Leading in Central MA: Paul Overton of The Center at Eagle Hill
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Monday, November 18, 2013
Susan Wagner, GoLocalWorcester Contributor
In his twenty-five year career in the performing arts, Paul Overton has worked with a tremendous variety of organizations, from the smallest community theaters to some of the most well known producing organizations in the United States. He is known among his colleagues as a community builder, a careful curator, and an advocate for the arts in education.
In his position as Director of The Center, Paul is excited to expand the role that the arts play in the community of Hardwick, the culture of Eagle Hill School, and the region of Central Massachusetts. Through strengthening Cultural Center offerings, engaging audience participation, and booking a greater variety of acts from around the globe, Paul hopes to position The Cultural Center at Eagle Hill as the most recognized name for arts presenting in Central Massachusetts.
A Conversation with Paul Overton
SW: Lets talk first about your career. How did your career begin and where?
PO: I took a rather serpentine route to where I am. My Masters was in technical theater and I worked in theater in California. Because of coincidence and circumstance, my partner and I headed out on a ten year tour to teach swing dancing all over the planet. After a while we were ready to stay in one place and settled in North Carolina where I taught high school.
SW: What led you to your current career path?
PO: I ended up moving into a career as production manager at Duke University for a robust, sixty-show season. I learned a lot about the producing side rather than the technical. When the position opened here, I jumped at the chance to not only run a midsize theater but also return to teaching, which I love.
SW: What makes The Center at Eagle Hill special?
PO: Partly it is its semi-remote location. There aren’t a lot of other things to do in Hardwick in terms of live entertainment and people are always astonished when they come for the first time that a beautiful cultural center would be located in what some would consider to be the middle of nowhere. In terms of practical considerations, we try to keep our ticket prices as low as possible and provide a place for the community to share each other’s company and experience art.
SW: Can you describe a day in your life?
PO: My day starts at 8 in the morning with a Jam Band class that I co-teach. I follow that with an hour of correspondence and then teach a scenery construction class to get ready for the fall play. A break for lunch is followed by working on next season’s programming, the marketing for this season, handling the logistics and anything else that I need to do. At night, I am in rehearsal for our fall production that I have two roles in.
SW: Who or what has had the greatest influence on your life?
PO: I am all over the place with this question as there are so many. My parents are both artists so I was born with a pen and brush in my hands. They gave me the idea that everything you do is creative, destructive, or simply passive. I try my best to bring a creative spirit to everything I do, from the thrill of booking a season to the most mundane of tasks. It’s a meditation of sorts and a good reminder to myself that I always have a choice about how I perceive the world and operate within it.
SW: Your favorite quote?
PO: Argh! So many. But I would say that I am greatly influenced by Harper Lee’s character from To Kill a Mockingbird, Atticus Finch. The quote I like above all others is:
“I wanted you to see what real courage is, instead of getting the idea that courage is a man with a gun in his hand. It's when you know you're licked before you begin, but you begin anyway and see it through no matter what.”
SW: What is the something that few people know about you?
PO: Few people know the scope of my dance career or that I was in a reggae band. I am also a dog fanatic although people may have figured that out since I am always dropping down to the ground to pet any dog that I see.
SW: How do you spend your free time?
PO: I work on music, watch documentaries, read a lot of music biographies, play instruments. I like to search for new artists that are underrepresented on not represented as well as those well known.
SW: How are you involved with the community?
PO: We hope to expand offerings to the community and bring in more adult classes and lectures. We are getting more involved with the needs of the community. This year, we have a special partnership with Country Bank that allows us to give any proceeds over cost to local charities. We provide tickets and a bus to bring kids from Hardwick Youth Center to performances. Our kids pack food at the Hardwick Food Pantry and we are using our bus to help with food deliveries now that they have had to move to a less central location. The idea is that we are not only a performing arts center, but a place that encourages involvement and participates in the community, addressing any needs where we can be of assistance.
SW: Any special plans for the future?
PO: I am a project-based person and see things in chunks of 2-5 years. For the next 5, I would like to increase funding and level of performance as well as increasing the level of community involvement in The Center. We hope to bring in more folks from surrounding areas like Worcester and the towns in Western Mass. It’s my goal to continue and build upon the excellent work of my predecessor to make The Center the most vibrant and enjoyable place to experience art in Central Massachusetts.
Susan Wagner is the president of Susan Wagner PR . In this challenging economy, she has begun a new division to offer affordable start-up packages to new and emerging small businesses and non-profit organizations that include professional writing services, websites, collateral, marketing, social media, grassroots outreach and PR campaigns.
If you have suggestions for a profile, please email [email protected] .
Related Slideshow: Check Out The Grades: Massachusetts Hospitals Report Card
A recent survey released by The Leapfrog Group assigns a Hospital Safety Score, using the report card system of A to F to each of the hospitals in Rhode Island. These grades are based on expert analysis of injuries, infections and errors that cause harm or death during a hospital stay.
