Our Mission
Our mission is to offer meaningful theatrical experiences that resonate with young adults and adults alike. Through performances, workshops, and readings, we aim to inspire audiences, foster artistic creativity, and cultivate a love of storytelling. We provide a safe and supportive space for young actors and crew to grow in their craft, including the life-changing opportunity to perform at the Fringe Festival in Scotland. By working collaboratively with local artists and guest artists from beyond our island, we strengthen our cultural community and expand creative connections.
Theatre on the Blue is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.
a shared vision
A mother and daughter team with a dream to create more theater.
Heather Capece has been directing plays on Martha’s Vineyard since 2000. She enjoys incorporating visuals through shadow puppetry and puppeteering. With a focus on sustainability, she sews costumes by sourcing items from the Dumptic, thrift stores, and upcycling, and hand sewing with added hand stitching. In the shows, she loves to integrate dance and music to bring the show and characters to life. Heather actively involves her students in the creative process, teaching them about all aspects of producing a performance for an audience.
Future Goals:
– An adult show with guest directors
– An adult-and-teen show with younger actors featured
– Teen productions lead by teens
– Workshops and events as island writers new scripts
– And so much more—there is so much possibility; we just need donors and grants to help make it happen.
Thank your believing in my vision and the arts. - Heather
A Little Background
In 2022, I was accepted into AHSTF/WorldStrides as a director, bringing teens to perform at the Fringe Festival along with 24 other teen programs across the U.S., Canada, and the U.K. We brought students to Scotland to perform in the Fringe Festival, which was an incredible experience.
Spring of 2025, one of my goals was to have teens take on the roles of producing a show. Nicola rewrote a new version of Little Women, helped direct, and we created her vision for the set, lighting, and shadows. The other teens took on crew roles, learning every part of the production process.
Fall of 2025, I received a grant to produce and direct a community show highlighting adult professionals working alongside teens and younger actors. It was beautiful to see our talented islanders collaborate to bring Narnia to life.
Next, we received exclusive rights from Middle-Earth Enterprise in the UK to perform The Hobbit in the U.K. at the Fringe Festival with our Teen Program. We will be going again with AHSTF/WorldStrides, along with 32 other teen groups. The students will travel to London, have a workshop at the Globe Theatre, and perform The Hobbit four times off the Royal Mile. We are truly honored to bring Tolkien’s adventure to Scotland.
This year, we started The Theatre on the Blue “Shine Bright” Scholarship, in honor of Riley I. Cameron, celebrates a student whose light continues to inspire our community. Riley was a dedicated member of the MVPCS theater department, where he shared his creativity, talent, and adventurous spirit. He brought energy, kindness, and collaboration to every production, leaving a lasting impact on those around him. This scholarship honors Riley’s legacy by supporting a graduating student who plans to pursue studies in theatre arts. The selected recipient will reflect the values that Riley embodied, creativity, collaboration, problem-solving, and the ability to uplift and inspire others. Our 2026 recipient was Nicola, as she has shined very so bright and we can’t wait to see what she does in college with her studies of Script Writing, Directing and Acting at Swarthmore.
At Theatre on the Blue, we believe theater is more than performance, it is connection, teamwork, and the shared courage to support one another and shine together.
Board Members
Theatre on the Blue Leadership & Board
Theatre on the Blue is guided by a dedicated board and team of artists, educators, business leaders, and community members who share a commitment to creating meaningful theatrical experiences and opportunities for young performers.
Heather A. Robbins Capece
Founder & CEO | Artistic Director
Heather A. Robbins Capece is the founder and CEO of Theatre on the Blue and has dedicated more than two decades to theater education, directing, and the arts. She has been a Drama Teacher at Martha’s Vineyard Public Charter School since 2000 and has directed more than 27 theatrical productions.
With a background in professional theater and experience living and working in Los Angeles, Heather brings extensive experience as a director, actor, photographer, visual artist, set designer, and educator. Her passion is creating inclusive, collaborative spaces where young people can discover their voices, develop confidence, and experience the transformative power of theater.
Jill Kunkel
Board Member | Business Manager & Fundraising
Jill Kunkel brings experience in nonprofit fundraising, organization, and community engagement to Theatre on the Blue. A dedicated supporter of the arts and one of the organization's biggest cheerleaders, Jill helps strengthen the organization's fundraising efforts and business operations while enthusiastically supporting performers both on and off the stage.
Alex Taylor
Board Member | Hospitality & Community Engagement
Alex Taylor is the owner of the Outermost Inn and brings extensive experience in hospitality, business leadership, and community engagement to Theatre on the Blue. Alex's connection to the Island community and commitment to supporting local organizations help strengthen Theatre on the Blue's presence within the Martha's Vineyard community.
Tina Humber-Floyd
Board Member | Programming & Community Engagement
Tina Humber-Floyd serves as Director of Programming at the Chappy Beach Club. With experience in programming, events, and community engagement, Tina brings a valuable perspective to Theatre on the Blue and supports the organization's mission to provide meaningful artistic opportunities for young people.
Meaghan Patricia
Secretary | Board Member | Local Artist
Meaghan Patricia is a local pottery artist whose creativity and connection to the Island arts community enrich Theatre on the Blue. As Secretary of the organization, Meaghan helps support the board's organizational and administrative work while bringing an artist's perspective to the development of the organization.
Lianna Loughman
Board Member | Performer & Arts Advocate
Lianna Loughman is a SAG member, dancer, and actress with a passion for performance and the arts. Her professional experience as a performer brings valuable insight into the creative and performance aspects of Theatre on the Blue and its work with young artists.
Nicola Capece
Nicola Capece
Co-Founder | Youth Representative & Alumni Artist | Writer, Actress & Director
Nicola Capece is a co-founder of Theatre on the Blue and a student at Swarthmore College, where she continues to develop her work as a writer, actress, and director. A longtime member of the Theatre on the Blue community, Nicola has grown from a young performer into an accomplished international theater artist and an important part of the organization's creative foundation.
Nicola was the 2026 recipient of the Riley I. Cameron Shine Bright Award, established to honor graduating students pursuing theater arts. Her international performance experience includes playing Peter in Quest to Save Neverland at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe in 2023 and Thorin in The Hobbit at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe in 2026.
As a co-founder and young artist, Nicola brings the perspective of the students Theatre on the Blue serves. Her continued involvement reflects the organization's commitment to nurturing young performers not only during their time with Theatre on the Blue, but as they grow into artists, leaders, writers, directors, and creative professionals.
Trustees
Joe Capece, Set Builder
Jonah Maidoff, SAG Member, Script Writer, Director, Actor