Celebrating the close of its second successful season, MaineStage Shakespeare of Kennebunk held a party Wednesday night for company members, supporters and fans. About 50 people attended the reception held at the Brick Store Museum in Kennebunk village.
The party was organized by the theater company’s community liaison Lisa Crothers, who prepared homemade appetizers and recruited her children and their friends to dress in costume and serve as waiters.
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For the past two years, the theater company has provided free Shakespeare performances every Thursday through Saturday in Lafayette Park. This summer the performances, which concluded on Saturday, featured “As You Like It,” “Othello” and “Love’s Labours Lost.” An average of 80 people attended each show with some of the shows attracting more than 190 audience members.
In addition, the company also runs two concurrent summer camps for aspiring actors and actresses. Last year, 50 students participated in the camps and this year more than 80 kids took part.
During the party, Artistic Director Chiara Klein spoke to the guests about the company’s founding principles. These include recognizing the enriching symbiosis that develops between a theater company and the community, and the belief that live theater is a right, not a privilege.
MaineStage Shakespeare is supported by donations from individuals and local businesses, revenue from the summer camp program and donations given by audience members at the shows.
In preparation for next season, the company is recruiting additional board members and planning a stage expansion. MaineStage Shakespeare intends to announce its 2013 lineup of shows by the December holidays.
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