Terry has been directing plays (in his childhood neighborhood) since he was 8 years old, the first being Shakespeare’s MacBeth. Most recently he has directed the Annisquam Village Players annual summer musical from 1990 to the present time. Each summer Terry works with a cast and crew of almost 100, ages 5-90, with backgrounds as varied as doctor, lawyer, judge, artist, CEO, student, businessperson, professional actor, and everything in between. Over the past 30 years, the AVP has produced many of Broadway’s musical classics, repeating only one show, The Sound of Music, which was written in Annisquam. Terry often takes to the stage in the AVP productions, either playing a cast part, such as D’Arque in Beauty and the Beast, or a self-created part. When not directing, Terry has been a judge on the Massachusetts Land Court for fifteen years, retiring from the bench several years ago, and now mediating cases in Boston and teaching at several Massachusetts law schools, and before that a Boston real estate lawyer for 32 years. He has also performed over the years in a number of productions on the North Shore, a judge in The Crucible and To Kill a Mockingbird, a juror in 12 Angry Men, a tailor in the Finnish play The Betrothal, and Camillo (an unappreciated politician) in Shakespeare’s The Winter’s Tale. He also wrote and produced several children’s shows, performing as Narrator with the Cape Ann Symphony in Gloucester, and participated in several Shakespeare staged readings in Boston, performing as Friar Lawrence in Romeo and Juliet with the Federalist Society’s Shakespeare and the Law. He also wrote and produced an original musical in honor of the 100th anniversary of the Annisquam Yacht Club. To keep in shape for the active rehearsal schedules, Terry has also run the Boston Marathon annually from 1991 to 2007, as well as the Washington DC Marine Corps Marathon and the New York City Marathon. Terry has also written two mystery novels, which he eventually hopes to get published when he slows down. Perhaps Terry’s greatest drama was climbing Mount Kilimanjaro (Africa’s tallest mountain) in February of 2016.
Mike has participated with the Annisquam Village Players since 2006. He began performing following encouragement from his good friend Terry Sands and has taken part in several productions over the years. Some of his favorites included Hello Dolly, Mamma Mia, The Wizard of Oz and Annie. He values the collaboration among members both onstage and offstage. Outside of AVP, Mike is employed at an accounting firm that works with nonprofit organizations and small businesses. He resides in Gloucester and acknowledges the support of his wife Lisa and his adult sons, Jared and Jacob.
Like many members, Victoria was led to the AVP through her children. She was involved in community theater throughout her own childhood, then got sidetracked by life, until her daughter Denby landed a role in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat in 2009. The next thing she knew, Victoria was part of the cast as well. Having rediscovered an old passion, she quickly became addicted. Some of her favorite parts have been Lily in Annie, Annie Oakley in Annie Get your Gun, Roxie in Chicago, and Lina Lamont in Singin’ in the Rain. Her son, Talman, and daughter, Kryn, have also joined the ranks of the AVP, and she is thrilled that her children love theater, too. Wanting to do more to support an organization that brings so much joy to the Annisquam community, Victoria joined the board in 2010. She particularly enjoys working on the AVP scholarship committee and the AVP newsletter. When not on stage, or performing behind-the scenes for the AVP, Victoria is a writer and editor, and an avid dancer and skier.
Jim has been participating in the Annisquam Village Players. on and off the stage, for several years. Productions include Singin’ In The Rain and The Little Mermaid, where Jim reveled in his many character performances. In Singin’ In the Rain, Jim was responsible for the infamous rain scene onstage, setting new technical standards for the AVP. Jim has also appeared in the guys’ group in many Cabaret performances.
Board Member Val Gilman got involved with AVP in 2009 because her then 9-year-old son, Jared, had his AVP debut as “Sandy the dog” in Annie. Her personal involvement in AVP summer theatre began as a chorus member in Annie Get Your Gun and Camelot. She played the role of Auntie Em in Wizard of Oz, and, Mrs. Darling, in Peter Pan. Val accepted a spot on the AVP board because she believes that family performing arts opportunities are alive and well here in Annisquam.
Val is currently President of the Gloucester City Council and she has served as an elected official for 13 years, six on the School Committee and seven as our Ward 4 City Councilor. She enjoys performing in our impromptu politician scenes that has become an Annisquam tradition.
