Make a Tax-Deductible Donation  |    Contact Us    |    Milbridge Blooms    |           Home

Mail: info@milbridgetheatre.org

Newsletters

Please Donate

Please Donate

How You Can Help

Sign Up to Receive Updates

Please Donate Please Donate How You Can Help Sign Up For Updates

FREE LECTURE
Pamela Cummings:
Underground Railroad in Maine
Friday, March 29th
1:00pm-2:30pm

After detailed input from communities across the area, our largest program has been rebuilding and reopening the Milbridge Theatre as a modern, full-service Theatre and Community Arts Center providing a flexible venue and much-needed community gathering space for performances, cultural arts, educational programming, and film. We operate a newly constructed, seasonal, outdoor stage at the theatre's downtown site, featuring programming free of charge to the public.


The Milbridge Theatre has been a community icon since it was built in 1937.  Area residents relied on the theatre for entertainment and gathering because such opportunities here are few and often a great distance away.  It was one of the few facilities we had for creating a strong sense of community and belonging for area residents of all ages. Generations of our region's youth spent countless weekends of their lives at the theatre engaging in much-needed social and cultural interaction.  Its closure, nearly 4 years ago, left a deep economic void in the center of town and a lack of artistic/cultural opportunities and programming for our community.


When we embarked on this project, we held community meetings and conducted a detailed community survey to gauge interest and objectives in rebuilding and reopening the Milbridge Theatre.  We received numerous responses reflecting overwhelming support to see the theatre reopened and expanded as a full-service Theatre and Community Arts Center offering a wide range of artistic, educational, and entertainment programming.


The new Milbridge Theatre has a broader operational and business scope to include hosting live performances, local talent, historic and art film, educational programs, films, and other community events. Importantly, it provides a venue for the region's youth to develop their artistic and creative interests, gain life and employment skills, and cultivate their sense of civic engagement. In addition to educational and entertainment programming, a main focus of theatre programming will be on youth involvement in theatre, music, and film; and on providing a real theatre space for use by local schools and youth programs.


Rebuilding and reopening the Milbridge Theatre contributes greatly to our economy. It has created professional jobs and skill-building volunteer opportunities. Theatre-goers go out to dinner, buy gas, poke around in the gallery and gift shops, and maybe even spend the night in town and visit nearby communities. With a central gathering place re-established and community activity increased, youth have greater reason to stick around, and young adults from away may be more attracted to move here. Over time, such activity will inspire entrepreneurs to open new businesses, contributing to the growth and vitality of the region.


Phases 1 and 2 (Jan-December 2016) - Raise the initial funds necessary to purchase the existing theatre building/land and cover the cost of insurance, taxes, and legal work. Develop of a professional long term business plan, initiate building design options and continue fundraising.  

Estimated Cost- $72,000 COMPLETED


Phase 3 (January-December 2017) - Remove the structurally unsound portions of the building, retain the Marquee Shoppe piece of the structure, store historic items for preservation, stabilize the site by creating a simple, park-like space, refurbish/reopen the Marquee Shoppe as a mini-museum of the theatre’s history, and build an outdoor stage to be used and enjoyed immediately by the community for outdoor programming/ film while raising money for the new building.  

Estimated Cost- $29,000 COMPLETED


Phases 4-7  Capital Campaign and Construction (2018-2023) - Plan and construct a new facility that can be enhanced and expanded over time.  Includes rebuilding and equipping the structure in a basic manner for use as a year-round, fully climate-controlled, Theatre and Community Arts Center for a wide range of artistic, educational, and entertainment programming.  
Estimated Cost- $690,000 COMPLETED


Phase 8 Facility Enhancement (2023-2024)-  Enhance the new building with advanced stage lighting, updated sound equipment, acoustic tiles, and updated digital projection systems.  
Estimated Cost- $155,000 IN PROCESS


The new 6,000 sq.ft. facility, with seating for more than 210, is the second largest handicap accessible, fully climate-controlled auditorium in Washington County.  The building was designed to be an efficient, easy to maintain, comfortable, year-round facility which can be enhanced over time.  The arts center features a spacious performance hall, full stage, theatre sound/lighting systems, classroom, art gallery, concessions area, and so much more.  It is designed to serve all residents of Milbridge and our surrounding communities and can host a variety of year-round programming including live music, historic/educational film, cultural shows, live theatre, classes, dance, school performances, art exhibits, and children/youth programming.


This process enabled us to have access to a year-round facility as quickly as possible. For the needs of the community, it was the fastest and most economical way to get a year-round, climate-controlled building built and operating.  Now, with a completed, comfortable structure in place, we can move into our next phase as fundraising enables us to enhance the facility with digital projection, full screen, and satellite programming systems.

Project Details