Maskers at a glance, 1987 – 2010

History In 1987, a group of Belfast thespians got together and, under the direction of Basil Burwell, produced their first play and adopted the name “Belfast Maskers”. Within a year the group was incorporated as a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Its mission was, and continues to be, to provide a wide range of high quality theater experiences with, and for, the community.In the first years Maskers performed in a variety of spaces such as the (old) Abbott Room and the then unused Crosby School (now the home of NTWH). In 1992 Maskers settled into their own, though rented, space. Out of the former railroad terminal and warehouse on the waterfront, Maskers created an intimate theater.

Offerings In a typical year, the Maskers stage seven productions. Maskers also invites (for a minimal fee) other performing groups to use the space. Because education and involvement of all ages has always been a priority, each year Maskers offers workshops in different aspects of theater. In addition, the Roots and Branches program , and a two-week summer camp for younger children (minimal fee thanks to sponsorship).

Financial By the year 2000, Maskers had grown into a substantial organization. It had become impossible to find an artistic director who would do what had become a full-time job without a salary. Because of this need, a drive was begun to raise $500,000 for an endowment fund. Although the fund is only slightly more than half way to its goal, it helps pay a small salary to an artistic director/house manager.Roughly 45 percent of total income comes from tickets sales. The remaining 55 percent comes in part from the endowment fund (approximately $10,000 annually), from fund-raising events, and from personal and business contributions.

Personnel Maskers is fortunate to have had Aynne Ames as artistic director and house manager since 2004. She has been a teacher and theater director all of her adult life, abroad as well as in Maine, and has directed in New York and Maine.Over the course of our 20 years, over 1,000 different individuals from the community have worked as volunteers. On average it takes 55 volunteers for the run of each production.

2007 – Maskers 20th Anniversary Our 2007 summer production of a musical version of “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” was a huge success in all areas. So much so that it is constantly being referred to as a “magical evening”. The overwhelming response to that production has encouraged us to continue with another outside production at Steamboat Landing Park. In late July and early August, Maskers produced the Rodgers and Hammerstein musical “Carousel” named by theater critics as “the best musical of the 20th century” -and it was our most successful show and season ever. In 2008 we are planning on continuing this tradition with the Oliver! performed in the same location.