About Reagle

Our Mission

Reagle Music Theatre's mission is to present the highest quality of musical theatre productions by combining talented regional performers with professional performers and technicians, thus providing an unusual learning experience for its regular members and more enjoyable experiences for its audiences. Reagle Music Theatre is committed to using the skills of its company to strengthen and enhance teaching and learning in the Waltham Public Schools by educating youth to the joys of theatre, and by using theatre techniques to enhance learning in other curriculum areas.

Our History

Reagle Music Theatre was founded in the summer of 1969 as an outlet for talented high school and college students by Robert J. Eagle, a Waltham Public Schools teacher and administrator, who received a grant from the Waltham City Council to support a summer theatre. The superintendent of schools thought this was a good use of the empty school theatres, and he arranged the rent-free use of the theatres, the Robinson and the Crawford. In subsequent years, because no grant funds were available, the players embarked on an endless round of bake sales, car washes, and auctions in order to support the summer theatre. During those early years, as the group became better known, people from other communities joined. From the outset, Reagle’s purpose has been to produce the most professional productions possible, while providing unique educational, recreational, and entertainment opportunities for its members. Even in 1969, careful research was done on the original Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Carousel, and a full orchestra was engaged in order to reach the standard established by Mr. Eagle.

Ticket sales and individual donations have been the primary source of income and support since 1969. Although it was never required, Reagle made major improvements in and paid for much of the maintenance of the two theatres. In time, under Reagle’s leadership, both were air-conditioned. Moreover, a 40’ by 75’ steel, set storage warehouse was erected behind Robinson Theatre at Waltham High School at a cost of $50,000.Most notable, however, Reagle was the catalyst for a $1.2 million addition and improvements to the Waltham High School Fine Arts Wing completed in April 2002, and Reagle Players raised $250,000 of the total sum.

Reagle Music Theatre has been honored twice with the Moss Hart Memorial Award, a New England trophy. A newer series of awards, the IRNE (Independent Reviewers of New England) has been bestowed on Reagle in several categories annually since its inception in 1997, while critical reviews have been excellent.

In 1984 Reagle Music Theatre hired its first Equity actor under a Guest Artist agreement. The summer theatre now operates under a Letter of Agreement with Actors Equity of New York and reverts to the Guest Artist status from September to June.

Reagle became incorporated on September 28, 1977, and received non profit status, 501 (c) (3), in 1984. Reagle Music Theatre has been a member of the National Alliance for Musical Theatre since 1993.

Our Affiliates