Rosamond Page Putnam Center for the Performing Arts

Explore Our Theatre

Launch Theatre

About the Rosamond Page Putnam Center
for the Performing Arts

Opened in spring 2020, this state-of-the-art facility was made possible by a generous $3 million gift from Tom and Barbara Putnam, the Putnam family, and the Putnam Foundation. NEC has enjoyed a 60-plus-year relationship with the Putnam family.

Rosamond “Ros” Putnam spent most of her life in Keene, New Hampshire, pouring her heart and soul into performing in and supporting local theatre throughout southern New Hampshire. The Putnam Center serves as a permanent memorial to her lifelong commitment to theatre and the arts.

The Putnam Center boasts more than 18,000 square feet—including a 350-seat theatre, lobby, box office, control room, dressing rooms, and mezzanine—encompassing three floors. It is home to NEC’s theatre program and offers an inspiring space for students to practice their craft.

In addition to theatre performances, the possibilities within the Putnam Center are endless. NEC hopes to use the Center for a variety of community events such as a film series, author readings, or programs led by surrounding communities and schools.

One thing is certain: The road to the White House begins in New Hampshire. NEC will continue to host presidential candidates for town hall events and even dreams of hosting a presidential debate.

About NEC’s Theatre Company

What We Believe
Theatre teaches people what it means to be human. We provide the stage on which to learn. Theatre moves beyond self-expression into a place where civic and environmental connections— and the personal connection to those elements—are the responsibility of the artist. Whether it’s through the works of Shakespeare, Brecht, or Tony Kushner, our Theatre Department poses the fundamental question: What does it mean to be a human engaged with the world in which we live? We teach our students that theatre is meaningful and can change the world.

About Our Program
At NEC, theatre majors are involved in productions in their first semester. Students engage in hands-on practical experiences in every course, with most offered in the beautiful Rosamond Page Putnam Center for the Performing Arts. Every member of the theatre department has a voice in crafting program direction, from management and graphic design to performance specialties like acting, directing, theatre history, play analysis, stagecraft, lighting, Shakespeare, and more.