Almost, Maine (2022)
Panther Playhouse | Harrison High School
Enrollment at Time of Production: 12 Students
Full Production Description & Overview:
This gentle, magical realist exploration of love and longing was brought to life through an ensemble cast and modular scenic elements.
The production emphasized authenticity, simplicity, and connection.
Each vignette allowed students to build dynamic pair-based chemistry and reflect on emotional nuance.
Performances: 4 public performances
Cast & Crew: 8 students
Rehearsal Period: 7 weeks (4 days/week, 2 hours/day)
Tech Week: 1 week
Marketing Window: 4 weeks
Venue Capacity: 950 seats
This production marked the founding and building of the Panther Playhouse program following a significant enrollment decline.
Financial Overview (Documented Figures):
Production Budget
Scripts & royalties: ~$400
Minimal scenic materials: ~$400
Lighting adjustments & supplies: ~$200
Programs/printing: ~$150
Miscellaneous: ~$100
Total Budget: ~$1,250
Actual Cost:
Scripts & royalties: $650 (Concord Theatrical)
Minimal scenic materials: $45
Lighting adjustments & supplies: $0
Programs/printing: $0
Miscellaneous: $150
Total Cost: $845
Ticket & Sales Summary
Net Sales (Tickets): $2,343.88
Total Sales Collected (including tips): $2,432.55
Square Processing Fees: ($56.15)
Net Revenue Collected: $2,376.40
Approximate attendance: ~313–330 audience members across 4 performances (8% occupancy of a 950-seat auditorium).
Approximate attendance: ~313–330 audience members across 4 performances
This equals roughly 8% occupancy of a 950-seat auditorium.
Breakdown of Payments:
Card: $1,358.10
Cash: $898.50
Cash App: $175.95
Additional:
Taxes collected: $56.72
Tips: $31.95
Returns: ($1.94)
Strategic Goals & Outcomes:
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Partner scene work and duet-based character development
Winter-themed scenic design and modular set usage
Lighting design focused on mood and transitions
Personalized rehearsal rituals and journal prompts
Ensemble cohesion through Alba Emoting techniques
Peer scene coaching and nightly run crew rotation
Rebuild ensemble confidence
Establish trauma-informed rehearsal protocols
Train students in ticket sales, concessions, and front-of-house procedures
Introduce reflective performance evaluation
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Focused on safe emotional exploration with SEL support tools
Guided students through thematic analysis and objective-based acting
Designed simple but evocative set pieces to enhance symbolism
Modeled structured feedback and scene scoring techniques
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Reestablish Panther Playhouse as an active performing arts organization
Implement full financial tracking through OntheStage and Square
Generate surplus funds to seed the following production
Restore parent and community trust in the theatre program
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Reintroduce live theatre to the campus post-decline
Encourage faculty attendance (free HSD2 staff access)
Rebuild alumni engagement
Final Income Report:
Net Revenue: $2,376.40
Minus Estimated Budget: $845
Surplus: $1,531.40
Strategic Impact
Almost, Maine generated a modest but meaningful financial surplus while stabilizing a theatre program that had only 12 enrolled students at the time of production.
The show:
Reestablished revenue tracking systems
Funded subsequent production materials
Initiated enrollment recovery
Rebuilt the performance culture within a 950-seat venue for during-school and after-school performances
This production marked the operational reset that preceded enrollment growth from 12 to 250 students the following year.
