NORWAY — Dormant for decades, the future for the second floor of the Norway Opera House just got the boost it needs to propel its long-planned rehabilitation into action.

With Congress’ approval of the federal budget in March came the announcement Norway Downtown and The Norway Opera House Corp. (NOHC) has been hoping for the last two years: a $1.79 million grant that will enable the opera house auditorium’s restoration to transition from engineering and planning to execution of the plan.

The federal grant is included in earmarks advanced by U.S. Sens. Susan Collins and Angus King for the 2024-25 fiscal year. It is part of an overall $9.6 million fund that is spread across six economic and historic preservation projects in Maine.

“This grant request was submitted by Norway Downtown, on behalf of the opera house, a year ago,” explained Scott Berk, president of the economic development organization and vice president for the NOHC, the organization dedicated to its rescue. “We submitted it to both senators, and they both signed on with their support.”

NOHC had applied for an earmark back in 2022 but it was not approved. Then last year, Sen. Collins’ office reached out to NOHC and Norway Downtown about applying again, positioning the request as an economic revitalization project rather than historic preservation.

Based on Collins’ perspective, “we approached it as economic development, which is what it truly is,” Berk said. “It benefits the entire town, with Norway Downtown as the applicant.”

The request is being funded as a Department of Housing and Urban Development initiative. It will be enough for NOHC to structurally repair the building, restore its masonry and replace the roof.

The other five communities included in the earmark are Livermore, Portland, Gardiner, Bangor and Ellsworth.

“We have full, engineer-stamped plans,” he continued. “This should be enough to complete that [work], plus the general life-safety issues of the building. Getting fire-suppression, the right exits installed. What we need to do to get people fully inside the building, update systems including upstairs plumbing, and sound and lighting systems so we can start holding small scale performances and events.”

“Our plan is to use this funding to leverage the building to raise more money. Now that it’s become a reality and people can see [what’s to come], and be excited to contribute additional money toward it.”

NOHC is not waiting for its doors to open to engage the community. It will host a string concert in cooperation with the Norway’s Unitarian Universalist Church in June and second concert at Norway Brewing Company in July. Dates for those two fundraisers have not been finalized.

On August 24, the Street Dance in Longley Square and downtown Norway, a now-annual fundraiser, will be held.

“We are working with our architect, Jake Keeler, to break down the next steps of the project that we will be fundraising for,” said Kelli Shedd, who handles publicity for NOHC. “We will be hold tours by donation once again this summer so we can share the Opera House’s ‘before’ with as many people as possible.

“It truly is a special place for so many generations in our community and we want the renovation to honor the community spirit of long ago when the Norway Opera House was rebuilt the very same year that it had burned.”

Shedd added that NOHC is looking for volunteer docents to lead the tours. Training will be provided.

“If folks are interested in volunteering, make donations, or learn more about our Dusty Stage video series, they should visit our website for more information.”

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