Our Mission

New Bedford Festival Theatre is a professional, regional, non-profit performing arts organization dedicated to: producing a varied selection of the best of musical theatre from the classics to the contemporary; utilizing high quality production techniques, staging, and choreography; engaging the best local and national talent available; responding to the diverse needs of the artistic community and of the public; and serving as a cultural and educational resource to our community.

Our History

Founded in 1990 by Mr. Armand Marchand, New Bedford Festival Theatre has presented over 30 summers of fully-mounted musical productions that have entertained over 300,000 theatre-goers. The resident theatre company of the Zeiterion Performing Arts Center, NBFT is a three-time winner of the New England Theatre Conference Moss Hart Award for Best Theatrical Production in New England for our productions of Les Miserables, Hairspray, and Mary Poppins. Last summer, our production of Joseph & the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat swept the Broadway World Boston awards, winning 7 awards including Best Direction of a Professional Musical, Best Choreography, Best Scenic Design, and Best Costume Design. In addition to producing professional musical theatre, we provide FREE educational programming and community outreach through our Summer Academy for teenagers.

We are in the process of updating our website. Please check back soon for more information about our Board of Directors, Supporters, and how to get involved!