Anonymous donor gives $200K to support 20 Maine theaters during pandemic
COURTESY / Opera House Arts
Opera House Arts in Stonington was one of 20 performing arts centers to receive funding established by an anonymous donor.
An anonymous donor has contributed $200,000 through the Maine Community Foundation to help 20 community theaters across the state stay afloat during the pandemic.
The gift funded general support grants to local drama groups and venues from Biddeford to Presque Isle. The foundation did not disclose specific amounts or background about the donor in a news release Monday.
The Ellsworth-based charitable organization has been working with donors to fund emergency responses to COVID-19, as well as initiatives to build community resilience.
“In this case, an anonymous donor has chosen to shine a spotlight on smaller community theaters and how they are a critical part of a community’s identity and creative spirit,” said Maine Community Foundation President and CEO Steve Rowe. “We are grateful for the donor’s generosity and vision.”
The recipients include Brooksville's Bagaduce Theater, which canceled its summer season of four plays and laid off its administrative staff and a company of actors who were to begin rehearsals in May. However, the theater has held a series of staged readings that followed social distancing and safety protocols.
Another recipient, South Paris-based Celebration Barn, canceled its existing summer programming due to COVID-19. The theater was able to maintain two part-time staff members and design new summer programming, including outdoor performances, online performance training and circus arts theater classes for children.
Wintergreen Arts Center, in Presque Isle, is also receiving funds from the anonymous gift. The center had discontinued its children’s arts program and replaced it with free online arts education resources for families. The center has seven paid positions and is moving to new space at the Aroostook Centre Mall, where staff hope to hold some performance training.
The complete list of award recipient is here:
- Bagaduce Theatre, Brooksville
- Belfast Maskers
- Celebration Barn Theater, South Paris
- Center Theatre Inc., Dover-Foxcroft
- City Theatre, Biddeford
- Deertrees Theatre Limited, Harrison
- Denmark Arts Center
- Eastport Arts Center
- The Grand Auditorium, Ellsworth
- LA Public Theatre, Lewiston
- Lakewood Theatre, Madison
- Lincoln Theater, Damariscotta
- New Surry Repertory Theatre and Acting School, Blue Hill
- Opera House Arts, Stonington
- Rangeley Friends of the Performing Arts
- Saco River Theater, Bar Mills
- Schoodic Arts for All, Winter Harbor
- The Theater at Monmouth
- Waterville Creates!
- Wintergreen Arts Center, Presque Isle.
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