Let's see how each of Massachusetts' hospitals were graded from highest to lowest:
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Addison Gilbert Hospital
Gloucester, MA
Fall 2013 Grade: A
Spring 2013 Grade: A
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Anna Jaques Hospital
Newburyport, RI
Fall 2013 Grade: A
Spring 2013 Grade: B
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Baystate Franklin Medical Center
Greenfield, MA
Fall 2013 Grade: A
Spring 2013 Grade: A
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Baystate Medical Center
Springfield, MA
Fall 2013 Grade: A
Spring 2013 Grade: A
(Photo: John Phelan, Wikimedia)
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Berkshire Medical Center
Pittsfield, MA
Fall 2013 Grade: A
Spring 2013 Grade: A
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Beth Israel Deaconess Hospital Milton
Milton, MA
Fall 2013 Grade: A
Spring 2013 Grade: B
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Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center
Boston, MA
Fall 2013 Grade: A
Spring 2013 Grade: A
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Beverly Hospital
Beverly, MA
Fall 2013 Grade: A
Spring 2013 Grade: A
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Boston Medical Center
Boston, MA
Fall 2013 Grade: A
Spring 2013 Grade: A
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Brigham and Women's Hospital
Boston, MA
Fall 2013 Grade: A
Spring 2013 Grade: A
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Brigham and Women's Faulkner Hospital
Boston, MA
Fall 2013 Grade: A
Spring 2013 Grade: A
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Cambridge Health Alliance: Cambridge
Cambridge, MA
Fall 2013 Grade: A
Spring 2013 Grade: A
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Cambridge Health Alliance: Whidden
Everett, MA
Fall 2013 Grade: A
Spring 2013 Grade: A
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Cape Cod Hospital
Hyannis, MA
Fall 2013 Grade: A
Spring 2013 Grade: A
(Photo: Davee, Flickr)
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Carney Hospital
Dorchester, MA
Fall 2013 Grade: A
Spring 2013 Grade: A
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Charlton Memorial Hospital: Southcoast Hospitals Group
Fall River, MA
Fall 2013 Grade: A
Spring 2013 Grade: B
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Emerson Hospital
Concord, MA
Fall 2013 Grade: A
Spring 2013 Grade: B
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Hallmark Health System: Lawrence Memorial Hospital of Medford
Medford, MA
Fall 2013 Grade: A
Spring 2013 Grade: A
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Hallmark Health System: Melrose-Wakefield Hospital
Melrose, MA
Fall 2013 Grade: A
Spring 2013 Grade: A
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Harrington Memorial Hospital
Southbridge, MA
Fall 2013 Grade: A
Spring 2013 Grade: A
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Holy Family Hospital
Methuen, MA
Fall 2013 Grade: A
Spring 2013 Grade: A
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Jordan Hospital
Plymouth, MA
Fall 2013 Grade: A
Spring 2013 Grade: C
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Lahey Hospital and Medical Center
Burlington, MA
Fall 2013 Grade: A
Spring 2013 Grade: A
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Leonard Morse Hospital
Natick, MA
Fall 2013 Grade: A
Spring 2013 Grade: A
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Lowell General Hospital
Lowell, MA
Fall 2013 Grade: A
Spring 2013 Grade: A
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Marlborough Hospital
Marlborough, MA
Fall 2013 Grade: A
Spring 2013 Grade: A
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Mercy Medical Center of Springfield
Springfield, MA
Fall 2013 Grade: A
Spring 2013 Grade: C
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Merrimack Valley Hospital
Haverhill, MA
Fall 2013 Grade: A
Spring 2013 Grade: C
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Framingham Union Hospital
Framingham, MA
Fall 2013 Grade: A
Spring 2013 Grade: A
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Milford Regional Medical Center
Milford, MA
Fall 2013 Grade: A
Spring 2013 Grade: A
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Morton Hospital
Taunton, MA
Fall 2013 Grade: A
Spring 2013 Grade: A
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Mount Auburn Hospital
Cambridge, MA
Fall 2013 Grade: A
Spring 2013 Grade: A
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Nashoba Valley Medical Center: A Steward Family Hospital
Ayer, MA
Fall 2013 Grade: A
Spring 2013 Grade: B
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Newton-Wellesley Hospital
Newton, MA
Fall 2013 Grade: A
Spring 2013 Grade: A
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Noble Hospital
Westfield, MA
Fall 2013 Grade: A
Spring 2013 Grade: A
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North Shore Medical Center - Union Hospital
Lynn, MA
Fall 2013 Grade: A
Spring 2013 Grade: A
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Quincy Medical Center
Quincy, MA
Fall 2013 Grade: A
Spring 2013 Grade: A
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Signature Healthcare Brockton Hospital
Brockton, MA
Fall 2013 Grade: A
Spring 2013 Grade: A
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South Shore Hospital
South Weymouth, MA
Fall 2013 Grade: A
Spring 2013 Grade: A
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Steward Good Samaritan Medical Center, Inc.
