The Gloucester Stage Company was co-founded in 1979 by Geoff Richon, Denny Blodget, and award-winning playwright Israel Horovitz as a “safe harbor for playwrights and new plays”. For its first seven seasons, the company performed at the historic Blackburn Tavern in downtown Gloucester.

In 1987, Gorton’s generously offered GSC a long-term residence in its building in East Gloucester on Smith’s Cove adjacent the galleries and restaurants of Rocky Neck, the oldest art colony in the United States. In 2004, GSC purchased the building from Gorton’s and is currently undertaking a capital campaign to eradicate the mortgage and modernize the facility. During its first twenty seasons, the GSC successfully realized its mission with the production of more than 32 World premieres, 6 American premieres, and 17 New England premieres.

Plays developed at the GSC have gone on to critical and popular acclaim on Broadway, off-Broadway, across the United States, and around the world. The Company has received numerous awards and citations including several Elliot Norton Awards (awarded by The Boston Theater Critic’s Association) for individual productions and performances and a New England Theater Conference Award. Mr Horovitz was honored with Boston’s prestigious Elliot Norton Prize for his work with the GSC.

Mr. Horovitz stepped down as Artistic Director after the 2006 season but continues as a prominent member of the artistic company. In 2007, Eric Engel became the company’s second Artistic Director. Engel previously served two seasons as Producing Director /Associate Artistic Director and three seasons as a guest director.