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A Performing Arts Center for Rhode Island’s East Bay
WHY ARC?
The East Bay is one of Rhode Island’s
most vibrant and artistically active regions.
YET...
There are ZERO
performing arts centers
in the East Bay.
Despite:
-
Thousands of students in theatre, music, and dance
-
Established arts organizations without permanent space
-
Closed and underutilized buildings
-
Strong local economies and proximity to major cities
CLICK FOR VIDEO
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WHO WE ARE
In early 2026, a handful of artists and community leaders gathered around a simple but powerful idea: the East Bay deserves a home for the performing arts.
That conversation became a movement. From those first meetings, the non-profit ARC was born with a bold mission: to establish a permanent, accessible performing arts center in Rhode Island's East Bay. Today, led by an active Board of Directors, ARC is building more than a venue. It is creating a place where creativity is nurtured, young people discover their voices, artists find opportunity, and communities come together through the transformative power of the Arts.
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OUR VISION
We envision an East Bay community where the performing arts have a permanent home that
makes theatre, music, dance, and cultural events accessible to all. A community where artists are supported and celebrated, and creativity is woven into the daily life of our community.
EAST BAY COMMUNITY, RI
OUR VALUES
We believe the performing arts should be welcoming, afford- able, and accessible to all ages, backgrounds, and abilities.
We exist to serve and reflect the East Bay community, honoring its diversity, creativity, and shared sense of place.
We are rooted in partnership—among artists, organizations, audiences, and the broader community—because collaboration makes our work stronger and more sustainable.
We value high-quality, meaningful artistic expression and support artists in creating work that inspires, challenges, and connects audiences.
We are committed to responsible leadership, transparency, and long-term sustainability as we build a lasting home for the performing arts.
Our Dream
A Performing Arts Center plays a vital role in community development by transforming public spaces, strengthening local economies, and nurturing social bonds. At its core, this concept refers to how artistic activities and creative spaces can improve neighborhood vitality, support economic growth, and enhance well-being for residents.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Executive Committee
NICKY PIPER / Chair
Nicky has served in board leadership roles across our community, including as Chair and Vice-Chair of a public school committee, and as a longtime nonprofit board member/leader for various organizations. Passionate about about the arts, Nicky earned her Diploma from the London Guildhall in Drama. Nicky has spent years in non-profit business operations and communications. She and her husband live in Warren, RI with their three children.
DENA DAVIS / Vice-Chair
Dena is a founding member of ARC and Artistic Director of Arts Alive!, bringing youth theatre to schools across Bristol, Warren, and Barrington. Her nearly 40-year theatre career includes over a decade working professionally as an actress and youth theatre director in London.
URIAH DONNELLY/ Treasurer
JENNA TREMBLAY/ Secretary
Uriah is the co-owner of arc{hive} book + snackery, a used bookstore and bar in Warren, Rhode Island.. In 2023, he left the nonprofit sector after founding and directing The Collaborative, a community arts nonprofit focused on supporting local artists and creative projects. Uriah holds a Master’s degree in Digital Media Production and a BA in English from Rhode Island College, where he also taught Film Studies as an Adjunct Professor.
Jenna is a clinical mental health counselor, artist, and arts educator who brings extensive leadership experience in performing arts, advocacy, fundraising, and community engagement, along with expertise in expressive arts and mental health.
Directors
ABBIE-JO FRANCIS
Abbie-Jo is an early childhood education leader with 24+ years at the Children's Workshop Foundation, where she now now serves as Director of Education. She also serves on the Bristol Theatre Company's Board as secretary and costumer and supports Arts Alive! as a rehearsal and costume assistant.
CHRISTINE MANCHESTER
Chris spent 37 years in the marketing & advertising industry. She was an active member of Bristol Theatre Company, serving as their Chairman for six years. For the past nine years, Chris served on the Board of the Community String Program as their PR & marketing manager. She lives in Bristol with her husband, they have two daughters and three granddaughters, and their dogs, Benny & Clyde.
KERRI PAYNE
Kerri helped to launch what became Arts Alive! at Nayatt School where she served as PTO President and as one of
its original board members. She is a real estate agent and staging specialist at Residential Properties and hopes to assist ARC in finding their first dream home.
MARIE KNAPMAN
Marie, an active leader and community organizer, is the Director of the Franklin Court Independent Living community, a member of The Bristol Board of Canvassers and a Trustee on the Rogers Free Library Board of Trustees. In addition, Marie is Chairman of the Bristol Theatre Company,, a member and volunteer of the Bristol Rotary Club, and a founding member of Arts in Common. She lives in Bristol with her husband, Briistol's Deputy Fire Chief, and has two grown, former "theater kids.
TRACEY MYATT
Tracy has been involved with both Arts Alive! and Bristol Theatre Company for over 10 years, joining the Arts Alive! Board in 2020 and co-president for 4 years. A graduate of Lafayette College with a BS in Biology, Tracey holds a masters degree from Duke University, an MD from Brown University and did her pediatric residency at Hasbro Children’s Hospital. She has been a practicing pediatrician in Providence since 2005.She lives with her husband, two children, and two crazy dogs in Barrington.
ADAM RAMOS
Adam is a Partner with Hinckley, Allen & Snyder, and is an adviser and advocate in their Litigation Department. He earned his Juris Doctorate from Roger Williams University School of Law, He's a Board Member of the
Hope Alzheimer's Center, and has served on the Bristol Warren Regional School Committee, and was a
member of the Bristol Warren Education Foundation, Adam lives in Bristol with his wife and two children, volunteers as a youth sports coach and is active in community theater.
KARA ROCHA
Kara Rocha has more than 30 years of theatre experience as a performer, director, music director, stage manager, and producer. A longtime leader with Bristol Theatre Company and Arts Alive, she is also a Senior Consultant at Public Consulting Group. Above all, Kara's favorite role is being mom to her daughters, Kali and Kaila.
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BECOME AN ARC
FOUNDING SUPPORTER
Every dollar brings us closer to creating a permanent home for the Performing Arts in Rhode Island's East Bay.
Whether your gift is $5 or $5,000, you are helping create opportunities for artists, students, educators, and audiences... for generations to come.
Together, we're building a place where creativity belongs.
DONATE TODAY.
Every gift gets us closer
to our goal.
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