A lengthy but 93% worthwhile update from Steve

We have sort of been given the green light to open our doors, obviously with a number of safety guidelines and procedures to put in place. Rest assured we are working diligently towards meeting all of these requirements - in fact surpassing most of them in our effort to provide you with the safest, cleanest, and most socially responsible venue to enjoy a night of laughter.

Unfortunately given some of the newest requirements by the state for venues such as ours it renders us somewhat stymied as to how best proceed and effectivley provide you with the product we're in the businees of making. And because of this we have made the very difficult decision to remain closed for now as we spend the majority of this month prepping the space and continuing to monitor the ever changing havoc this virus is wreaking. We, like you, hope the infectious numbers go down, and the public gathering safety guildelines to hopefully soften, and then we could get back to making funny business the way we do.

Despite nearly 90% of our survey respondents saying you’d be comfortable coming to a show in July, currently 40 states are experiencing a spike in the COVID-19 infections. The last thing we want to do is ignore the new safety guidleines and open too early. We figure we’ve been closed this long, and while full rent continues to be due, the responsible thing in our opinion is to wait a little bit longer, choosing safety over profits. Well, “profits” might be a bit of a stretch…but I digress. And while there are only 15 people in the entire state currently in the hospital with COVID-19 as I write this, that is more than double the number just a mere week prior, and it would make us very sad to learn one of our wonderful patrons or performers or staff members contracted this nasty booger after spending an evening with us.

And yes, when we do finally reopen we’ll be requiring everyone to wear a mask. You can wear your own or we’ll provide one for you, and the great thing is, you won’t be asked to share. And please, don’t come here saying, “I don’t need to wear one of these, you’re infringing on my rights.” If that’s your plan, just stay home and be a lyin' dog-faced pony soldier. Don’t make the rest of us uncomfortable with your decision. Honestly, I don’t want to wear these either. This is actually why I didn't attend medical school to become a doctor; that, and I don’t look good in scrubs - if you can imagine that. But you know with something like this it’s not about what I want, or what you want; it’s really about the greater good for all, and that good right now is to wear one of these ugly uncomfortable face covers. Hopefully if we’re able to tuck this virus away successfully we can see everybody’s smiling face sooner rather than later.

As mentioned before, though we’ve been closed since mid-March, full rent is still due, and it’s actually going up on us this month. (Just keep that in mind if you’re looking for an apartment or place to locate your business downtown.) We’ve gotten a great response and show of support from many of you who have been to our shows. And soon we’ll be starting a GoFundMe page to help us offset the incredible amount of rent and other mounting expenses during this time that no revenue is coming in. If we can reach our financial needs through our Contribution and/or GoFundMe links, we most certainly will be able to reopen. If not, well, I may have to sell my other kidney; and I’ve been told you really want to hold onto at least one, so that could prove problematic, but why bore you with my problems?

So that’s the latest from here. We’re about to send out our very first e-musesletter, we’re calling The Humor Rumor. If you’d like to receive a copy of this very first historic piece of informational heaven, all you need to do is send in a contribution of any amount, either through our Contribution link or our GoFundMe page. We’ll be sending out this e-museletter sometime in late July, once we have a better idea of what we'll be doing. And speaking of July…as you know my birthday is the 14th of July, yes Bastille Day. And while the Steve Birthday Parade and Statue Rededication has been cancelled this year you can still give the greatest gift of all, just after steak knives, and that’s a contribution to Maine Rep in honor of my special day. You know what that is? That’s love.

Thanks for your anticipated financial assistance, and thank you to those who have already helped and continue to. We are forever grateful and we look forward to making you laugh in the very near future.

Stay safe and check back here often for updates as conditions warrant. Until then, call someone you haven’t spoken to in a while, tell them you love them, even if maybe you don’t.

Godspeed,

Steve

MAINE REPERTORY THEATER, LLC

Welcome to the Maine Repertory Theater website. We’re glad you stopped in, if even for just a bit.

Founded in 2018 by Steve Burnette and David Hanright Maine Repertory Theater is home to the region’s newest production company and performance venue. Located in the Pepperell Mill in the heart of downtown Biddeford, Maine Rep is an intimate sixty-seat theater presenting a variety of entertaining, thought-provoking, typically light-hearted productions; including improv, sketch comedy, mystery dinner theater, original radio shows, trivia nights, game shows, comedy festivals, published works, special events, and the occasional world premiere of an original script.

We also serve freshly popped popcorn, candy, soda, wine, and craft and domestic beers.

Maine Rep is also a performing arts organization dedicated to helping non-profits and others in need in our community, providing a number of benefit performances for various causes and individuals while also raising over one ton of food for the local food pantries through our Legacy Project's United We Weigh Foodraising Campaign.

The CHAMBER of COMEDY

What’s a show by The Chamber of Comedy about? Your guess is as good as ours as the area’s top improv comedy performers present a two-act evening of jaw-dropping, knee-slapping, beverage-spurting-through your nose original comedy, based on suggestions by you, our mostly lovely audience. Five or six of our ensemble of thirteen improv comedy masters perform on any given night, and since no two casts are ever alike, and no two audiences are ever alike, no two shows are ever alike, and that’s great, especially if our previous show stunk like a wet towel hidden under the front seat of a hot Buick in August.

With The Chamber of Comedy, every night is opening night! Most public performances are Saturday nights at 8:00 PM, but beginning in May of 2020 we will offer a Family Friendly show on Saturday nights at 6:30, followed by another performance at 8:30.

The Chamber of Customized Comedy

The Chamber of Customized Comedy is a unique and exciting entertainment option, reaching out to corporations, fraternal organizations, small businesses, wedding parties, and non-profits for private, sold-house performances.

Ideal for any small-to-midsize group or organization looking for a fresh alternative to thank your fellow industry professionals, employees, their families, your potential customers, or those just looking for an outside the box evening of laughter for sixty of their closest friends. Come to think of it, we're not such a bad idea for hosting your next fundraiser too.

THE LEGACY PROJECT

We encourage our patrons attending any performance to bring with them a donation of non-perishable food items. At the end of each month we will deliver your donations to Seeds of Hope, right here in Biddeford. This program we like to call our United We Weigh Foodraising Campaign. Because of your generosity, Maine Rep collected and delivered over one ton of food in 2019 between the Biddeford Food Pantry and Saco Food Pantry.

LAUGH You, Comedy Academy

Ever wanted to try your hand at improv comedy?

Looking for a class that can help with your shyness or public awkwardness?

Tired of reading these questions in italics?

LAUGH You is an affordable school for improv and sketch comedy creation and performance taught exclusively at Maine Rep.

Ninety-minute workshops are offered to three age groups, 7th and 8th graders, high school students, and adults. These small size groups will meet once a week for six weeks, then if interested and if requirements have been met students will have the option to advance to the next level after a brief break.

LAUGH You Student Progress Performance Nights for invited friends and family are offered following the completion of level two and level four, with a public performance presented at the completion of the entire program.

Given the current COVID-19 Virus outbreak we are reassessing when we will be offering our next session of classes. Please visit this section often or drop us an email requesting schedule updates as we have them available.

MAINE REPERTORY THEATER

MAINE REPERTORY THEATER

A lengthy but 93% worthwhile update from Steve

GOT CASH?

Next CHAMBER OF COMEDY Show (#95)...you're guess is as good as ours.