This year’s Portland Stage Spring Gala was a bit like an open house, giving guests a chance to focus the theater lights, swap out scenery, perform a quick costume change and direct a scene.

“Tonight is building constituencies as much as it about raising money,” said board president Todd Nicholson. “It’s really about making people aware of what we do, how it affects the community and why it’s important. Sometimes people come to a show and enjoy it but don’t know about our education program, author readings or other things we’re doing.”

The May 20 gala also included a cocktail reception with members of the Portland Stage Apprenticeship Program while guests bid on dozens of silent auction items. Guests then moved to the Studio Theater for a short performance by members of the Portland Stage Shakespeare Teen Company, an ensemble of southern Maine students in grades 7-12, and a live auction that included a book club at the home of playwright and novelist Monica Wood.

The gala raised $46,000 for Portland Stage’s Mainstage, Education, and New Work programs, including over $15,000 to support their Apprentice Program. Each year, a dozen students are selected from a worldwide pool of applicants to work with leading designers, directors, administrators and the professional production team through the Portland Stage season.

“Your support keeps the stories alive, nurtures artists, educates young people and ensures that this space remains open to everyone, a space where community and creativity collide,” said emcee Dustin Tucker, a member of the Actors’ Equity Association.

The 2025-2026 season opens July 31 with “Murder for Two”— a few moments of which will look familiar to gala guests who jumped at the chance to do a scene or costume change.

Avid Portland Stage fans are already buying season tickets for the six-play Season 52: “Murder for Two” (July 31-Aug. 17), “Eleanor” (Sept. 24-Oct. 19), “Dirty Deeds Downeast” (Oct. 29-Nov. 23), “A Christmas Carol” (Dec. 6-24), “Lend Me a Tenor” (Jan. 28-Feb. 22), “Our Town” (April 1-26) and “The Laugh Track” (May 6-31).

“When we first moved to Brunswick, we had babies and came here for our regular date night,” said Moriah Moser of Brunswick. “Thirty-five years later, we’re still coming.”

Amy Paradysz is a freelance writer and photographer based in Scarborough. She can be reached at amyparadysz@gmail.com.