Saving Shakespeare
The Theater at Monmouth
Maine’s official Shakespearean theater, the Theater at Monmouth, appointed Colby College communications director Edward Hershey to its board to utilize him as a publicity advisor. But that role was expanded dramatically, so to speak, after Hershey and another trustee, Robert Schauer, stumbled on a hidden deficit that jeopardized the beloved theater’s existence. Elected president of the board in 1990, Hershey reorganized the theater and embarked on an audience relations and development program that cleared a substantial debt and created a $32,000 operating surplus in three seasons. One stratagem: a partnership with some of the state’s most prominent antiques dealers leading to a successful fundraising auction. “Ed Hershey's work is singularly responsible for saving the Theater at Monmouth,” Schauer remarked. “We are all very grateful.”
The Theater at Monmouth is still going strong today in historic Cumston Hall.