At the Children’s Museum & Theatre of Maine (CMTM), we set the stage for every child to imagine and learn through play.
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The Children’s Museum & Theatre of Maine Afterschool Experiences are designed with the whole child in mind. From exploring the interconnection between Maine's aquatic species to creating a show as a theatre ensemble, these experiences foster collaboration, empathy, critical thinking, and self-awareness skills.
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Let’s pretend together! In this creative drama experience designed for our youngest audiences and their families, we will use the power of imagination, storytelling, and song to transform CMTM's Maddy’s Theatre into familiar environments. This is an interactive early childhood theatrical experience for children ages 1-3 and their caregivers to gain confidence imagining and pretending together.
Explore, create, and collaborate during this drop-in class for children 2-5 and their caregivers. Each week, experiment with the mediums and styles of both well-known and emerging artists. This week, we will focus on Mbongeni Buthelezi and their art form of making portraits out of recycled plastic. Please plan for a messy but fun morning; aprons will be provided. Thank you to Hancock Lumber for their support of this program and CMTM's MakerSpace.
Whether you are meeting a dog for the first time or own a dog yourself, all are welcome to greet our friendly, four-legged therapy dog friends. Come hang out, read a book, sing a song, or explore dog training with a certified therapy dog and its caregiver. Therapy dogs will be visiting with a trained adult in the 3rd floor IDEXX STEM Learning Hub and would love to say "hi" to you if you wish. Included with Admission.
Discover the Science for Tots series! This weekly program is specially designed for children ages 2-5 and their caregivers. This month, drop in for weather-themed exploration! Learn all about the elements around us through sensory experiments. Flow through a dramatic water cycle, paint on snow and ice, and experiment with wind with a mini Bernoulli blower. During Science for Tots, we meet young children where they are by introducing them to STEM concepts like science, engineering, math, and the environment through rich sensory experiences. Sign up for one week or multiple weeks to meet new families and make new friends. Note: Science for Tots requires the caregiver and child/children to attend the session together.
Open Art Studio is a unique opportunity for artistic expression. Located in the front half of the MakeSpace, this program explores creative techniques, materials, and mediums each week, designed for young artists & makers. Included with Admission.
This special Friday MakerSpace session features an exciting opportunity to try out tools like a screwdriver, drill, driver, or hammer. Guided by a MakerSpace staff member, you will learn about safe hand tool use with wood. Free-choice materials are also available. An adult guardian must be present.
Work individually or in a group to design and build a tower out of simple materials. Learn the fundamentals of basic engineering through interactive problem-solving. This program focuses on process over product and encourages fun experimentation. All ages and abilities are welcome.
Let’s Stay Connected!
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In the News
At an event at the Children's Museum & Theatre of Maine on Tuesday morning, kids talked about what they wish for in 2025.
Mainers party just a little differently than the rest of the world on New Year’s Eve.
Instead of dropping a ball from a big building in a big city, we drop a wild blueberry from a church bell tower in Kennebunk. Instead of making everyone stay up to the stroke of midnight, we hold some New Year’s celebrations in the afternoon or early evening, so kids and early risers can get to bed on time.
On return trips from her old college stomping grounds of Boston, Nancy Martin, business programs manager for the City of Portland, Maine, knows she is home when the Children’s Museum & Theatre of Maine (CMTM) comes into view. It is arguably the most prominent venue in a development known as Thompson’s Point, which stands out right off Interstate 295. The peninsula setting symbolizes the natural amenities Maine possesses, while the ground below is a prime example of Portland’s desire to maintain its beauty inside and out.
This week, two guests walk us through all these “Beautiful Blackbird” activities – Jordia Benjamin, Executive Director of the Indigo Arts Alliance and René Goddess, a Portland-based theater artist who is Artistic Director of The Theater Ensemble of Color as well as the director of the stage play edition of “Beautiful Blackbird.”
Assembled on a teal cardboard wall is a wide range of children’s artwork: doodles of multiple orange cats, crayon-drawn self-portraits, Acadia National Park depicted in markers, a drawing of a cup of boba tea. While the works vary in style and content, they come together in the mural to create a portrait of the children of the Portland area.
Portland, Maine, is often associated with the calm coastal and seaside lifestyles. With a lively working waterfront, picturesque lighthouses, and sea glass beaches, it’s never been a better time to plan a trip to Maine.
Updates + Stories
CMTM is thrilled to bring A.A. Milne’s classic tales to life in the currently running production of “Winnie-the-Pooh” in CMTM’s Maddy’s Theatre. To give the community a closer look at the creative mind behind this adaptation, we spoke with playwright Sean Patrick Nill to learn more about his artistic journey, his approach to adapting such a beloved story, and what he hopes audiences will take away from this heartwarming adventure in the Hundred Acre Wood.
We’re Hiring! Join the Children’s Museum & Theatre of Maine as a Part-Time Human Resources Manager, a position that oversees the employee lifecycle systems, from recruitment and hiring to payroll and benefit support, including offboarding. This position upholds CMTM’s systems of employee support in an equitable and legally compliant way. Deadline: December 18, 2024.
We’re Hiring! Join the Children’s Museum & Theatre of Maine as a PT Visitor Services Assistant Manager, a position that is responsible for creating a welcoming and safe environment for visitors and supporting CMTM’s interdepartmental team of forward-facing staff to carry out their daily tasks in collaboration with the Manager on Duty. Deadline: December 18, 2024.
We’re Hiring! Join the Children’s Museum & Theatre of Maine as a PT Buildings & Grounds Coordinator, a position that serves as the Children’s Museum & Theatre of Maine’s (CMTM) “handyperson” and ensuring a high-quality visitor experience by coordinating the caretaking of CMTM’s building and property. Deadline: December 18, 2024.
We’re Hiring! Join the Children’s Museum & Theatre of Maine as a Theatre Production Intern, a position that will play a vital role in supporting the Mainstage season, contributing to various aspects of production while honing skills in carpentry, scenic painting, prop creation, stage management assistance, deck operations, light board programming, and more.