CCTC/HJT Welcomes New Producing Artistic Director Jenn Pina

The board of directors of the Cape Cod Theatre Company/Harwich Junior Theatre (CCTC/HJT) has announced that as of Dec. 31, Kate Pazakis will resign as producing artistic director, and Jenn Pina will take over the position on Jan. 1. The leadership change comes two years after the retirement of long-time Producing Artistic Director Nina Schuessler.

Pina, who lives in Brewster, grew up in Harwich and first saw a play at Harwich Junior Theatre at age 5. She began taking classes at HJT when she was 6, and performed in her first play when she was 7. Like so many others, she calls CCTC/HJT her artistic home. She sums up the opportunity to lead CCTC/HJT as producing artistic director in one word: amazing.

“It’s wonderful. A homecoming,” Pina said.

Pina has been an actor, dancer, director and teacher in theaters and performance spaces from California to New York, Massachusetts to Louisiana for over 40 years. She is co-artistic director, ensemble member and co-founder, along with Andy Arden-Reese, of ASA Theatre.

Always hungry to grow and push the bounds of performance, Pina has learned, worked, played and taught in the Experimental Theatre Wing in New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts, Tinbox Theatre, Happensdance Improvisational Wing, Sledgehammer Theatre, and Pilgrim Theatre. She is particularly drawn to working with very old scripts and creating new work, and has premiered scripts by Eric Ehn, David Rosenthal, Kevin Rice, Laura Harrington and others. She graduated from Boston College with a BA in economics, and for over 20 years has worked as an executive coach, using theater-based techniques to help leaders around the globe hone their ability to connect with their audiences. Her client list is extensive, and she has worked with leaders from such institutions as Harvard Business School, Columbia Business School, Kellogg School of Management, Wellington Management, Bain Capital, TED, The Ariel Group, and UP Education Network.

“Over the years, I have been coming back home to CCTC/HJT from all over the country, whenever I could, to see a play, to direct, to be in a play, to usher — anything I could to help out,” Pina said. “It’s wonderful to be living back on Cape Cod again. The timing is perfect. I am in the right place in my life and career to take this on. In this moment, this is the ideal way for me to serve the theater and the community I love so much.”

Pina said that in addition to being artistic and collaborative by nature, she is also analytical. She is confident that her new role at CCTC/HJT will allow each facet of her nature and skill set to shine.

“To bring all of those parts of me together feels like a homecoming too,” Pina said. “When I first looked at the job description I noticed the many hats worn by the producing artistic director, and I thought, is the best way for me to serve right now? I quickly realized I very much appreciate that it is one role, not split between an artistic director and a business manager or similar. It means every decision I make has to be made through both lenses. It helps me, in collaboration with my incredible team, to make the best possible decisions.”

Two important aspects of CCTC/HJT that Pina cherishes are the multigenerational nature of the place and the way skills gained and experience acquired at CCTC/HJT help in all areas of life, within and without the theater.

“Our youngest learners are 3 years old, and we also have programs for adults,” Pina said. “There are mentors here who are a generation older than I am. There are families here in which multiple generations are involved at CCTC/HJT. My Dad, who is 85, tells a story of being in a play in the Exchange Hall (where HJT was originally located). I am here now, and my kids participate too.”

Pina added that on the stage and off, there are people who are part of this community who, like her, have been educated, empowered or inspired by CCTC/HJT through the decades, and they keep coming back.

“Every time I get involved here I learn something,” Pina said. “We have an incredible group of teaching artists, and many have been here since I was a kid. Emily Murray, our director of education and outreach, was a student of mine when she was in her teens and I was in my 20s. Now she is mentoring the next generation, teaching students and teachers. Emily and I and our technical director Matt Kohler are leaning into our roots as we move forward, finding ways to continue to educate, empower and inspire everyone who comes through the doors, including young designers, directors, costume designers, stage managers, even those in administrative roles in the theater through our intern programs. All of that is to say yes, it is truly incredible to be here in this community of people who are creative collaborators and who just have this mission in their DNA, it seems, to educate, empower and inspire!”

Pina emphasized that she wants every person who comes through the CCTC/HJT doors to receive one very important message.

“I want every person who comes in, everyone we are partnering with, every member of the community and every person we are interacting with through outreach to feel that we are so glad you’re here!” Pina said. “It doesn’t matter when they first connected with the theater, whether they’ve been taking classes here since childhood or or joined for the first time as an adult. Whether they are ushering or auditioning, now or for the first time in decades, I feel so glad that you are here.”

CCTC/HJT Announces 2024 Season

Cape Cod Theatre Company/Harwich Junior Theatre has announced a preliminary production schedule for CCTC/HJT’s 2024 season.

“The Couch” Jan. 13, 5 p.m. Reception to follow. A solo musical performance starring Susan Lambert, with musical accompaniment by Jonathan Goldberg. Benefit Performance with all proceeds generously donated to CCTC/HJT's Scholarship Fund.

24 Hour Play Festival Jan. 19-20, Showcase Jan. 20, 7:30 p.m. Playwrights, directors, and actors come together to create new short plays to be written, rehearsed, and performed within the span of only 24 hours.

“Elephant & Piggy’s: ‘We Are In A Play!’” Saturdays and Sundays, Feb. 10 - March 3.

Plus school vacation week Feb. 20, 21, 22. Based on the Elephant & Piggy books by Mo Willems, published by Hyperion Books for Children.

Script and Lyrics by Mo Willems, Music by Deborah Wicks La Puma.

“Raynard the Fox, or The Trickster” March 29 - April 20. A new comedy about a very old fable by Fred Sullivan, Jr.

“Princess and the Pea” May 15 - June 9. A new adaptation by Kristin Stewart.

“Robin Hood” July 6 - July 28, Saturday and Sunday evenings in the outdoor theater.

A new adaptation by Kirsten Peacock and Nick Nudler.

“The Jungle Book” July 31 - Aug. 25. Adapted by Andy Arden-Reese, based on the book by Rudyard Kipling.