The Board of Directors of The Public Theatre recently announced that the Theatre’s longtime executive/co-artistic director Christopher Schario will retire this year. In a message sent to the Theatre’s patrons, donors, corporate sponsors and friends, the Board celebrated and thanked Schario for his incredible tenure – 30 years of artistic excellence and commitment to the Lewiston Auburn community. Many celebrations of Schario are to come in 2024. He is currently helping to facilitate the transition to new executive leadership.

Lewiston native Ray Dumont will be stepping into Schario’s shoes as Executive Director, and artistic continuity will be maintained as current co-artistic director Janet Mitchko assumes the role as the sole artistic director for the Theatre.

“I am overjoyed to be coming back to my hometown as executive director of The Public Theatre. I grew up in Lewiston and was educated in Lewiston schools. It’s a tremendous privilege to come back and to be able to give back to this wonderful community,” said Dumont who has been working in professional theatre for 30 years. “Christopher has really set a high standard, and I know I’ll rely on his valuable experience as we transition into this new leadership model.”

A graduate of Boston University School of Management, Dumont holds degrees in finance and marketing. Throughout his decades in theatre, he has been a performer, educator, director, choreographer, and administrator. He enjoyed more than 20 seasons at Maine State Music Theatre in Brunswick, including four years as managing director. Dumont has worked in theatres all over the country as well as local organizations like The Ogunquit Playhouse, The Huntington Theatre Co., The Children’s Theatre of Maine, Mad Horse Theatre, and the aforementioned Maine State Music Theatre. He is a well-known and well-loved member of Maine’s theatre community and a proud member of Actors’ Equity Association.

In his role as Executive Director of The Public Theatre, Dumont will provide vision and leadership to the Theatre’s small but mighty full-time staff of five, managing finances and fundraising, marketing, audience development, and supporting the artistic vision and standards for excellence.

In 1991, The Public Theatre began its first season producing two plays in a borrowed space at the Auburn Mall. The Public Theater moved into the historic Ritz movie house in Lewiston in 1992. In 1993, the organization signed a contract with Actor’s Equity Association, the union of professional actors, and became one of only five Equity theatres in the state. Equity membership allows The Public Theatre to hire the very best actors across the nation. Today, The Public Theatre is one of the most remarkable success stories in the state of Maine and a cornerstone in the cultural life of Lewiston/Auburn. Each season The Public Theatre produces six to eight productions, playing to an audience of over 17,000 people.

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