Penobscot Theatre Factory's Firehouse Project Nears Complition; Ribon-Cutting Set for 8/24

Penobscot Theatre Company has announced the near completion of its Firehouse Project, a community-fueled effort to turn former Bangor Fire Station #6 into a vibrant theatrical production hub. Renovations at the 4,800-sf facility at 14 Griffin Road, Bangor, are wrapping up and the company is celebrating with a ribbon-cutting, private donor reception, and public open house, Monday, August 24. "Thanks to the extraordinary support of our patrons and theatre-lovers nationwide, we now have the space we need to continue creating great works in the heart of Maine," said Executive Director Mary Budd. "We're excited to throw open the doors and show-off our new scene and costume shops and the region's first drama dorm!"

The theatre has renovated the former fire truck bay to accommodate its scene shop, adding a mezzanine for storing large set pieces and furniture. The adjacent space where Bangor firefighters once rested and awaited calls to duty has been beautifully transformed to provide modern living quarters for three apprentices, recent graduates of post-secondary theatre programs who will work with the company throughout the season.

With the generous support of longtime patron Hope Hutchins Benton, the theatre is proud to unveil The Pink Room in the rear of the building, where costume designs will come to vivid life. "At Hope's parents' home in Bangor," explained Budd, "the Pink Room was a place where imagination could flourish and many adventures were born. In the same spirit, here in our new costume shop, creativity will thrive!"

Planning for the Firehouse Project began last fall and fundraising unfolded in a quiet phase until March 2015, when the theatre closed on the building and launched a public appeal. The theatre initially estimated the total project cost at $284,000, including the building purchase of $225,000, but code requirements drove costs upward approximately $20,000. "While the cost of the project was greater than we'd originally anticipated, so too was the generosity of our community," said Budd. With grant awards, pledges and gifts in hand totaling more than $300,000, the theatre expects to pay-off the project completely by 2017.

Said Producing Artistic Director Bari Newport: "We literally could not produce the seven ambitious plays and musicals we've planned to stage at the Bangor Opera House in the coming year without offsite space to build our sets and costumes and house the young talent we need to support our production team. We are humbled by the community's rapid response - and driven to meet the highest expectations."

The Dead River Company, a longstanding sponsor of the theatre, played a leadership role in backing the project through a $75,000 grant from the family foundation; and the project earned grants as well from the C. Walder Parke Family Foundation, the Maine Theatre Fund, and the Margaret Burnham Charitable Trust. The Bangor law firm of Rudman Winchell led the business community in underwriting the project with a pledge of $15,000. Machias Savings Bank financed the purchase and made a philanthropic gift to help offset the cost of renovation. House Revivers renovated the building and contributed generously to the project, along with Ames Associates, which provided preliminary engineering studies and drawings.

"In addition to our wonderful board," said Budd "hundreds of theatre enthusiasts from coast to coast supported the project with gifts ranging from a handful of change to five-figure contributions. We want to thank them all and show them inside our factory, where we'll be crafting great theatre for years to come."

Media and project donors are invited to a ribbon-cutting ceremony Monday, August 24, at 4:30 pm, at 14 Griffin Road, Bangor, followed by a private building tour and reception. At 6:00 pm, the factory doors will open to the general public and all who wish to see the new space are welcome.