pm to have your own portrait drawn in pencil! Mardie’s portraits are both abstract and realistic, each containing an element of pristine clarity and focus.
Fee of $175 per portrait, of which a portion will be donated by Mardie to Fivesparks to help us continue our mission of bringing wonderful art and cultural experiences to our community.
Portraits may be drawn in real time, or via a photograph, to be determined between you and Mardie. If you have questions or want to schedule an appointment, send an email to admin@fivesparks.org. Sessions can be scheduled on Wednesdays or Thursdays, April 24 – May 22, 2025.

Chat with Mardie
2025-05-21 12:00 - 14:30 | Fivesparks
Exhibiting artist Mardie Luppold will be at Fivesparks on Wednesdays and Thursdays throughout her exhibit to talk with visitors.
She welcomes your insights, questions, curiosities and reactions to her varied works on display as part of her current show Archetypes: Making the Invisible, Visible.
Mardie has a lifetime of fascinating experiences that translate into her work. You will gain a wealth of understanding by talking with her.
Stop in on Wednesdays or Thursdays between 12:00-2:30pm, through the end of the exhibit, May 24, 2025.

Chat with Mardie
2025-05-22 12:00 - 14:30 | Fivesparks
Exhibiting artist Mardie Luppold will be at Fivesparks on Wednesdays and Thursdays throughout her exhibit to talk with visitors.
She welcomes your insights, questions, curiosities and reactions to her varied works on display as part of her current show Archetypes: Making the Invisible, Visible.
Mardie has a lifetime of fascinating experiences that translate into her work. You will gain a wealth of understanding by talking with her.
Stop in on Wednesdays of Thursdays between 12:00-2:30pm, through the end of the exhibit, May 24, 2025.

Creating Luminous Portraits on Toned Paper
2025-05-23 09:00 - 12:00, 2025-05-30 09:00 - 12:00 | Fivesparks Cove
Unlock the timeless art of portrait drawing! In this six-hour (over 2 days) workshop, you will explore classical drawing techniques that bring character and life to your subjects, while the beautiful toned paper will enhance the depth and realism of your work.
Learn a range of shading techniques and a time-saving method for capturing accurate proportions—skills you can apply to future projects.
A Workshop Kit is included! Each kit contains:
General’s Charcoal and Conté Crayon white pencils
Kneaded Eraser
Blending Stump
Westcott Flexible Clear Ruler
Pentel Hi-Polymer Block Eraser
Sandpaper Pencil Sharpener Pad
1-Inch soft mop brush
Please Bring:
Strathmore Toned Paper Pad, 11 x 14: https://amzn.to/3CsqeqG
Drawing Tote Board for Artists with Clips, Rubber Bands, 14 x 18 (or larger): https://amzn.to/4ftQmzU
A few pencils (H, HB, 2B, or 3B): https://amzn.to/4egEPTD
Knife or sharpener
Optional: table top or floor easel
Two dates: Friday 5/23 and Friday 5/30, 9am-12pm.
$100 per participant. REGISTER BY CLICKING HERE.

Off-Brand Comedy Improv Troupe
2025-05-23 19:30 - 21:30, 2025-05-24 19:30 - 21:30 | Fivesparks Gallery, 7 Fairbank Street, Harvard, MA, 01451, United States
We are a local comedy improv troupe comprised of actors and improvisors who have been performing at different locations around the area since 2018. We love what we do, and love bringing JOY and LAUGHTER to the world!
Our Improv shows are appropriate for adult and young adult audiences (not for kids). We love to have fun, but we do not pull anyone on stage against their willing participation. If we have a game where we ask for a volunteer to join us, then we take someone who has raised their hand.
Two performances: May 23rd and 24th, 7:30pm. Tickets $18 in advance, $20 at the door.
Doors open at 6:30pm. Bring your own snacks and non-alcoholic beverages.
Fivesparks is an ADA-accessible venue.
ADVANCE TICKETS ON SALE NOW!
ONLINE TICKET SALES END AT 12PM THE DAY OF THE SHOW. TICKETS AVAILABLE AT THE DOOR ($20).
Come have some fun and laughter with us!

