LEWISTON – The Public Theatre has received a $5,000 grant from the Maine Theater Fund of the Maine Community Foundation to be applied toward its four-phase $2.4 million renovation of the theatre facility.

The Public Theatre has already completed two phases of the renovation and recently unveiled a reconfigured lobby box office, concession area and new restrooms.

The foundation grant will be applied to Phase III of the renovation, which includes extensive work to the exterior of the building, stage and backstage areas. The theater has raised more than $1 million to date, with an additional $400,000 needed to begin Phase III on schedule by June.

The Maine Theatre Fund was established in 2005 in recognition of the connection between communities and support for the arts.

“The state of Maine is very fortunate to have this fund that recognizes the role of the arts as the economic building blocks for our state. We are quite honored to be chosen as one of the fund’s first grant recipients,” said Christopher Schario, artistic director for the Public Theatre.

“This grant will help us to transform the Public Theatre facility into a venue that will allow our loyal patrons to experience live professional theatre in a more beautiful and comfortable setting.”

A statewide organization with offices in Ellsworth and Portland, the Maine Community Foundation works in partnership with donors and community groups to strengthen Maine.

For more information, visit the foundation’s Website at www.mainecf.org or call toll-free 1-877-700-6800. For more information on the theater or to inquire about upcoming productions, call 782-2211 or visit www.thepublictheatre.org.

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