New Acorn Studio Theater Is Now Completed, New Space Avaliable For Rental

Acorn Productions announces that the first phase of the renovations of the new Acorn Studio Theater have been completed, and the new space is available for rental by any member of the arts community. The new space features a modular 20 foot by 12 foot stage capable of being reoriented into several different configurations.

Seating is also flexible, consisting of 50 lightweight molded plastic chairs. The theater currently hosts Acorn's "Second Friday Series" of dramatic readings of new plays by local playwrights, as well as acting classes for kids and adults. Acorn created the theater in hopes that other performing artists and performing arts groups would rent the space in order to showcase new works in progress or other types of productions that need a small, flexible space for a one-night event. The rental fee for the space is $100 a night.

These renovations were made possible by the Edward H. Daveis Benevolent Fund, administered by the Maine Community Foundation. The theater contains simple lighting and no seating platforms as those improvements are part of phase two of the renovations, slated to take place in the fall after more fundraising has taken place. The Acorn Studio Theater is located in the Dana Warp Mill at 90 Bridge St. in Westbrook. The 10 year-old company moved into the mill in September of 2006 and already operates a rental studio that is home to Vivid Motion Dance Company and the Maine Academy of Staged Combat, along with a number of other companies and artists who rent the space by the hour.

Acorn Productions mission is to invigorate the community of performing artists in Southern Maine. Acorn seeks to nurture new performance pieces, develop artist collaborations, train new talent, and make the arts accessible to a wide spectrum of the general public. Acorn accomplishes these goals by mounting annual festivals that are open to a variety of artists as well as professional performances by local actors in both traditional and non-traditional venues. Ticket prices for these performances are maintained at an affordable level in order to lower economic barriers for potential audience members. Acorn also offers educational programs, including acting classes and workshops, and offers fiscal sponsorships to grassroots organizations or individual artists seeking to become more active members of the performing arts community.