puppets by Sarah Winn
Our Story
It began with a little story about the Chamber of Commerce election in the fictional small town of Rosewood. That grew in to a 90-minute stage show which grew in to the River & Main Theatre Company. River & Main – that’s the main intersection in Rosewood.
River & Main the theatre company was founded in 2016. It was a company without a home until late in 2019 when founders Rick Zimmerman, Lisa Morris, and Peter Paylor found the perfect location for a permanent storefront performance space in downtown Belleville.
It seemed like a perfect fit for Belleville’s revitalized downtown core, a space to support local talent along with the local economy. And it has been. Since opening its doors in October 2021, Theatre in The Wings has been thriving and so has the Theatre Company. You should come check out a show. You’ll be happy you did.
“The time has come for the mayor and council to do something once and for all to end the street-fighting in downtown Rosewood. It’s a black eye on our reputation and it needs to stop before more people get taken off to the hospital, which is what happened when tempers flared at the corner of River & Main this past weekend when Desmond Bailey’s World Famous Acrobatic Dogs performed in the middle of River Street while the Rosewood and Region Fancy Cat Show was held in the middle of Main.”
~ This is Rosewood, Tales from the Tavern
Founders
Rick Zimmerman
Rick studied theatre in Toronto, and for over two decades worked in regional theatre, touring and new workshop productions, with the occasional foray into film and television. Since moving to the Quinte region in 2002, Rick has worked with Stirling Festival Theatre, Festival Players of Prince Edward County, and Moonpath Productions at the Empire Theatre in Belleville. He has also worked backstage, taught theatre workshops, directed, built sets, and marketed shows to new audiences. Rick directed "Taking Care of the Browns". He is the author of "Best Medicine".
Lisa Morris
Lisa Morris is an award-winning stage and costume designer, a director, an artist, a community builder, and an advocate for the arts. She is a founding member of the company and its current Vice President. Lisa played the role of Marilyn in "Conversation Park". She directed "Dear Ray" and "Queen Victoria's Tea Room".
Peter Paylor
Peter has written dozens of plays, including a number that have been produced by River & Main Theatre Company. He is a member of the Playwrights’ Guild of Canada and a founding member of the Quinte Playwrights Collective as well as a founding member of the company and its current President. Peter wrote "Queen Victoria's Tea Room", "Dear Ray", "Taking Care of the Browns", and "Christmas in Rosewood", which he also directed. He directed "Conversation Park".
Board of Directors
Peter Paylor, President
Lisa Morris, Vice President
Jana Busse, Secretary
Larraine Milligan, Treasurer
