The Magic of Maddy

Contributed by Julie Butcher Pezzino, Executive Director, Children’s Museum & Theatre of Maine

Madeleine (Maddy) G. Corson

The Magic of Maddy

It is with heavy hearts that the Children’s Museum & Theatre of Maine family mourns the loss of Madeleine G. “Maddy” Corson—our biggest cheerleader, generous benefactor, stalwart supporter, and dearest friend. 

It’s not a stretch to say there would be no Museum AND Theatre without Maddy. A passionate champion for children’s participation in the arts, especially the performing arts, she worked tirelessly over decades to ensure the continuation of the Children’s Theatre of Maine, culminating in the successful merger of that organization with the Children’s Museum of Maine in 2008. That critical partnership formed the foundation of who we are today: the Children’s Museum & Theatre of Maine. 

New Children’s Museum & Theatre of Maine community gathering and ribbon cutting ceremony., June 2021. Photo by Derek Davis.

From (L) Julie Butcher Pezzino, Madeline G. Corson, Barbee Gilman, Kristin Valdmanis, Michael Bourque.

Maddy was unwavering in her commitment to ensuring a true home for children’s theatre. Her most significant gift to CMTM was Maddy’s Theatre—a permanent, state-of-the-art performance space designed specifically for kids. 

Since it opened three years ago at CMTM’s new home on Thompson’s Point, Maddy’s Theatre (named in honor of her birth mother) has hosted 20 professional productions and 532 individual performances, and has featured 141 adult and child actors. Over 30,000 visitors have watched live theatre created expressly with children in mind. Maddy was, and should be, immensely proud of this incredible accomplishment. 

(L) Maddy in front of the future “Maddy’s Theatre.” (R) A picture of construction of building exterior.

Inside Maddy’s Theatre, a state-of-the-art 89-seat theatre at the Children’s Museum & Theatre of Maine.

Maddy Corson speaks to an invited audience on the Balloonacy set in Maddy’s Theatre, where she officially retires the jester logo of the Children’s Theatre of Maine past, and welcomes the kitetails logo of the Children’s Theatre future. Photo by Derek Davis

(L) Maddy Corson with CMTM Executive Director Julie Butcher Pezzino (R) about to cut the ribbon outside of Maddy’s Theatre. Photo by Derek Davis

Maddy surrounded by family at the Centennial Children’s Theatre Celebration, celebrating 100 years of children’s theatre.

Maddy Corson.

Maddy almost never missed a production, and she especially delighted in any intergenerational show featuring children and adults acting together on stage. She often said she needed to see a show twice because she spent so much time just watching the reaction on children’s faces as performers entertained and captivated them. To her, this was the ultimate magic of children’s theatre. 

This past December, Maddy and I watched “Corduroy” together, one of six titles that formed CMTM’s Centennial season of shows. It was the most complicated and interactive set design the team had ever put together, involving trap doors, disappearing actors and surprise entrances. A young child sat in front of us, and as a performer appeared out of nowhere, they squealed with delight and whispered, “Mama, it’s magic!” 

We immediately looked at each other and Maddy laughed and smiled radiantly, a twinkle in her eye. It was a moment that encapsulated her love and commitment to children, her dedication to theatre and the arts, and her belief in the mission of this organization. It was truly magical. I carry that scene with me today as I reflect on her incredible life, and on all the people she touched, in particular the nonprofit organizations in Maine she so deeply believed in and supported.

I saw Maddy recently for what I knew was likely the last time. As we hugged tightly, she whispered in my ear, “I will always be with you.” And she will be. With all of us. In every seat, every performance, every curtain call, and every heart at the Children’s Museum & Theatre of Maine. We will miss her fiercely, but she has left such an indelible imprint that she will be with us forever.

And that is the Magic of Maddy.

In her own words… “I started in 1940 going to plays…I still remember I must of been seven years old at the time…that’s just stuck with all those years.” - Maddy Corson