Penobscot Theatre Company
Encyclopedia
Penobscot Theatre Company, America's Northeastern-most professional theatre company, was started in 1973 by George Vafiadis and Lou Collier as the Acadia Repertory Theatre. Penobscot Theatre Company was incorporated as a 501(c)(3) on March 17, 1983. The School For Wives was the first play officially produced by the PTC - before that, Acadia Rep was responsible for presenting 97 productions in Bangor. Acadia Rep still operates on Mount Desert Island
as a separate entity.
George Vafiadis remained Producing Director from 1983 through 1990. Kenneth Stack, currently the Artistic Director
of Acadia Rep, was PTC's Artistic Director from 1983 to 1989.
In 1986 the greater Bangor community helped Penobscot Theatre raise $160,000 for the purchase and initial renovation of the beautiful historic parish house (built in 1888 at 183 Main Street) that it had been renting from the church next door. The Theatre sold the parish house to Merrill Bank in 2004.
Joe Turner Cantu became Artistic Director in 1990 and remained in that position through 1992 when Mark Torres was named Producing Artistic Director and stayed in that position for the next 13 seasons. Under Torres' leadership, the theatre reorganized to operate with paid professionals, tripled the budget and increased attendance to over 15,000 annually. Torres also increased the theatre's activity to include the annual Maine Shakespeare Festival, which performed on the banks of the Penobscot River
for 7 summers.
In 1997, Penobscot Theatre acquired the Bangor Opera House, which now serves as the company's base of operations. The Bangor Opera House, located at 131 Main Street, is the last remaining theatre in downtown Bangor, a community which supported 7 such venues in the first part of the 20th Century. The Opera House was built in 1920 and is an early example of Art Deco/Egyptian Revival architecture.
In 2005, current Producing Artistic Director Scott R.C. Levy was hired to lead the theatre into its fourth decade. Since Levy's arrival, Penobscot Theatre has toured productions throughout the state of Maine, initiated a new play development program which includes a 2-week long New Play Festival, and begun the restoration of the Bangor Opera House, while presenting the two biggest box-office
successes in the theatre's history.
Beyond the theatre's mainstage season, Penobscot Theatre's educational and outreach programming is the largest in the state, serving thousands of Maine students in schools with workshops. The theatre also offers post-show discussions, student matinees and summer theatre workshops.
Mount Desert Island
Mount Desert Island , in Hancock County, Maine, is the largest island off the coast of Maine. With an area of it is the 6th largest island in the contiguous United States. Though it is often claimed to be the third largest island on the eastern seaboard of the United States, it is actually second...
as a separate entity.
George Vafiadis remained Producing Director from 1983 through 1990. Kenneth Stack, currently the Artistic Director
Artistic director
An artistic director is the executive of an arts organization, particularly in a theatre company, that handles the organization's artistic direction. He or she is generally a producer and director, but not in the sense of a mogul, since the organization is generally a non-profit organization...
of Acadia Rep, was PTC's Artistic Director from 1983 to 1989.
In 1986 the greater Bangor community helped Penobscot Theatre raise $160,000 for the purchase and initial renovation of the beautiful historic parish house (built in 1888 at 183 Main Street) that it had been renting from the church next door. The Theatre sold the parish house to Merrill Bank in 2004.
Joe Turner Cantu became Artistic Director in 1990 and remained in that position through 1992 when Mark Torres was named Producing Artistic Director and stayed in that position for the next 13 seasons. Under Torres' leadership, the theatre reorganized to operate with paid professionals, tripled the budget and increased attendance to over 15,000 annually. Torres also increased the theatre's activity to include the annual Maine Shakespeare Festival, which performed on the banks of the Penobscot River
Penobscot River
The Penobscot River is a river in the U.S. state of Maine. Including the river's West Branch and South Branch increases the Penobscot's length to , making it the second longest river system in Maine and the longest entirely in the state. Its drainage basin contains .It arises from four branches...
for 7 summers.
In 2005, current Producing Artistic Director Scott R.C. Levy was hired to lead the theatre into its fourth decade. Since Levy's arrival, Penobscot Theatre has toured productions throughout the state of Maine, initiated a new play development program which includes a 2-week long New Play Festival, and begun the restoration of the Bangor Opera House, while presenting the two biggest box-office
Box office
A box office is a place where tickets are sold to the public for admission to an event. Patrons may perform the transaction at a countertop, through an unblocked hole through a wall or window, or at a wicket....
successes in the theatre's history.
Beyond the theatre's mainstage season, Penobscot Theatre's educational and outreach programming is the largest in the state, serving thousands of Maine students in schools with workshops. The theatre also offers post-show discussions, student matinees and summer theatre workshops.