Blackstone River Theatre

Blackstone River Theatre (BRT), situated in Cumberland across from the old Ann & Hope Mill, is a cultural landmark established on the site of the former Unity Masonic Lodge, built in 1928 and abandoned in 1987. This nonprofit cultural arts and community center, which also houses the Heritage Arts Studio for arts education, was envisioned in 1996 by Russell Gusetti and Bob Drouin of Pendragon. They led the transformation of the dilapidated building into a vibrant venue for the arts in the Blackstone Valley with the support of the John H. Chafee Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor Commission, the Town of Cumberland, and local businesses. Since reopening in September 2000 after a four-year volunteer renovation effort, BRT has hosted performances and continued to improve its facilities, including significant renovations and the addition of office and classroom spaces funded by grants from The Champlin Foundation and the Rhode Island State Council on the Arts. With over 54,000 volunteer hours contributed since 1996, BRT stands as a testament to community engagement and the power of the arts to revitalize spaces.