Brockton, MA
Fall 2013 Grade: A
Spring 2013 Grade: A
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St. Luke's Hospital: Southeast Hospitals Group
New Bedford, MA
Fall 2013 Grade: A
Spring 2013 Grade: B
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Steward Norword Hospital
Norwood, MA
Fall 2013 Grade: A
Spring 2013 Grade: A
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Steward St. Anne's Hospital
Fall River, MA
Fall 2013 Grade: A
Spring 2013 Grade: A
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Steward St. Elizabeth's Medical Center
Boston, MA
Fall 2013 Grade: A
Spring 2013 Grade: A
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Sturdy Memorial Hospital
Attleboro, MA
Fall 2013 Grade: A
Spring 2013 Grade: A
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The Cooley Dickinson Hospital
Northampton, MA
Fall 2013 Grade:
Spring 2013 Grade:
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Tobey Hospital: Southcoast Hospitals Group
Wareham, MA
Fall 2013 Grade: A
Spring 2013 Grade: A
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Wing Memorial Hospital & Medical Centers
Palmer, MA
Fall 2013 Grade: A
Spring 2013 Grade: A
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Beth Israel Deaconess Hospital: Needham
Needham, MA
Fall 2013 Grade: B
Spring 2013 Grade: A
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Falmouth Hospital
Falmouth, MA
Fall 2013 Grade: B
Spring 2013 Grade: C
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Holyoke Medical Center
Holyoke, MA
Fall 2013 Grade: B
Spring 2013 Grade: A
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Lawrence General Hospital
Lawrence, MA
Fall 2013 Grade: B
Spring 2013 Grade: B
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Massachusetts General Hospital
Boston, MA
Fall 2013 Grade: B
Spring 2013 Grade: B
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North Shore Medical Center: Salem Hospital
Salem, MA
Fall 2013 Grade: B
Spring 2013 Grade: B
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Saints Medical Center
Lowell, MA
Fall 2013 Grade: B
Spring 2013 Grade: B
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St. Vincent at Worcester Medical Center
Worcester, MA
Fall 2013 Grade: B
Spring 2013 Grade: A
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Tufts Medical Center
Boston, MA
Fall 2013 Grade: B
Spring 2013 Grade: A
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Winchester Hospital
Winchester, MA
Fall 2013 Grade: B
Spring 2013 Grade: B
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HealthAlliance Hospital
Leominster, MA
Fall 2013 Grade: C
Spring 2013 Grade: B
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North Adams Regional Hospital
North Adams, MA
Fall 2013 Grade: C
Spring 2013 Grade: A
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U Mass Memorial Medical Center
Worcester, MA
Fall 2013 Grade: C
Spring 2013 Grade: Not Graded*
*Not graded because the hospital did not respond to Leapfrog's voluntary survey
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U Mass Memorial Medical Center: Memorial Campus
Worcester, MA
Fall 2013 Grade: C
Spring 2013 Grade: C
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Athol Memorial Hospital
Athol, MA
Fall 2013 Grade: Not Graded*
Spring 2013 Grade: Not Graded*
*Not graded because the hospital did not respond to Leapfrog's voluntary survey
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Baystate Mary Lane Hospital
Ware, MA
Fall 2013 Grade: Not Graded*
Spring 2013 Grade: Not Graded*
*Not graded because the hospital did not respond to Leapfrog's voluntary survey
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Boston Children's Hospital
Boston, MA
Fall 2013 Grade: Not Graded*
Spring 2013 Grade: Not Graded*
*Not graded because the hospital did not respond to Leapfrog's voluntary survey
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Clinton Hospital
Clinton, MA
Fall 2013 Grade: Not Graded*
Spring 2013 Grade: Not Graded*
*Not graded because the hospital did not respond to Leapfrog's voluntary survey
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Dana-Farber Cancer Institute
Boston, MA
Fall 2013 Grade: Not Graded*
Spring 2013 Grade: Not Graded*
*Not graded due to lack of publicly available data
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Fairview Hospital
Great Barrington, MA
Fall 2013 Grade: Not Graded*
Spring 2013 Grade: Not Graded*
*Not graded because the hospital did not respond to Leapfrog's voluntary survey
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Martha's Vineyard Hospital
Oak Bluffs, MA
Fall 2013 Grade: Not Graded*
Spring 2013 Grade: Not Graded*
*Not graded because the hospital did not respond to Leapfrog's voluntary survey
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Massachusetts Eye And Ear
Boston, MA
Fall 2013 Grade: Not Graded*
Spring 2013 Grade: Not Graded*
*Not graded because the hospital did not respond to Leapfrog's voluntary survey
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Nantucket Cottage Hospital
Nantucket, MA
Fall 2013 Grade: Not Graded*
Spring 2013 Grade: Not Graded*
*Not graded because the hospital did not respond to Leapfrog's voluntary survey
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New England Baptist Hospital
Boston, MA
Fall 2013 Grade: Not Graded*
Spring 2013 Grade: Not Graded*
*Not graded because the hospital did not respond to Leapfrog's voluntary survey
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