About Us

We are a non-profit, federal tax exempt 501(c)(3) theatre dedicated to bringing affordable, high-quality musical theatre productions to the metro-west area of Boston. Our goal is to create a place where family and friends can come together and experience an evening of wonderful, imaginative, and meaningful entertainment not far from home.


Doug Hodge
Producing Artistic Director

Originally from California, Doug has been involved in theatre for over 25 years as an actor/singer/dancer and director. Upon graduating from UC Irvine with an MFA in musical theatre, he moved to New York City and began an active theatrical career performing roles across the country in musicals including Oklahoma, My Fair Lady, A Chorus Line, Grease, 42nd Street, Some Like It Hot, The Pirates of Penzance, Kopit/Yeston’s Phantom, A Funny Thing Happened of the Way to the Forum, Singin’ in the Rain, and West Side Story.

His acting career culminated with a featured role in the national tour of The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas starring Ann-Margret that crossed the United States for two years. Despite his success as a performer, Doug decided to follow his true passion into the world of directing. Since this professional shift, he has enjoyed much success envisioning and creating shows with groups such as New York’s Blue Hill Troupe, The Village Light Opera Group, the Theatre Barn, and The Mac-Haydn Theatre. Favorite directing credits include: My Fair Lady, The Most Happy Fella, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, High Society, Hello Dolly, The Mystery of Edwin Drood, The Will Rogers Follies, Beauty and the Beast, White Christmas, Sweet Charity, 110 in the Shade, Brigadoon, Gigi, and Fiddler on the Roof.

Before moving to Massachusetts, Doug also completed a semester as an adjunct Professor of Acting and Musical Theatre at New York University. He now lives happily in Sherborn with his wife, Kelly, and their son, Thomas.


Sam Carioti
Director of Business Development

Sam Carioti hails from a small town in Upstate New York (Mexico, NY…yes, it really does exist…oddly enough, right next to the hamlet of Texas). He currently resides in New York City. Sam’s theatrical credits span 19 years (including starring roles in The Will Rogers Follies, Singin’ in the Rain, Damn Yankees, and George M!) and his corporate experience spans a decade. Ten years ago Sam met Doug Hodge while performing on the road. It was then that both men discussed their mutual dream of one day running a theatre company. Based on their collective theatrical experiences of witnessing what worked and what did not work at various theatres, Sam and Doug resolved to wait until the time and location were right, correctly build the theatre from the ground up, and focus on a mentoring program (leveraging their NYC contacts) within a community outreach system. Woodland Theatre Company represents the realization of that dream. Let the journey begin!


Kelly Hodge
Director of Education & Outreach

Originally from Sherborn, MA, Kelly grew up singing constantly and was an active participant in many school theatrical productions. Realizing it was a passion of hers, Kelly pursued a professional musical theatre career in New York City for several years, performing in such shows as High Society, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, The Gondoliers, The Importance of Being Ernest and Kopit/Yeston’s Phantom. In 2003, she made the decision to leave theatre and transition to the world of education. Kelly obtained her master’s degree and landed an elementary music teaching position in Mount Vernon, NY, where she remained happily for five years. After marrying and having a child, however, both she and her husband, Doug, desired a little bit of the suburban lifestyle. They soon moved back to Sherborn (just two houses down from her childhood home) and Kelly now teaches music at Pine Hill Elementary School. Kelly is thrilled to be involved in the creation of Woodland Theatre Company, and is excited to share her love of theatre with the community in which she lives and works.


Patricia Weller
Treasurer

Patricia is the treasurer of Woodland Theatre Company.
As an investor relations professional, she has orchestrated many road shows and is delighted to be part of getting this show on the road. She has an extensive financial background and a CPA but more importantly her motto is FUN.

Patricia lives in Sherborn with her husband and two beautiful daughters.




Brendan Daly
General Counsel

Brendan is the principal counsel for Woodland Theatre Company, responsible for overseeing legal filings and contract negotiations. He has 14 years of experience in the financial services industry, and is looking forward to getting involved with his local theatre. Brendan grew up in the Boston area, and he and his family recently moved to Sherborn, right across the street from Doug and Kelly. He has no theatrical experience, and zero artistic skills, but he is hoping that some of the Hodges’ talents will rub off on his kids.


Joshua Chelmo
Director of Audience Growth

Born in Detroit Lakes, Minnesota, Joshua spent his formative years in Foxboro, Massachusetts. Always loving theater and the arts, he began performing in theatrical productions in the 6th grade and has never looked back. Joshua studied at the University of Massachusetts Amherst earning a Bachelor’s degree in Fine Arts. In 2006, Joshua left the east coast for sunny California to apply his creativity and energy to the entertainment industry. By 2009, he co-produced the documentary, I Want So Much to Live about breast cancer, worked on and appeared in the Lifetime movie, A Christmas Proposal and worked with many production companies on various television projects. His return to the east coast, his true home, has been met with a return to theater. His favorite credits include Into the Woods, Forum, How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying, Seussical, La Cage Aux Folles and Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat – his debut production with the Woodland Theatre Company.


Brian Kelly
Director of Sponsor and Donor Relations

Brian is a Massachusetts native and currently lives in Medway. He earned a PhD in Neuroscience and Behavior from the University of Massachusetts Amherst and is now an Assistant Professor of Cognitive Neuroscience at Fitchburg State University. Through involvement with various community-based organizations, Brian has gained much experience in public relations and fundraising. He hopes that he can contribute to the growing success of Woodland Theatre. In addition to convincing people to open their arms and their wallets to Woodland Theatre, Brian likes to work on and off stage. Some of his previous stage credits include Pseudolus (A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum), Asher (Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat), Moonface Martin (Anything Goes), Baker (Into the Woods), Horton (Seussical), Lycus (Forum) and Eduard Dindon (La Cage Aux Folles). His direction credits include Into the Woods, The Importance of Being Earnest, Sweeney Todd, Snoopy! and Alice in Wonderland Jr.


Chris Brindley
Director of Program Development

A recent graduate of Emerson College with a BA in Acting and Theatre Education, Chris currently serves as the Artistic Director of Belmont High School Performing Arts Company during the year, and spends his summers as Associate Producer and a Director at Weston Drama Workshop in residence at Regis College. He also currently serves as the Secretary on the Executive Council for the Massachusetts Educational Theatre Guild, and freelances throughout the year with the Framingham High School Drama Company. Chris has also served as the Producing Artistic Director of RareWorks Theatre Company at Emerson College, and a Teaching Assistant at the Huntington Theatre Company. Chris enjoys all aspects of the theatre including, acting, directing, producing, and stage management. Favorite directorial credits include: West Side Story, The Chronicles of Jane: Book Seven, James and the Giant Peach, That Was Then…This Is Now, Children of Eden, Wiley and the Hairy Man, Charlotte’s Web and Godspell. Favorite acting credits include: A Funny Thing… , Esperanza Rising, The Hundred Dresses, Bat Boy: The Musical, A Chorus Line, Ragtime, Steel Pier, The Secret Garden, The Crucible, Fiddler on the Roof, and A Midsummer Night’s Dream.