by Chris Peterson
Nearly two months after the Theater at Monmouth canceled its entire 2026 summer season, some patrons say they are still waiting for refunds and struggling to get answers from the organization.
The Maine theatre announced in early June that it would not present its planned season at Cumston Hall because of ongoing financial challenges. In a statement, the Board of Trustees said rising production costs and revenue that had failed to keep pace made proceeding with the season too risky for the future of the organization.
At the time, the theatre said ticket holders and subscribers would be contacted directly “in the coming weeks.” It also stated that refunds would be available for all 2026 tickets and subscriptions.
According to a new investigation from CBS13’s I-Team, however, multiple patrons who spent hundreds of dollars on tickets have yet to receive their money. Several also said they have been unable to get clear information from the theatre about when those refunds will arrive.
Theater at Monmouth Board President Zach Nichols acknowledged the delay in a statement to the station.
“We recognize that patrons have been waiting for information, and we apologize for the delay,” Nichols said. He added that the theatre would communicate directly with affected customers once instructions and any required next steps were finalized.
The organization did not provide a timeline for when that would happen.
Theater at Monmouth is a professional nonprofit theatre that has produced work in central Maine for more than 50 years. It performs at Cumston Hall, but the theatre and the town-owned venue are separate organizations. Cumston Hall continues to host other performances and community events.
Canceling an entire season is undoubtedly painful. But those challenges do not erase the theatre’s responsibility to its customers.
Patrons purchased tickets for performances that will not happen. They were told refunds would be available. Nearly two months later, they should not still be left wondering when they will get their money back.
Even if the theatre does not yet have the resources to process every refund immediately, it should be communicating clearly.
Theater at Monmouth may eventually need those same people to buy tickets, donate money and trust the organization again. How its leadership handles these refunds could determine whether that trust still exists when the theatre is ready to reopen.
