About Us
Ridgefield Theater Barn History
In 1965, a handful of Ridgefield residents banded together to form a small theater group dedicated to providing community theater. This not-for-profit organization grew into the Ridgefield Workshop for the Performing Arts, Inc. Housed in a rustic converted dairy barn leased from the town of Ridgefield, the Workshop continues to produce an ongoing series of comedies, dramas, and musicals. We maintain a production schedule of four shows per year, with performers chosen through open auditions. The cast and crew of every show run the gamut from raw amateurs to seasoned professionals.
All participants, whether on stage or off, are volunteers. We are actors, dancers, musicians, seamstresses, carpenters, singers, electricians, and individuals who just offer willing pairs of hands to do anything from painting scenery to taking tickets at the door. Our compensation comes in the form of good times, camaraderie, and the satisfaction gained from learning new things, being part of a team, and staging a quality production. The Ridgefield Theater Barn is excited about its upcoming season—its 55th year! With cabaret seating at candlelit tables, we offer superior entertainment, so BYO refreshments and join us!
Pamme Jones
Executive director
Read Ridgefield’s HAMLETHUB interview with Pamme!
Board of Directors
Peter Authier
Board Member (Treasurer)
Are you more of a hunter or a gatherer?
More of a hunter. I like to seek out opportunities and rework them for success.
We finish the interview and you step outside and find a lottery ticket that ends up winning $10 million. What would you do?
Quit the job and take a long vacation. I would eventually return to some form of meaningful employment, probably in the non-profit sector.
What were you like in high school?
I was quiet and a bit of a nerd. I never quite fit in with the “in crowd”
Tell me something about your last job. Other than money, what would have inspired you to stay?
I loved the challenge of the work but was not inspired by the atmosphere and the mindset of the employees. I am primarily self-motivated.
Pretend you’re our CEO. What three concerns most keep you up at night?
In a fast-changing world product obsolescence is a major concern. Motivating all employees to do their best work and not losing any key employees.
What inspires you?
Curiosity and learning something new.
How would you rate your memory?
I have always had a good memory. I can remember details from events that occurred years ago.
A penguin walks through that door right now wearing a sombrero. What does he say, and why is he here?
He’s either looking for the washroom or a Margarita.
Alicia Dempster
Board Member (Secretary)
Teach me something I don’t know in the next five minutes.
Believe it or not, I am fairly confident I could show you how to fold a fitted sheet in five minutes (or less).
How would you rate your memory?
Not unlike an elephant.
Can you name three consecutive days without using the words Wednesday, Friday, or Saturday?
Sunday, Monday, Tuesday #boringanswer
If you were to get rid of one state in the US, which one would it be, and why?
Florida. Because I hate the heat and the headlines that come from Florida are always so disturbing. As a former resident, I feel I have given an informed response to this question.
Paulette Layton
Board Member (Vice President)
Are you more of a hunter or a gatherer?
A gatherer. While I’d prefer to think of myself as a hunter, I don’t have the necessary patience. Also I tend to be a big “nester”, building my space and tweaking it to make it comfortable, which inherently relies on gathering. I would think a hunter would be so focused on their goal that their environment is unimportant.
What do you think about when you’re alone in your car?
Ha! That’s easy. I’m either rehearsing a scene or a song. I could win Oscars and Tonys for my car performances!
What were you like in high school?
I definitely considered myself a misfit.
Any advice for your previous boss?
Give your employees the tools and guidance to grow. Don’t be afraid you’ll lose your staff because they grow beyond their role. Be a mentor and employees won’t want to leave. It will reap rewards for the individuals and the organization as a whole.
Teach me something I don’t know in the next five minutes.
Megszentségtelenitetetlenségetekre is the longest word in Hungarian. It’s a toast that means, “Here’s to the impossibility of any of you becoming saints”
What are you known for?
My laugh – it’s loud and enthusiastic!
Wayne Leiss
Board Member (President)
Gregory McLaughlin
Board Member
Are you more of a hunter or a gatherer?
I like to think I gather the hunters.
How would you rate your memory?
Spectacular! I even remember answering this question before. No recollection whatsoever of what I said, but it was both witty and sublime
How many pennies would fit into this room?
Marshall or Lane?
If you were to get rid of one state in the U.S. which would it be and why?
The state of discontentment.
Who would win a fight between Batman and Spiderman?
The readers
A penguin walks through that door right now wearing a sombrero. What does he say and why is he here?
Sorry, I thought this was the costume party. My mistake.
Kat Ray
Board Member (artistic committee chair)
You’re a new addition to the crayon box. What color would you be and why?
Titanium Black Purple Paladin
Lisa Riggs Hobbs
Board Member
What do you want to be when you grow up?
Music therapist by day, music director by night
If I were to hire you for this job and I granted you three promises with regard to working here, what would they be?
Mental health coverage, flexible hours, a commitment to an enriching workplace culture
What inspires you?
Bravery, selflessness, and independent thinking