Investor Spotlight: Marie Roche of Community Shakespeare of New England
Meet Marie Roche, founder and director of Community Shakespeare of New England, which for 14 years has been a beloved gathering place for discussion of Shakespeare’s texts and high quality programming in a variety of media.
Tell us a bit about Community Shakespeare, and what you do there: Community Shakespeare of New England (CSNE) is an adult education and cultural organization dedicated to making Shakespeare and the humanities accessible, engaging, and relevant to contemporary audiences. We offer seminars, workshops, lectures, reading groups, film discussions, and special events that bring together lifelong learners, educators, artists, and community members from across the region.
Our programs combine rigorous scholarship with an inclusive and welcoming atmosphere. Participants explore Shakespeare alongside philosophy, history, literature, film, and performance, creating opportunities for meaningful conversation and intellectual growth. Programs are offered both in person and online, allowing us to serve local residents as well as participants from outside New England.
A typical day may involve researching and preparing course materials, developing new educational programs, coordinating guest scholars and artists, working with community partners, managing registrations and communications, and leading classes and discussions. At its core, CSNE is about building community through the shared exploration of great literature and ideas.
What made you decide to start Community Shakespeare? After earning my PhD in English Renaissance Studies, I wanted to bring the richness of Shakespeare and the humanities beyond the university classroom and into the wider community. I saw a need for lifelong learning opportunities that combined academic rigor with accessibility, curiosity, and meaningful discussion.
I founded Community Shakespeare of New England to create a space where people from all backgrounds could engage with Shakespeare, literature, philosophy, film, and history in a welcoming environment. What began as a passion for sharing my scholarship has grown into a vibrant community of learners who gather to explore great works, exchange ideas, and discover new perspectives together.
For me, the most rewarding aspect of this work is seeing participants develop confidence in their own interpretations, gain a voice in the conversation, and discover that their perspectives matter. Shakespeare and the humanities become most meaningful when people feel empowered to engage with the texts, ask questions, share ideas, and connect their own experiences to larger human concerns.
What is one of your great success stories, or a recent project you're proud of? One of my greatest successes has been watching Community Shakespeare of New England grow from a small educational initiative into a thriving community of lifelong learners. Over the years, participants have returned semester after semester, bringing friends, sharing ideas, and helping to create a vibrant intellectual and cultural community centered on Shakespeare and the humanities. Seeing people gain confidence in their own interpretations and find their voice in discussion has been especially rewarding.
A recent project I am particularly proud of was collaborating with Valley Players to bring a live performance of The Tempest to the Northampton Center for the Arts. The event brought together scholarship, performance, and community engagement, creating an opportunity for audiences to experience Shakespeare not only as a text to study but as a living theatrical event. It also marked an important step in expanding CSNE’s programming beyond classes and lectures and into public cultural events that connect artists, scholars, and audiences.
What else should we know about you or your business? I am excited to continue strengthening and expanding Community Shakespeare of New England as a sustainable cultural and educational organization. My goal is to build on the strong community that has developed around our classes, lectures, reading groups, and special events while creating new opportunities for lifelong learning and artistic engagement.
One of my long-term visions is to help establish a black box theatre at the Northampton Center for the Arts. Some of the foundations are already in place, but there is still important work to be done, particularly in developing the financial support and partnerships needed to sustain both the space and the programming it can host. I believe there is tremendous potential to create a flexible venue that serves local artists, performers, educators, and audiences while strengthening the cultural life of our region.
As CSNE continues to grow, I hope to expand collaborations with scholars, theatre companies, and community organizations, creating programs that bring together education, performance, and public engagement in new and meaningful ways.
Interested in learning more about Community Shakespeare of New England? Visit their website for information on upcoming workshops, events, and more!
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