It’s not every day you find live theater on a working waterfront. But in the coastal town of Stonington, Maine, the historic opera house overlooking the harbor isn’t just a backdrop—it’s the beating heart of the community. This year, Opera House Arts (OHA), the nonprofit organization that operates out of the historic Stonington Opera House, is celebrating 25 years of performances, programs, and gathering.
Originally constructed in 1886 as a music and dance hall, the Opera House burned down and was rebuilt in 1912. The theater’s true revival began in 1999, when four visionaries found the building nearly abandoned and in disrepair. “They purchased it, reconstructed the roof, shored up the building,” says Jessica Shively, OHA’s communications and development associate. “That’s when they established Opera House Arts as a nonprofit, to restore the structure to its original purpose as a community institution.”
That sense of place and purpose continues to define Opera House Arts today. “We’re more than just a theater,” Shively says. “We have mainstage performances, music, and programs geared toward intergenerational audiences. We also run trivia events, open mic nights, and other events to bring the community together to celebrate.”
For this milestone anniversary season, OHA is leaning into its past, celebrating its present, and planning for the future. On stage, this summer’s lineup includes both a return to Shakespeare (a tradition at OHA) and a look at contemporary storytelling. “Our first mainstage productions is A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” Shively says. “We’re also doing Rooted, a contemporary play, so we’re really celebrating the future while honoring the roots of our programming.” Music lovers will find a highlight in the 25th annual Deer Isle Jazz Festival, headlined this year by Grammy Award–winning artist Quentin Baxter. “We’re quite excited about that,” Jessica adds.
Also returning this year is OHA’s beloved Live for $5 series of low-cost, early-evening performances designed with families in mind. “It’s specifically targeted at intergenerational audiences,” Shively notes. “We’ve scheduled them at 6:00 PM on Tuesdays so that families with young kids who want to come can be home before bedtime.” The series includes a variety of acts from juggling and circus performances to musical guests. “We’re trying to make sure that cost isn’t a barrier,” Shively says. “The ticket price for everyone is just five dollars, so you can bring the whole family.”
Opera House Arts remains committed to accessibility in other ways, too. “We instituted a pay-what-you-can night for our theater productions,” Shively says. “We just want to make sure the space remains open, inviting, and exciting with something for everyone.” That might mean a dramatic play one night and a comedic film the next. “If you're not interested in theater, you can come to a blockbuster movie instead,” she notes. “We’re offering options that everyone can enjoy.”
Beyond attending performances, OHA invites the community to get involved in other ways. “We're always looking for volunteers, and we're a nonprofit, so any donation of any amount helps. The cost of a ticket only covers about 15% of our operating costs,” she adds.
Shively easily recalls stories from the community: people who had their first job at the Opera House, went on their first date there, or saw their first play on its stage. “There’s one young person who came to see Cyrano, one of our mainstage productions last year, and it brought her to tears,” she says. “She was just in absolute awe and joy. That’s what we hope for: that a first experience with live theater becomes something you carry with you.”
That legacy of impact is part of what drives OHA to look ahead with care. A recent capital needs assessment made clear that the century-old building requires continued maintenance. Fortunately, the state of Maine passed a $10 million bond dedicated to preserving structures on the National Register of Historic Places. The Stonington Opera House is eligible to apply for this support. “We’re grateful the state is recognizing the importance of our cultural history,” Shively says. “We want to remain good stewards of this building. It’s a great time to reflect on how we keep these spaces vibrant for the next 25 years—not just for us, but for future generations to enjoy.”
Looking ahead, the organization’s mission remains steady: creativity rooted in community. “We want to continue to be a community gathering space,” Shively says, “to offer something for everyone, to keep productions accessible and relevant, and to stay connected to the people around us.”
That focus, Shively believes, is what has helped Opera House Arts thrive—not just as a regional arts organization, but as part of the national conversation about the value of culture. “We’re keeping our focus on our support of the community,” she says. “That has spoken volumes for our success, and it keeps us grounded.”
In a time when so many rural theaters have gone dark, the Stonington Opera House, still glows at the west end of Main Street. It’s a place where art, conversation, laughter, and story continue to bring people together. That, in itself, is worth celebrating.
OHA Summer 2025 Highlights
- July 12-13: Matinicus by Jenny Connell Davis in partnership with the Penobscot Theatre Company
- July 18-19: 25th Annual Deer Isle Jazz Festival
- July 22: Frogtown Mountain Puppeteers’ Everybody Loves Pirates (Live for $5)
- August 7-17: Rooted by Deborah Zoe Laufer / directed by Joan Jubett
View the full schedule and purchase tickets at operahousearts.org.
For this milestone 25th anniversary season, Opera House Arts is leaning into its past, celebrating its present, and planning for the future.