News and Press info
CTM Announces the opening of ODD AT SEA: A Pirate Odyssey
Performances Run from Oct. 6 - Oct. 14
Portland, ME Sep 21, 2007 The Children's Theatre of Maine opens ODD AT SEA: A PIRATE ODYSSEY beginning October 6, and running through October 14. This will be CTM's first production in its collaboration with the Children's Museum of Maine. Performances will be at the museum's home at 142 Free Street in Portland.
Written by Christina Klein, and directed by CTM Artistic Director Reba Short, ODD AT SEA tells the story of Captain Odd and his band of buccaneers on a quest for treasure. During their journey, they meet the familiar characters from Homer's Odyssey: a Cyclops, a hurricane, Sirens, a sea monster, and a mermaid, who all prove to be more helpful to the pirates than they were with tragic Greek heroes!
ODD AT SEA is appropriate for all ages - particularly age 4 through Middle School. Performances are scheduled to be in the museum's Dress Up Theatre, but if weather permits, daytime shows will occur on the life-sized pirate ship behind the museum.
The performance schedule is: Saturday, October 6, 10am, 1pm & 3pm , Sunday October 7, 12pm, 2pm , Friday, October 12, 7pm , Saturday, October 13, 10am, 1pm & 3pm, and Sunday October 14. 12pm, 2pm. Tickets are $5 and reservations can be made by calling Children's Theatre of Maine at 878-2774.
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Children's Theatre of Maine and Children's Museum of Maine Form Partnership
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contact:
Children's Theatre of Maine
Michael P. Bourque
(207) 791-3314 or (207) 749-8815 (cell)
mbourque@memic.com
Children's Theatre to produce a three-show season at the Children's Museum beginning in October
August 21, 2007 - PORTLAND, Maine - The Children's Theatre of Maine and the Children's Museum of Maine have signed an agreement to collaborate to bring a new season of live theater for children to Southern Maine this fall and winter.
The agreement creates a partnership between the two organizations that includes the provision of rehearsal and production space for the Children's Theatre at the Children's Museum on Free Street in Portland. In addition, the two organizations will work together to jointly promote performances and to share other resources at the Children's Museum.
"This partnership provides a wonderful opportunity for the Children's Theatre of Maine but, more importantly, for the children of Maine," said Michael P. Bourque, President of the Children's Theatre Board of Directors. "The Children's Museum and the Children's Theatre share an audience and a dedication to kids, which makes us a perfect fit for each other. The Children's Museum is enabling the Children's Theatre to re-emerge in a creative and inspiring way."
The first show to be held at the Children's Museum of Maine, will open in early October with two other productions planned for December 2007 and early 2008. These are the first productions for the Children's Theatre of Maine since November 2007 when the nonprofit began a reorganization effort driven by its Board of Directors. With the October production, the 84-year-old theatre maintains its reputation as the nation's oldest continuously producing children's theater in the United States.
"The Children's Theatre of Maine has an excellent reputation and a long history of thrilling children with their work," said Suzanne Olson, Executive Director, Children's Museum of Maine. "We are extremely pleased to be working in partnership with them and to host the Children's Theatre's quality productions in our facility. This collaboration offers children in our region an even more robust way to learn, play and grow."
In January, the Children's Theatre of Maine Board of Directors began a process to review its direction after leaving its rented space on Marginal Way in Portland. During the six months that followed, the organization analyzed its position in the community and the potential for the future. After consultation with community members and considering several potential partnerships with nonprofits in the Greater Portland area, a select committee began detailed discussions with the Children's Museum of Maine.
"When the word was out that we were leaving our space on Marginal Way and that we were undergoing reorganization, there was a great outpouring of support and concern for the Children's Theatre," Bourque said. "But among that concern and interest, the most consistent and commonsense approach to partnership, and friendship, was displayed by the leadership at the Children's Museum of Maine. They really understood the needs of our organization and the children we serve."
The Children's Theatre has recently hired two new staff members to direct the new effort. Raymond Dumont will fill the role as managing director while Rebecca Short has been hired as artistic director. Dumont, who also directs the outreach effort for the University of Southern Maine's Theatre Department, is the former managing director of the Maine State Music Theatre in Brunswick. Dumont's experience includes work with the University of Southern Maine's development office. Short returns to the Children's Theatre where she served as instructor in the past. Since then, Short has served in the Peace Corps in Morocco, been an actor, director and teacher at The Theater Project in Brunswick, and has directed outreach and arts projects for the Boothbay Harbor Memorial Library. Both Dumont and Short began work in August.
Auditions for the first production, titled "Odd At Sea: A Pirate Odyssey" will take place at the Children's Museum of Maine at 142 Free Street in Portland on August 30 and 31 from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. Final callbacks will take place September 1 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. For more information, call 878-2774.
About the Children's Theatre of Maine
The Children's Theatre of Maine is the nation's oldest continuously producing children's theatre, dating back to 1923. As a nonprofit 501c3 organization, its mission is to introduce children to the magic of live theater.
About the Children's Museum of Maine
Ranked one of the very best, the Children's Museum of Maine - located in downtown Portland - offers unique Maine exhibits, educational programs and fun for children of all ages. The public is invited to shop in the museum's Explore Store.