At the end of last summer, it didn’t look like MaineStage Shakespeare could afford its own growth. After all, bringing a dozen theater majors or recent graduates to the Kennebunks for the summer to perform and teach is no small enterprise.

But the community had come to love free Shakespeare performances outdoors – at Lafayette Park in Kennebunk, the Village Green in Kennebunkport, and the Colony Hotel in Kennebunkport. And about 150 kids a year look forward to ShakeStars daycamp, run by the Kennebunk Recreation Department and led by MaineStage cast members.

Kelli Krebs, left, Kathleen Harriman and John Krebs help keep MaineStage Shakespeare going.

“Sometimes you need to go to the community and say what you need, and if you’re lucky they respond the way you did,” executive director Chiara Klein told the crowd assembled for the fifth season launch party Wednesday night.

“The community really rallied for the company,” said cast member Derek Spaldo, referring to the $25,000 in donations that came in after last season.

This week, more than 150 supporters attended a $20 a person cocktail party at the Colony Hotel, where the drink of the evening was, appropriately enough, the Taming of the Screwdriver.

“We love to support the community, but MaineStage is especially important,” said John Martin, general manager of the Colony Hotel, which hosts free MaineStage Shakespeare performances Wednesday nights through Aug. 19.

This summer’s plays are “Julius Caesar” and “Twelfth Night.”

“I brought my granddaughter, and the kids enjoy it,” said Marybeth Munroe, representing Camden National Bank, a gold sponsor. “It’s a family thing.”

“We come a few times to the same show in the summer to see how they do it at the beginning of the season and how they do it at the end of the season,” said Bill Huston of Kennebunk.

But performing is only half of the MaineStage mission, which is also about teaching and mentoring local youths – who perform on Saturdays.

“My son participated in the camp last year,” said Lauren Phipps from sponsor Dietz Associates. “He’s kind of a shy kid but got into it and was very theatrical, projected well, and did an amazing job.”

“We have some kids that have little shrines on their bedroom walls with all their posters and brochures,” said Jay Ben Markson, associate artistic director. “They look forward to this all year.”

Julie Allaire of Kennebunk said her kids have been going to ShakeStars for four years. “It’s their favorite summer activity,” she said.

“I live behind the stage, so I see the rehearsals and everything,” said Tillman Marshall of Kennebunk. “It’s a lot of fun. I sit out on my side porch and listen to them practice.”

Visit mainestageshakespeare.com for a performance schedule.

Amy Paradysz is a freelance writer based in Scarborough. She can be contacted at:

amyparadysz@gmail.com

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