Setting Up Acorn's New Studio Space

Acorn Productions is embarking on an exciting new phase in our company’s history, and we are looking for a little support to assist us in implementing these changes.

Acorn has spent the last 19 years training actors, collaborating with other non-profits to bring historic spaces into new uses, and building community between artists and theater producers.  We have stimulated the creation of hundreds of new plays through the Maine Playwrights Festival and introduced dozens of actors to the joys of speaking Shakespeare’s language in performance.  As part of our work, we helped to build the Parish Hall Theater at the St. Lawrence and more recently assisted in renovating and re-opening Mechanics Hall in downtown Portland for public use. 

We are pleased to announce that Acorn Productions has recently signed a three-year lease for a new studio space at 528 Main Street in South Portland.  Over the past two years, offerings at our Acorn Acting Academy have expanded to the point that we have outgrown the classroom at Mechanics Hall.  Renting our own space will provide us with the opportunity to offer even more programming for the community, including the re-introduction of classes for children and teens, along with the chance to partner with other theater companies in need of rehearsal space.

We are asking for your financial assistance with this next step in the company’s development.  Funds are needed to purchase equipment for the space as well as physical improvements to the Studio which include opening up a wall between the two spaces to provide for a much bigger room for classes and showcases. Since Acorn Productions is a 501(c)3 organization, all donations are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law.

The new Acorn Studio space will benefit our company in many ways.  First of all, by providing regular office hours and a dedicated business phone line, Acorn Productions will once again become a visible presence in our community. The increased availability of the space will provide us with the flexibility to schedule more free events for the community, including intro to acting workshops, dramatic readings of new plays, and improv comedy jam nights.  We will also be able to greatly increase the quantity of our class offerings by adding more short specialty workshops and mini-classes.  Lastly, the space will be available for use by other theater companies at an extremely affordable rate, addressing the need for affordable rehearsal space in our community. But we can't do any of this without a little help to get started.

Thank in you in advance for your support for our new home in South Portland!