4 Voices in Color
2025-05-31 - 2025-07-12 | Fivesparks
4 Voices in Color
Susan Aeschbach, Cathie Brenner, Margo Ezekiel and Judith Stein are Boston-based abstract artists. “4 Voices in Color” showcases their different views on both the natural world and the fantasy world. Each artist has a unique approach to creating abstracts incorporating a variety of materials and mediums. The exhibit includes mixed media works, acrylic paintings, oil paintings, collage, fiber arts, and eco prints.
Bonded by their shared passion for abstract work and a determination to deepen their own art practices, Susan, Cathie, Margo and Judith have created a group with two other artists called the Black Sweater Artist Group. This group meets regularly to share ideas, exchange resources/techniques, encourage further experimentation in their work, and exhibit collaboratively when possible.
Susan is a painter and mixed media artist from Newton, MA. She seeks to capture the aliveness that is inherent in all things animate and inanimate. She paints intuitively, particularly loves working with color and the inspiration for her abstract work often comes from nature and fantasy.
Cathie is a painter and collage artist from Brookline, MA. Her mixed media paintings incorporate old scraps from family fabric, found images, writing, sand and seaweed, and other plant life. She is inspired by textures, color, memory and meaning.
Margo is a contemporary collage artist from Newton, MA. She prints her papers using a gelli-plate, which allows her to create rich textures and patterns without a press. She works organically and rarely starts with an idea; she looks to her very messy table for a spark of inspiration.
Judith is a painter and mixed media artist from Needham, Massachusetts. This exhibit showcases her exploration of gelli-plate and eco printing as well as collage. Inspired by nature and its intricate patterns and rich textures, most of her work revolves around botanicals and nature-related themes.
4 Voices in Color is on view from Saturday May, 31, 2025 through Saturday July 12, 2025. The exhibit will end with a Closing Reception on July 12 from 2:00-4:00pm. The artists will be at Fivesparks for 2 ‘Meet & Greet’ sessions:
Judith Stein & Susan Aeschbach on Friday, June 13, 2025, and Margo Ezekiel and Cathie Brenner on Wednesday, June 25, 2025. Both days 2:00-4:00pm.

Books & Beads Workshops for Kids at HES
2025-06-04 15:45 - 16:45, 2025-06-11 15:45 - 16:45 | Hildreth Elementary School, 27 Mass Ave, Har vard, MA, 01451, United States
Kids can join HES Kindergarten teacher Allison White for some after school fun to wind down the school year.
Two sessions of books and crafts on Wednesday June 4 and June 11, 2025 from 3:45-4:45pm.
Ms. White will begin each session by reading an early childhood read-aloud book. The second half of the sessions will allow children to create various items using a wide range of materials. Projects may include bracelets, keychains, friendship bracelets or a surprise item!
These sessions are appropriate for kids in grades K-2 and will be held at the Hildreth Elementary School right after school dismissal.
Cost: $30 for two sessions plus $10 materials fee (total $40).
To register, click HERE.

The Art of Felting - Painting with Wool/Rabbit Scene
2025-06-12 18:30 - 20:00 | Fivesparks Cove
The Art of Felting Using 2D and 3D Techniques
Join fiber artist Rachel Benson to learn the art of wool felting. You can join for one or both classes.
In class one you will learn how to ‘paint’ with wool to create a 2D scene of rabbits dancing around a fire. In class
two, you will learn how to sculpt with wool creating a whimsical 3D mushroom house. All materials provided!
Ages: Teens and adults (kids 9-12 are welcome to join with an adult)
Cost: $28 for one class or $56 for both classes
June 12th: Painting with Wool (Rabbit Scene)
June 26th: Felt a 3D Mushroom House
Click here to sign up:

4 Voices in Color - Artist Meet & Greet
2025-06-13 14:00 - 16:00 | Fivesparks
4 Voices in Color
Susan Aeschbach, Cathie Brenner, Margo Ezekiel and Judith Stein are Boston-based abstract artists. “4 Voices in Color” showcases their different views on both the natural world and the fantasy world. Each artist has a unique approach to creating abstracts incorporating a variety of materials and mediums. The exhibit includes mixed media works, acrylic paintings, oil paintings, collage, fiber arts, and eco prints.
Bonded by their shared passion for abstract work and a determination to deepen their own art practices, Susan, Cathie, Margo and Judith have created a group with two other artists called the Black Sweater Artist Group. This group meets regularly to share ideas, exchange resources/techniques, encourage further experimentation in their work, and exhibit collaboratively when possible.
Judith Stein & Susan Aeschbach will be at Fivesparks on Friday, June 13, 2025, 2:00-4:00pm to meet visitors and talk about their art.
Judith is a painter and mixed media artist from Needham, Massachusetts. This exhibit showcases her exploration of gelli-plate and eco printing as well as collage. Inspired by nature and its intricate patterns and rich textures, most of her work revolves around botanicals and nature-related themes.
Susan is a painter and mixed media artist from Newton, MA. She seeks to capture the aliveness that is inherent in all things animate and inanimate. She paints intuitively, particularly loves working with color and the inspiration for her abstract work often comes from nature and fantasy.
Stop by to meet the artists, hear about their inspirations, processes or to ask your own questions about their art.
Free and open to all.

