Specialties
The Public Theatre specializes in producing high quality professional theatre at a very affordable price. Only at The Public Theatre will you find the best plays from Broadway and Off-Broadway, as well as exciting new scripts, featuring professional Equity actors from NY to LA, for a top ticket price of only $20! Anyone 18 and under can attend any show for only $5.
History
Established in 1991.
The Public Theatre was founded in 1991 as LA Public Theatre, Inc., by a visionary group of citizens, dedicated to bringing professional theatre to Central Maine, an area with limited cultural outlets and opportunities. Since 1991, our season has increased from two shows in borrowed space to up to seven productions in our own theatre, which we purchased in 1999.
Our seasonal audience has grown from 1,200 in 1991-1992 to over 16,000. In 27 seasons over 100,000 students have attended our Student Matinee performances. We have kept our ticket prices ($20 Adult / $17 Group / $5 Youth) affordable to make our performances accessible to everyone in the community.
For the past 27 years, The Public Theatre has produced uplifting and provocative theatre, with professional Equity actors, every October through May. Nationally recognized for its artistic excellence, we are proud to be a cornerstone in the cultural life of Central Maine.
Meet the Manager: Christopher S.
Christopher Schario has been Producing Artistic Director of The Public Theatre since 1993. His adaptation of Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol, published by Dramatists Play Service of New York in 1996, was developed for The Public Theatre and has enjoyed successful productions at professional and amateur theatres throughout the world. He has been Associate Artistic Director of Boulder Ensemble Theatre and Artistic / Executive Director of Rochester Civic Theatre in Rochester, MN. He has Directed Productions in New York at the Roundabout Theatre Ensemble, Westbeth Theatre Center, Spectrum Stage, American Academy of Dramatic Arts, the Drama Project and Madison Avenue Theatre, as well as at many Regional theatres. He has taught at Carnegie - Mellon University, Univ. of Colorado, Univ. of Tennessee, American Academy of Dramatic Arts, as well as privately in New York City. He received a BFA in Acting from Ohio University and an MFA in Directing from Carnegie - Mellon University.