Penobscot Theatre Company

About the Artist

Penobscot Theatre was founded in 1973 as a summer theatre called Acadia Repertory. The summer program was successful and a winter season was begun in 1974. In 1984, Penobscot Theatre was formally incorporated as a separate not-for-profit, offering a full season of plays, using a permanent company of paid artists. (PT has no current organizational relationship to Acadia Repertory). In 1986, the community rallied, raising $160,000 for the purchase and initial renovation of the beautiful historic building (built in 1888) that it had been renting from the church next door.

In 1992, the theatre hired the fourth artistic director of its over 20-year history, current Producing Artistic Director Mark Torres. Torres reorganized the company to operate with paid professional staff and show-by-show contracts for a mix of New York and out of state actors and directors and local talent.
Under Torres' leadership, the company has experienced tremendous growth. Overall attendance is over 15,000 annually. The budget has more than tripled and staffing has doubled.

In 1997, Penobscot Theatre acquired the Bangor Opera House which, with the sale of the Theatre?s original building in 2004, now acts as the company?s base of operations.

The company's education outreach program is the largest in the state serving thousands of Maine students in schools with Shakespeare workshops each spring. The Theatre also offers post-show discussions, student matinees, and summer theatre workshops.