New Music Listening Party with David Russell
2025-06-16 14:00 - 16:00 | Fivesparks Gallery, 7 Fairbank Street, Harvard, MA, 01451, United States
Cellist and contemporary music champion David Russell will present and discuss some of his favorite composers and pieces at an informal listening session on Monday afternoon. Utilizing both live and recorded performances, David will share his passion for iconoclastic voices and dive into the rich tapestry of styles and expression that make up today’s music. Please join us for a stimulating afternoon of listening and conversation.

Conversations with Ourselves
2025-06-18 16:00 - 17:30 | Fivesparks Gallery, 7 Fairbank Street, Harvard, MA, 01451, United States
Performers, colleagues and teachers for more than 40 years, festival co-directors Rhonda Rider and Judith Eissenberg sit down together and talk about the whats, hows and whys they do what they do.

2025 Summer Plein Air Artists Group
2025-06-19 14:30 - 17:30, 2025-06-26 14:30 - 17:30, 2025-07-10 14:30 - 17:30, 2025-07-17 14:30 - 17:30, 2025-07-24 14:30 - 17:30, 2025-07-31 14:30 - 17:30 | Various locations in Harvard
Facilitators: Ann Gillespie (agillespieart@gmail.com) and Judy Warner (awarner@charter.net).
Enjoy the rewarding experience of creating art out-of-doors in Harvard! This group will meet weekly for six weeks to create together in local private and public areas, including some beautiful sites not usually accessible to the public. While plein air is wonderful, it can be daunting and difficult to get out consistently on a solo basis. The commitment to working with a group can be extremely helpful in “making it happen” and is also fun and rewarding.
All levels are encouraged to participate, from beginner to professional, and artists are welcome to create in the medium of their choice. While this program’s volunteer facilitators are generously donating their time to plan, organize, and manage the series, they won’t be providing actual instruction; all participants are encouraged to share ideas, tips and fellowship.
Donation: $100 for the six sessions. All proceeds to benefit Fivesparks.
Space is limited.
Dates: Thursdays, June 19, 26; July 10, 17, 24 & 31. (rain dates are Friday of the same week, or rescheduled as warranted; no session the week of July 4th)
Time: 2:30-5:30pm
Registrants will receive tips for working en plein air and the schedule with locations, in advance of the sessions.
The 2025 Summer program has been filled. Click HERE to subscribe to our newsletter, to learn about future programs and events.

Masterclass with Michi Wiancko, Composer / Violinist / Curator
2025-06-20 14:00 - 16:00 | Fivesparks Gallery, 7 Fairbank Street, Harvard, MA, 01451, United States
Masterclass with Michi Wiancko, Composer / Violinist / Curator

MICHI WIANCKO is a versatile and highly imaginative composer, violinist, and collaborator, whose multi-faceted creative projects and organizational work prioritize artistic discovery, as well as community resilience and social change.

Fivesparks Music Festival - Celebration Concert
2025-06-21 19:30 - 21:30 | Unitarian Universalist Church, 9 Ayer Road, Harvard, MA, 01451, United States
After a week of rehearsing and coaching, musicians present their final performances!
SUGGESTED DONATION AT THE DOOR: $20.

