Reindeer Theatre Company:

 

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REINDEER THEATRE COMPANY produced its first production in 1993 and since then this small children’s and community theater group has maintained an aggressive schedule of a wide array of musicals, revues, comedies, children’s shows, original plays, old time radio presentations and musical tributes (click here to check out RTC’s complete production history).

RTC first operated out of the Warren Memorial Library in Westbrook, and then made a move to “intown” Portland, holding its shows at the intimate Reindeer Pointe venue at Woodford’s Corner, or renting various halls for larger shows. A later residency with Arts Conservatory Theater & Studio (ACTS) lasted four years until 2000 when RTC branched off on its journey to find its own performing “home.”

The first site review led us on a year-long negotiation process with the City of Biddeford. After numerous presentations to the City Council, a myriad of meetings with city officials, RTC’s Steering Committee still could obtain any specific information for a building that was advertised “For Sale/Lease.” When we finally realized that the City of Biddeford was simply too politically-infested to embrace the arts and provide a positive creative environment, RTC abandoned its efforts for the Biddeford site. Interestingly enough, within days the City announced that the building in question was sold to a minority church group for $50,000.

In 2001 and 2002, RTC explored various sites to no avail. In 2003, Reindeer got hooked up with a group from Gorham forming an arts collaborative that planned to lease a building in downtown Gorham, owned by the First Parish Church and previously used as a daycare center by the University of Southern Maine. Months of planning sessions resulted in Reindeer being considered as the anchor tenant. It then boiled down to an exciting deal made directly with the Church that would allow Reindeer to use the space as a performing arts venue. By June of 2003, after the Church had several meetings with Town officials, Reindeer was given the approval—and keys—to begin our occupancy….THE REINDEER ROOM was born.

Reindeer immediately launched an extensive fundraising campaign while holding some small fundraising events in the space. An aggressive schedule for Fall/Winter was planned, along with a full slate of Reindeer PAK (Performing Arts for Kids) workshops, and numerous community awareness programs. Reindeer was on the verge of great accomplishment, with all engines running full-steam ahead.

In August, however, the town’s Code Enforcement Officer shut us down, on the morning of a show. They claimed they had told the Church that a site plan review needed to be submitted and approved. The Church told us that they indeed had met with the Town and all was set. Not new to being in the middle of political wrangling, Reindeer fell prey once again.

Hope that the Church’s Board of Trustees would indeed work things out with the Town as they had said was short-lived. In October, after almost two months of little-to-no communication with the Board, Reindeer again abandoned its efforts for the Gorham space. All we wanted was our money back, after being given expressed approval by the Pastor, Reverend David Butler, for our plans. That reasonable request was denied, with Rev. Butler’s shocking claim that there was never an agreement with Reindeer.

Reindeer’s Corporate Attorney Daniel A. D’Auteuil Jr., of Isaacson and Raymond, was called to duty. To avoid a potentially costly and embarassing Superior Court lawsuit for unspecified damages, the Church—upon their legal counsel—agreed to reimburse Reindeer for actual expenses lost, and bring closure to an ordeal that lasted 15 months.

And so Reindeer resumed the journey in search of a home…until fate again stepped into its path near the end of 2006. An email circulating among folks in Maine's theater circles about the Warren Memorial Library's Kids drama group looking for a new director made its way to Reindeer's inbox. It was good to see that the original Reindeer PAK (Performing Arts for Kids) Program that Reindeer launched at the Library was still going strong (with a name change when Reindeer left the Library in 1994).

Of particular interest was the Library's hope to have their newly renovated facility used by community groups. A proposal for Reindeer's use of the auditorium as a home, at least for a year, was approved in mid-January. A one-year lease was negotiated shortly thereafter and auditions for RTC's first show was held on March 21st.

By the end of 2007, RTC’s popularity was growing, audience base was expanding and turnout for auditions was increasing.  It was clear that Reindeer Theatre Company was offering a very viable and accessible alternative to the local children’s and community theater fare, and that many folks were happy about that, particularly our neighborhood friends from Westbrook.

Reindeer maintains a very active production schedule at Warren Memorial Library.  We look forward to working with local actors, young and old, as we continue to provide mainstream family entertainment to the public.

And finally, for all you playwrights and authors, we are always open to original play ideas.

GENERAL INFO: 

RTC Shows are presented in the upstairs auditorium of the Warren Memorial Library, 479 Main St., Westbrook. The facility offers an elevator and air-conditioning, parking, good accessibility, comfortable seating for 80+ with good stage views throughout.  Ticket prices are $12/Adults and $8/Children under 18 and Seniors.  We offer email updates about upcoming auditions and shows.  FMI, call Reindeer at 857-9002 or email us at events@reindeergroup.org.