The Little Theatre That Could: The Colonial Theatre [Belfast, ME]

Photo Credit: Keisha Hsiao

We were driving aimlessly through the isolated roads of Maine trying to get to Camden, a picture perfect coastal town. My mom spotted boats off in the horizon and without much speculation, we changed our course.

Passing farmers markets and zipping through changing autumn leaves, I found myself on High Street, my focus instantly locking onto a beautiful pistachio colored theatre. Surrounding it were century old brick buildings, inhabited by cozy shoppes, all humbly complimenting one another.

I knew I had to park so I could properly admire this perfectly preserved theatrical wonderland. I parked and walked back towards the Colonial Theatre, knowing I had to snap a photo.

Believe it or not, this building isn’t the original Colonial Theatre. The original opened the same day the Unsinkable Titanic left England on Wednesday April 12, 1912. Just like the Titanic, it met its demise, burning to the ground in 1923.

Ten months later, the revived Colonial Theatre was born.

According to Downeast Magazine, this theatre saw it all. Beauty pageant, sopranos, Fats Domino, even footage of Pearl Harbor during its attack. While families were in financial devastation during the Great Depression, the incredible owners of the theatre gave away turkeys to hungry families.

Many films throughout the past several decades were shown here: Toy Story, Mars Attacks, the Bride of Frankenstein…all providing memories for families and other movie goers to reflect back on. However, like many businesses, The Colonial closed its doors in 2022 after the pandemic wreaked havoc on its ability to stay afloat.

Thankfully, a year later Hawthorne Theatre & Arts Collaborative, a nonprofit, took over and resurrected it. As far as I know, it’s still doing well, showing predominantly blockbusters. Although, it routinely shows indie films of all genres as well.

I can’t help but wonder how many hidden gems exist throughout the world but this theatre is a great reminder to take a detour every once in awhile.