My first connection to AVP came in 2018 with their production of The Little Mermaid. I offered to help set up the sails for the boat which I constructed for my school’s show. Everyone was so friendly and made me feel welcome. I am thrilled to be around such wonderful people. Then the next summer Terry said to me “You’re going to help with our show – right?!” Well, needless to say I was hooked and have enjoyed being part of AVP. I now look forward to the show every summer.
Keith McCarthy, Board Member Emeritus
Keith McCarthy has been involved with AVP in roles both onstage and off since he made his AVP debut as Jeff in Brigadoon in 2004. On stage, Keith’s favorite AVP roles include Cogsworth in Beauty and the Beast, Pelinore in Camelot, Chief Sitting Bull in Annie Get Your Gun, and Amos in Chicago. Offstage, Keith was an active member of the AVP board from 2009 to 2020. Since 2020, he has served in an advisory capacity, helping AVP with special projects such as editing the online video productions during the pandemic, updating the sound system, and serving as the AVP liaison to the Annisquam Village Hall Association during the 2022 renovations.
In addition to his work with AVP, Keith teaches 7th grade English and directs the musicals and plays at Rockport Middle School, narrates audiobooks and educational texts for a number of major publishers, serves on the council of the musical theater division of the Massachusetts Educational Theater Guild, and serves on school accreditation site visit teams for the New England Association of Schools and Colleges.
Tom wandered in off the street one day while we were rehearsing for The Wizard of Oz. He looked cold and hungry and we let him in. Because we have been feeding him and giving him shelter, he keeps coming back. In exchange for offerings, Tom helps AVP by building sets and playing the odd character part in our plays. We don’t know what Tom does when he’s not with AVP because he’s always here.
Daphne started her days at AVP with Damn Yankees. At least one of her daughters -Charlotte, Abby, and Gracie- have been involved in each show since… and so has their mom!
She organizes the Bi-annual AVP Porch Tour Fundraiser. Porch-goers saunter through Annisquam Village, socialize with neighbors and meet new friends. The tour highlights private porches with fabulous views of Lobster cove, Annisquam river, and Ipswich bay. The tour concludes with a sunset porch serenade from the cast of the AVP’s current summer show!
When not recruiting porches, hawking tickets, helping prepare the float for the Horribles Parade, hanging signs at the 128 rotary, painting sets in Chicki’s garage, taking photos, and putting together the behind-the-scene’s video for the Cast Party – Daphne is preparing for her World Famous Christmas Display of “Barbie World” – which attracts visitors from around the globe!
Tim became involved with AVP through his daughter Morgan’s roles in Beauty and the Beast, Singing in the Rain, Mama Mia and Nothing to Hyde. Tim has built pieces and parts of the sets for most of these shows, and even had a cameo appearance as a (poorly) dancing monster in Nothing to Hyde – against his better judgment. Tim and Morgan are pleased to continue supporting community theater in Annisquam. When Tim is not a line-dancing monster or set building, he restores degraded habitats and conducts climate change mitigation projects.
Linda Savarese
Linda has been a member of the AVP since 2018 and has donned many hats over the years. During past productions, she worked behind the scenes as children’s director, concession stand manager and, currently, coordinating the AVP’s sponsorship coordinator. After winning the accolade “Crew Member We Most Want To See On Stage” for two years in a row, she finally made her stage debut playing the role of Miss Lark in the 2022 production of Mary Poppins. She is a certified care manager, founding North Shore Care Management in 2024 to help families transition their elders to better living. A long-time resident of Annisquam, she is certain that participating in community theatre is the stuff of magic.
Anne has enjoyed being part of the theater scene since her high school days when she helped with costumes for the play The Boyfriend. She’s been involved with AVP since 2003 when her daughter, Daria Whittaker, was performing in The Music Man and a massive cast required lots of costume help. Since then, Anne’s assisted with AVP’s costume needs and she loves the entire process of costuming a show. But mostly she enjoys being a part of the friendly, fun and talented AVP community.
Bill Wrinn
Bill has been a member of the AVP since 2018 when he and his daughter got tired of just attending the shows every summer and decided it was time to take part. Since then, he’s played various leading roles in Little Mermaid, Mama Mia!, Nothing to Hyde, Mary Poppins, Gloucester Story, Cinderella, and Hello, Dolly!, along with getting roped into a few embarrassing winter Cabaret numbers along the way. A marketing and communications professional for over 35 years, Bill helps direct the AVP’s media communications and publicity, including the website, social media, and emails. During the year, he mentors urban entrepreneurs as a volunteer for the nonprofit organization E for All.