The Playhouse Leadership & Creative Team
A 32 year Legacy of Local Theater Education
MEET THE DIRECTORS OF
THE PLAYHOUSE
"We are at the beginning of our 32 year of children's theater at The Playhouse. You might think the Magic has grown old or the excitement faded over time. That is not true for the new young actors who are experiencing the fun of learning to take their place center stage!" - Mary
A Lifelong Commitment to Theater Education
Mary Weaver – Founder, Director & Teacher
Mary Weaver is the Founder and Director of The Playhouse. Her work encompasses artistic direction as well as executive and business management. She has produced theater in Belfast since 1982 and founded The Playhouse in 1994. Mary holds a degree in Theater Arts from the University of Michigan.
Mary moved to Waldo County in 1970, then to Belfast in 1981, and has dedicated her career to teaching children and young people how to act. Her early contributions to the community include street parades, seasonal performances throughout the parks and waterfront, productions at the Belfast Opera House, New Vaudeville shows in tents, and original musicals and plays. These efforts were part of a larger mission to revitalize and return the historic Opera House to the community.
Before establishing The Playhouse, Mary also produced a summer theater program for two years with a professional New York theater company and its international Equity intern program at The Crosby School.
At The Playhouse, Mary teaches creative acting and theater skills to children. She directs, designs, and costumes each production alongside her longtime creative partner, Philip Prince. Mary has performed with the Belfast Maskers, the Assembled Players at The Playhouse, and in street performances throughout Belfast. Her training at the University of Michigan included children’s theater, television and radio performance, directing, acting, makeup, and costume creation.
Mary’s decades of dedication have shaped The Playhouse into a lasting, joyful space for young people to grow, create, and discover themselves through theater. Her work continues to inspire the next generation of artists—and donors play a crucial role in ensuring this legacy continues.
Set Design, Stagecraft & Creative Leadership
Philip Prince – Production Partner

Philip (Phil) Prince has been Mary’s creative partner since the 1980s. Together, they brought The Playhouse to life and transformed the original storefront into a working theater. Phil serves as production partner, house and box office manager, prop master, and stage manager.
He has designed, built, and painted the vast majority of sets for Playhouse productions, creating the world in which the students’ performances come to life.
Phil’s love of theater began in fifth grade, when he was cast as the lead in Fiorello. Before moving to Maine, he performed with the summer Byrd Hoffman Schools of Byrds in SoHo, New York City. He has acted for The Playhouse, the Belfast Maskers, The Assembled Players, and the Waldo County Players.
Phil’s craftsmanship, creativity, and commitment are essential to the Playhouse experience. The environments he builds allow young performers to feel the magic of a fully realized production—something possible only through the continued support of the community and generous donors.
meet our board of directors
Peter Paton - President
Peter is an actor of stage and screen, a playwright and a producer appearing in many Playhouse productions.
Doug Van Horn - Treasurer
Doug is a retired Unity College professor, a blueberry farmer, and a parent of early students of The Playhouse.
Philip Prince - Secretary
Phil has been a part of The Playhouse since the beginning. He keeps the CLAP! archives and previously served as secretary for the Belfast Coop Board of Directors.
Elizabeth Garber
Elizabeth is an acupuncturist, a published poet, and a parent of early students at The Playhouse.
Leslie Stein
Leslie is a retired guidance counselor, an actress, a musician and vocalist, a parent of early students at The Playhouse, & has appeared in many of our productions.
grants & donations
CLAP! Inc. has received generous grants from The Basil Bunwell Foundation, Belfast Coop-Common Cents Program, Belfast Keep the Faith Fund, Maine Community Foundation, the Waldo County Fund, the Maine Theater Fund, the Maine Expansion Arts Fund, the Vanguard Charitable Foundation and Angels for Theater.
Most of our funding comes from donations from friends of The Playhouse and their donations are essential to keeping the doors open at The Playhouse.
get involved at the playhouse -
join our community of supporters
The Playhouse has thrived because of people who believe in youth theater and creativity. Whether you want to help backstage, volunteer during productions, or simply stay connected, your involvement makes a real difference.
support a production or Help Behind the Scenes
Volunteers help paint sets, gather props, welcome audiences, and support our young actors during rehearsals and performances. No theater experience is needed—just a willingness to pitch in and be part of the team.
You can contribute by offering your time, donating materials, or sponsoring a show. Every bit of support helps keep local theater thriving in Belfast and Waldo County.
If you’re interested in joining our backstage team or exploring other ways to support The Playhouse, we invite you to reach out. Together, we can strengthen the arts and keep community theater growing.