PORTLAND, Maine — Portland is known for having a vibrant theater scene, and for the past 21 years, Good Theater has contributed to its artistic glow with at least four to seven productions a year.
For over two decades, Good Theater has held residence at the Parish Hall Theater at The Hill Arts on 76 Congress St., formerly known as the Parish Hall Theater at St. Lawrence Arts. But the abutting space is now being transformed into, a 400-seat venue that would alter the typical season for Good Theater.
Brian Allen, a co-founder at the Good Theater, said The Hill Arts told them in 2022 that they would no longer be the theater-in-residence once the new space was complete. Allen said they were offered to continue working in the space during construction, but he said he felt it would be uncomfortable for patrons to attend shows on an active site.
The historic Parish Hall will not be demolished, but instead used as a rehearsal space, for workshops, children's programs, shorter theatrical runs as well as music and film productions according to The Hill Arts Development Director Julia Kirby.
"It was our hope that the Good Theater would use the larger space," Kirby said. [However] it would mean that their runs wouldn’t be as long."
Currently, Good Theater produces up to seven shows a year, and the new space would only allocate time and space for maybe three a year, Kirby said.
"We are designing this space with concert groups throughout the city. We've asked them 'What do you need? What do you want?' "It will be a community space. So of course we want to make sure it is used by a multitude of groups."
Allen said he held out hope they would be able to remain at Parish Hall, but Kirby said the City of Portland has put restrictions on the property and won't allow ticketed events at both venues at present.
"We knew this was a possibility, but it has been such a long journey we thought it might not happen. Now that it is, we find ourselves homeless," Allen said.
Being one of the few professional theaters in Maine, alongside Portland Stage, Ogunquit Playhouse, and Maine State Music Theater, Good Theater was the largest employer of Maine professional actors, Allen said.
Maine native and Good Theater actress Shannon Thurston shared a few words on her experience working with the local theater.
"[Good Theater] brings accessible theatre not only to performers but to the extensive audience demographic," Thurston said. "Good Theatre is a gem that gave me a theatrical home when I felt no one else could see my artistic worth."
Now in the midst of their final production, "A Man of No Importance," Allen said reality is starting to sink in.
"It is very emotional to know that this could be our final production. It is the 100th show I've directed for Good Theater, and it is an extremely special piece to me," he said.
"We did this show in 2005. It is the one show out of the 99 I've done that I wanted to direct again. I've taken a very different approach and I'm so pleased with the end result," Allen enthused. "There are elements of the show that, coincidentally, match what we are currently experiencing. This makes it even more touching."
Maine actor Thomas Ian Campbell who plays Ernie Lally in the production said Good Theater sets the bar high.
"Good Theater really set the standard for what I look for in a professional theater: consistent quality, a professional work environment, and an incredibly welcoming demeanor. Brian and Steve (Good Theater co-founders) are two, great, friendly, easy-going guys that care so much about their artists, and there just isn't another company that makes me feel more at home," Campbell said.
Allen said Good Theater has heard from several patrons, hoping they will find a new place to call home.
"We have the best patrons. They were there for us through COVID and have come back filling the theater to capacity. It is so gratifying to know people care so much, and I'm proud of the body of work we've presented," he said.
What's next?
Allen said he and his co-founder, Stephen Underwood, are exploring all possibilities to keep Good Theater alive, and finding a new venue is the key component.
"We've heard from a couple of places that they don't have room in their schedules for us. Time will tell," Allen said.
Good Theater's final production, "A Man of No Importance," is playing at Parish Hall this month, with its last performance on March 24.
For performance and ticket information, click here.
