The Treehouse Collective
Ensemble-based theatre that inspires.
The Treehouse Collective was built when a group of like-minded artists realized that the Greater Boston community needed a company dedicated to producing infrequently performed, ensemble-based work. More than the kind of work we produced, however, was the value we all placed on the experience we wanted theatre-making to be: supportive, fun, educational, and equitable. We love teaching, so we wanted to provide opportunities for our community to learn and grow alongside the company. We value the energy and curiosity a theatre novice can bring to any space, and so we’ve built a mentorship program that ensures a supportive environment for folks who want to get their feet wet. We know that cost can be a barrier to attending live theatre, and so we committed to creating options for ways audience members could see our work, including industry nights, volunteer opportunities, and open rehearsals. We also know how important it is for artists to be compensated for their labor. We are committed to paying artists for their work as our company grows in a manner that is equitable and transparent.
Artists need time, space, and the support of an ensemble to produce theatre that meaningfully reaches audiences. We cannot wait to welcome you to The Treehouse and are so excited about what’s ahead.
Katie Swimm
Artistic Director
Co-Founder
Katie Swimm has been active in community, regional, and university theatre for over twenty years as a director, actor, intimacy choreographer/consultant, and educator. She received a BFA in Theatre Performance from Niagara University, an MA in Literature at Northwestern, and a PhD in Theatre and Performance Studies at Tufts University. Her areas of expertise include musical theatre, theatre and mental illness, community-based theatre practice, and consent-based and trauma-informed theatre-making. http://www.katieswimm.com
Jeff Kimball
Resident Music Director
Co-Founder
Jeff (he/him) is a frequent MD, performer and educator around the Northeast, working at the intersection of music, theatre, education and improv. http://www.jeffkimballmusic.com/
Katie Kinlay
Financial Director
Founding Ensemble Member
Katie is a stage manager who has been participating in Boston-area community theatre since 2019. Although you'll never see her on stage, she loves working behind the scenes with the cast and crew. By day, she works in public accounting, serving as an advisor to accounting departments of life sciences companies.
Melissa Paz
Producer-at-Large
Founding Ensemble Member
Melissa Paz (she/her) is a Boston-based performer with a passion for art that is inclusive, inspiring, and engaging. She has had the pleasure of being involved in the theater community on and off stage for the last decade. By day she works in college mental health, where she designs programs to support students' emotional health and wellbeing.
Lisa Tierney
Managing Director
Founding Ensemble Member
Lisa has been an active performer in community theater across Central and Eastern MA since 2012. Having played leading roles and ensemble roles in equal measure, she is passionate about the way a great theater project can build a community of artists who tell stories that matter. By day she works in Agile software development, coaching techniques for building high-performing engineering teams that are grounded in psychological safety and effective teamwork.
Zack Page
Audience Engagement and Outreach Manager Ensemble Member
Zack (he/him) has been involved in theatre for over a decade, and has worn many hats over the years. He has experience in performance, stage management, and directing. With a degree in Arts Management and several years of customer service expertise, Zack has cultivated a skillset that lends itself perfectly to The Treehouse Collective's core values. He works in higher ed and is passionate about creating inclusive and accessible theatre.
AJ Lyman
Productions Manager Ensemble Member
AJ is a Boston-based performer who has been active in the theatre community since 2018. He is excited to join a Treehouse Collective team that is so dedicated to inclusivity, engagement, and ensemble-based work. By day, he is an Accessibility Specialist that works to implement accommodations with college- students who have a disability(ies) in order to ensure their equal access to the collegiate experience.
Ashley DiFranza
Marketing and Communications Manager Ensemble Member
Ashley DiFranza is a Boston-based director, performer, and theater educator with a passion for telling stories in new and unexpected ways. She is also a seasoned marketing professional with an expertise in social media and content marketing and a passion for using her skills to elevate the messaging and values of local, ensemble-based theater organizations like the Treehouse Collective.
Devin Bean
Fundraising and Grants Manager Ensemble Member
Devin (they/she) has had the privilege of being involved in theater and performance since elementary school. They are a middle school educator by day, with experience in archival research, and are excited to bring their skills in accessibility, communication, and organization to further the mission of The Treehouse Collective.