Maskers
at a glance, 1987 - 2009
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.