4 Voices in Color - Artist Meet & Greet
2025-06-25 14:00 - 16:00 | Fivesparks
4 Voices in Color
Susan Aeschbach, Cathie Brenner, Margo Ezekiel and Judith Stein are Boston-based abstract artists. “4 Voices in Color” showcases their different views on both the natural world and the fantasy world. Each artist has a unique approach to creating abstracts incorporating a variety of materials and mediums. The exhibit includes mixed media works, acrylic paintings, oil paintings, collage, fiber arts, and eco prints.
Bonded by their shared passion for abstract work and a determination to deepen their own art practices, Susan, Cathie, Margo and Judith have created a group with two other artists called the Black Sweater Artist Group. This group meets regularly to share ideas, exchange resources/techniques, encourage further experimentation in their work, and exhibit collaboratively when possible.
Cathie Brenner & Margo Ezekiel will be at Fivesparks on Wednesday, June 25, 2025, 2:00-4:00pm to meet visitors and talk about their art.
Cathie is a painter and collage artist from Brookline, MA. Her mixed media paintings incorporate old scraps from family fabric, found images, writing, sand and seaweed, and other plant life. She is inspired by textures, color, memory and meaning.
Margo is a contemporary collage artist from Newton, MA. She prints her papers using a gelli-plate, which allows her to create rich textures and patterns without a press. She works organically and rarely starts with an idea; she looks to her very messy table for a spark of inspiration.
Stop by to meet the artists, hear about their inspirations, processes or to ask your own questions about their art.
Free and open to all.

The Art of Felting - 3D Mushroom House
2025-06-26 18:30 - 20:00 | Fivesparks Cove

Koan Jazz Quintet - Album Release Concert
2025-06-28 19:00 - 20:30 | Fivesparks Gallery, 7 Fairbank Street, Harvard, MA, 01451, United States
2nd Album Release – Tributaries by the Northampton based Jazz Quintet, Koan.
About Koan and the music:
Koan sprouted from our shared love and respect for the traditions of Black American music. This music is a powerful framework for communal storytelling, which captures the energy, beauty and poignant power of being human. Through our music we seek to tell our own stories and to bring our audiences into the expressive power of this artform. We approach each performance like a grand narrative weaving together our original music with arrangements which pay homage to the great innovators of modern jazz, R&B, funk, and hip hop. We hope, like any good movie, this musical narrative will be not just nice to listen to, but will immerse all in the stories we have to tell.
Have a listen here!
Koan began in the fall of 2024 out of a desire to play the music of the Second Great Quintet and Contemporary artists like Ambrose Akinmusire and Joel Ross as well as workshop our own compositions. As a collective we seek to support the projects and visions of our members. Our first album came out in June under the leadership of Mathew Mueller. We recently released our second album, Ian Behrstock’s Tributaries.

Ian hails from Maynard and Boxborough and his family is from Harvard. The Fivesparks concert brings his music back to his original community. Ian still has very strong connections to the area through family and friends.

Saturday, June 28, 7pm
TICKETS $20 — AVAILABLE FOR ADVANCE PURCHASE
OR at the door.

4 Voices in Color - Closing Reception
2025-07-12 14:00 - 16:00 | Fivesparks
Exhibit Closing Reception
Join us in celebrating and saying good-bye to the artists of 4 Voices in Color.
Susan Aeschbach, Cathie Brenner, Margo Ezekiel and Judith Stein will be at Fivesparks on Saturday, July 12 from 2:00-4:00pm to mark the closing of their combined show. Let’s celebrate the previous 6 weeks of enjoying their wonderful art with light refreshments and wine.
Free and open to all.

Summer Felting Mini-Series: Little Petshop!
2025-08-06 10:00 - 15:00 | Fivesparks Cove
Summer Felting Mini Series: Little Petshop!
August 6th & 7th
For kids rising 5th-8th grades
Do you love pets and crafting? If so, this mini series is perfect for you! Combine your passion for your pets with art-making. In this two-day class you will get to experiment with a wide range of materials and techniques. You will learn the basics of needle felting, you will build with clay and you will explore mixed-media all while making a variety of cute pets (cats/dogs, turtles, fish, small furry pets and more). And don’t forget their habitats; you will create homes, food, and toys. Leave with your very own tiny pets but without the mess!
10am-12:30pm both days (turtle, hamster, fish)
1-3pm both days (Dog/Cat and accessories)
You can join for both full days or both 1/2 days. If you want to join for just one of the two days reach out and well see what we can do! $75 – $150 depending on the time registered for.
To register, click here.

Evening Felting - Turtle
2025-08-06 18:30 - 20:00 | Fivesparks Cove
Evening Felting with Rachel
Back-to-back, two project options on August 6th & 7th
6:30-8pm
Adults and teens (kids 9-12 are welcome with an adult)
Wednesday 8/6 – Turtle
Thursday 8/7 – Painting with Wool, Under the Sea (5×7)
$28 for one class, or $50 for both.
Prior experience not required!
To sign up click here:
