Maine State Music Theatre (MSMT) is a professional performing arts organization based in Brunswick, Maine. MSMT presents a summer season of four fully staged musicals, a concert series, and a Theatre for Young Audiences series.
History
Early Years (1950s - 1970s)
MSMT began as Brunswick Music Theatre (BMT). Founded by Victoria (Vicki) Crandall, BMT opened in 1959 with a summer production of Song of Norway. In the next decade, playhouses became quite prevalent in New England. BMT was one of the few that exclusively produced musical theatre. In the 1970s, BMT changed to a non-profit organization in order to focus on establishing an intern program that intended to help equip young and emerging theatre artists for their intended industry.[1]
Name Change & Growing Influence (1980s - 1990s)
In 1988, BMT celebrated its 30th anniversary. Governor John R. McKernan presented an award to founder Vicki Crandall, and the organization changed its name to Maine State Music Theatre to reflect that its influence had reached past the Mid-coast region of the state. By this time, the number of professional theaters in New England had been significantly reduced. MSMT was one of the very few remaining musical houses.[1]
Recent Years (2000s - 2020s)
During the late 2000s, as the severity of the housing crisis grew, MSMT was presented with an opportunity to make the Gorham campus of the University of Southern Maine its home base. The Board of Trustees opted to remain in Brunswick, as they were committed to remaining in the birthplace of the organization. This commitment prompted them to purchase the Maine Line Bus Garage at 22 Elm Street. The space was renovated to become a permanent home for MSMT, complete with administrative offices, rehearsal spaces and technical facilities. Performances would still be mounted in the Pickard Theater.
In 2015, MSMT announced a three-year $2 million capital campaign. The purpose of the campaign was multi-faceted:
Fulfilling commitments to the organization’s partner and lessor, Bowdoin College. MSMT paid for replacement of carpeting and seats, as well as upgrades to the hearing system in Pickard Theater.
Providing housing for theatre professionals.
Attending to the repair and maintenance of current properties used for housing, administrative offices, technical shops, and studios.
The COVID-19 pandemic forced MSMT to cancel its previously announced 2020 season, the first time a summer season had been canceled by the organization. MSMT created the Lifeline Fund to offset losses and remain strong and prepared for 2021. Subscribers and patrons, businesses and organizations rallied to support the theatre during this difficult time, preserving the legacy of the organization. Though a 2021 season was announced, the pandemic forced MSMT to cancel all events, other than its production of Jersey Boys. In 2022, MSMT returned for a full summer season.[1]
Notable alumni
Theatre artists who have gone through the MSMT Educational Fellowship Program include:[2]
MSTM has gained recognition for its theater costumes. Maine State Music Theatre launched MSMT Costumes in 2010. This branch of MSMT rents out the original costume packages for previous shows produced by the company. MSMT Costumes also owns and rents out the costumes from the original West End production of Spamalot, designed by Tim Hatley.[3]
References
^ abcmsmt. "History". Maine State Music Theatre. Retrieved 2022-07-12.
^msmt. "Alumni". Maine State Music Theatre. Retrieved 2022-07-12.
