The Skowhegan
Opera House
*Lights Up Productions is a Maine Nonprofit Corporation in the process of applying for 501(c)(3) status. Contributions received by our donors are not tax-deductible. Once we receive our exempt status, donations received while our application was pending may be treated as tax-deductible contributions retroactive to 11/14/2023. If our application is not approved, contributions will not be considered tax-deductible.
Help us restore the Skowhegan Opera House to its glory!
History of the Skowhegan Opera House
Skowhegan is the Native American word for “spearing” or “place to watch.” Bordering the mighty Kennebec River, the Skowhegan Opera House is an 840-seat hidden gem on the second floor of Skowhegan’s Municipal Building. Built in 1907, it is on the National Register of Historic Places. It is currently underutilized, having mostly regularly scheduled dance recitals each year. It is also very much in need of stage equipment updates and renovations. Over the past decade, minimal funds have been raised.
Future Plans
Throughout 2024, Lights Up Productions plans to hold community outreach events with our friends and
affiliates. In February, you found us at some Somerset SnowFest events, in April, we attended KVCAP’s Skowpendous Family Fun Night, and in May we were at the dress rehearsal at Skowhegan Opera House to meet and greet parents and family members of the dancers in the Top Hat School of Dance Spring Recital!
On June 20th, we will be at Unwined for a “meet & greet,” a Summer Solstice Stroll down the sidewalk to see local artists work, and back to Unwined to listen to a live jazz duet!
We also plan to begin monthly Historical Tours, collect survey results, build our contact list, hire an Executive Director, and develop our Master Plan – which includes fundraising for renovating and restoring the venue with new bathrooms in the lobby, a new glass-enclosed stairway/fire escape overlooking the River Park, new backstage dressing rooms and bathrooms, and two new elevators for patrons and backstage. During the first weekend of December at the annual SKOW-Whoville event, we plan to have our first production of a children’s reader’s theater of A Christmas Carol and a show for adults called The Santaland Diaries.
Restoring the Beauty of the Skowhegan Opera House
Recent Fundraisers & Outreach
*Lights Up Productions is a Maine Nonprofit Corporation in the process of applying for 501(c)(3) status. Contributions received by our donors are not tax-deductible. Once we receive our exempt status, donations received while our application was pending may be treated as tax-deductible contributions retroactive to 11/14/2023. If our application is not approved, contributions will not be considered tax-deductible.
Somerset SnowFest Kick-Off Party
February 16th – 4 pm to 8 pm.
Join us for the Somerset SnowFest Kick-Off Party at
Bigelow Brewing
Somerset SnowFest
February 17th – 9 am to 3 pm
Join us at Somerset SnowFest at Lake George West Information/Fundraising Table from 9 am to 3 pm.
We will also have an Ice Hole World Championship team at Lake George East – the competition begins at 11 am!
Somerset SnowFest Ice Bar
February 23rd – 7 pm to 9 pm
Warm up with us inside from 7 to 9 pm during the Ice Bar at Unwined! Live music and fun with Bob Lovelace and Lights Up Productions– a new nonprofit that is revitalizing the Skowhegan Opera House. Come out and hear Bob play classics from Bob Dylan, Neil Young, The Beatles, and all of his favorites, like Angel From Montgomery and Sunday Morning Coming Down, as well as songs from his newest CD A Whole New World, like My Baby Likes Peas and Sugar From A Tree.
25% of all draft and canned beer sales will be donated to Lights Up Productions!
Bob Lovelace has been performing around central Maine for 40 years. He has several CDs to his name, has had his original music played on many local radio stations, and has done live performances on WXNZ, WMHB, and WERU. Bob has also written plays for and performed on the Skowhegan Opera House stage.
KVCAP Skowpendous Family Fun Night
April 19th – 5 pm to 7:30 pm.
Community Outreach, Survey, & free Arts Access tickets to a future event/production!
Top Hat School of Dance Dress Rehearsal
May 3rd – 4 pm to 6 pm
Community Outreach to dancers’ parents & family members & survey available!
Summer Solstice Showcase - Unwined
June 20th – 5 pm to 7 pm
On this first evening of summer, join us for our first showcase at Unwined (151 Water Street) from 5 pm to 7 pm. Learn about our mission, give your input about what arts & entertainment you want at the Skowhegan Opera House, see artwork on display, stroll to local galleries, and listen to jazz music by Brian Richmond and Dennis Rock!
More Events Coming Soon!
More Fundraisers & Outreach
Coming Soon, too!
Please take our survey to let us know about you and what you would like to see happen and grace the stage at Skowhegan Opera House! Use our QR code below or this link: https://forms.gle/kHsJM6Ub5uuUiFQQ7
Keep your eyes here and on our Lights Up Skowhegan Facebook Page for More Community Outreach and Events!
About Lights Up Productions
Lights Up Productions is in its start-up phase as a domestic nonprofit corporation in the state of Maine. Through fundraising and producing full opera house seasons of concerts, children and student events, and live theater, we will bring engaging arts and entertainment experiences to the historic Skowhegan Opera House. This “place to watch” will become a destination that residents are proud of and visitors will fall in love with. While building our seasons and our relationship with the community, we will raise funds for the
Skowhegan Opera House in collaboration with the Town of Skowhegan.
Meet Our Board of Directors
Lyn Govoni, President
Theater Artist
Office Manager
Wentworth Partners & Associates
Bryant Cyr, Vice President
Production Manager
Waterville Opera House
Kim Kennedy, Treasurer
Faculty, Kennebec Valley
Community College
Business Administration
Department
Karol Kish Youney, Secretary
Insurance Specialist
Hannah K. Davis, Director
Costume and Wardrobe Supervisor
Billie Clark, Director
Owner of Unwined, Skowhegan
Grace Lommel, Director
Promoter
Alicia Nicholls, Director
Assistant to General Counsel
& Chief Financial Officer
at Editas Medicine
Zachary Longyear, Director
Principal, Skowhegan Area Middle School
MSAD54
*Lights Up Productions is a Maine Nonprofit Corporation in the process of applying for 501(c)(3) status. Contributions received by our donors are not tax-deductible. Once we receive our exempt status, donations received while our application was pending may be treated as tax-deductible contributions retroactive to 11/14/2023. If our application is not approved, contributions will not be considered tax-deductible.
Join Our Contact List for Monthly Newsletters
*Lights Up Productions is a Maine Nonprofit Corporation in the process of applying for 501(c)(3) status. Contributions received by our donors are not tax-deductible. Once we receive our exempt status, donations received while our application was pending may be treated as tax-deductible contributions retroactive to 11/14/2023. If our application is not approved, contributions will not be considered tax-deductible.
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