About Us

Deep Roots.

The Groove/Factory is led by a team of trained theatre professionals and working artists—most with theatre arts degrees and deep roots on Maryland’s Eastern Shore—who bring real-world creative expertise to every production, educational program, and community partnership. Grounded in tradition but constantly evolving, we are committed to building innovative, inclusive arts experiences that both reflect and elevate the culture of our region.

As a female-founded and led organization, we are equally dedicated to expanding opportunities for women in artistic and technical fields while fostering a more representative creative community.

Our Mission.

The Groove/Factory is dedicated to producing high-quality, accessible theatre for audiences of all ages on the Eastern Shore while telling bold, engaging stories that inspire curiosity, reflection, and a deeper understanding of the world. We cultivate a professional, safe, and inclusive environment where artists and staff are supported, fairly compensated, and empowered to do their best work. Through community engagement, education, and shared resources—including rehearsal space, costumes, sets, and professional mentorship—we provide opportunities for artists of all ages to learn, collaborate, and grow, elevating the artistic discourse and creative life of the Eastern Shore community.

Today, we stand as a fully realized production company that does groundbreaking, professional work inside the frame of community theatre.

We are a fiscal fund under the umbrella of the Midshore Community Foundation as a 501c3.
For more information and/or pro forma financials:

Our Vision.

"Art lives through the imaginations of the people who are seeing it. Without that contact, there is no art. It has become increasingly clear to me that art is not an elitist activity reserved for the appreciation of a few, but for everyone, and that is the end toward which I will continue to work."

- Keith Harring

This philosophy resonates deeply with every member of The Groove/Factory. This work is vibrant, vital, and deeply connected to the people and place we live. Theatre changes lives. It changed ours. In community theatre we find our voices, tell our stories, and create space for others to do the same. It’s more than entertainment; it’s an act of civic engagement. By giving our friends and neighbors a stage—literally—we offer them a powerful outlet for self-expression, healing, and joy. That’s how communities grow stronger: not from the top down, but from the inside out.

Our productions are bold, intelligent, unflinching, and consistently powerful. We are fearless in the stories we tell and the ways they we them. We’ll continue to champion work that matters—work that challenges, that offers catharsis, that provokes, and transforms. We will continue to develop theatrical and film productions that thoughtfully engage with contemporary issues, through the unique perspectives and experiences of our local community.

We made it official.

The Factory is led by a Board of Directors, consisting of individuals with expertise in theater education, non-profit management, and fundraising. The day-to-day operations of the organization are run by the Executive Director and a robust roster of volunteers.

Board Officers

Casey Rauch

President

Katie Cox

Vice President

Jennifer Madino

Secretary

Jaime Windon

Treasurer

Our Fearless Leader

Meet our Creative Director, Cecile Storm.

Cecile has her BA in Contemporary Theatre and Film from East 15 Acting School in London, England and over 20 years experience in both the professional and community theatre worlds.

She is an accomplished photographer, filmmaker, director, theatre practitioner, and momma of three with deep roots on the Eastern Shore.