Karen Montanaro Awarded ARPA Grant
from the Maine Arts Commission
PRESS RELEASE: February, 2022
Maine performing artist Karen Montanaro has been awarded a generous ARPA Grant from the Maine Arts Commission for the creation of a new show, TONY MONTANARO ~ A LOVE STORY. The show will be a live theater performance sharing Karen’s 15 year successful marriage and working relationship with her beloved husband and touring partner. Tony Montanaro, who passed in 2002 at the age of 75 after a two year struggle against cancer, was a world renown teacher of mime and improvisation who founded the Celebration Barn in South Paris, Maine in 1972. He toured nationally and internationally and left behind an enduring legacy in the mime and theater world. Karen credits her late husband in transforming her understanding of life and metaphysics, self-expression, the necessity of arts in our lives and with learning how to manifest the miracle of inspiration in life and on stage. Short for the American Rescue Plan Act, federal ARPA funds offered $500,000 in grants to artists and organizations in the state of Maine to help artists and organizations recover from economic challenges caused by the pandemic. A 50-50 match was required which Karen was able to secure through the generosity of television celebrity Tom Bergeron, a long time friend of the Montanaros as well as an alumni of Tony’s workshops. Currently, performances are scheduled in Portland at Mayo Street Arts on June 4th and at the Celebration Barn in South Paris on July 29th.
Updates will be posted on www.mimespokenhere.com, a legacy website designed as a platform to share the history and achievements of Tony Montanaro, provide educational resources about mime and a vehicle to serve the creative community inspired by Tony’s teachings.
Press Contact: Karen Montanaro, email Karen at: inspiration@mimespokenhere.com
TV Host Sponsorship
Tom Bergeron, television host and alumni of MIME SPOKEN HERE, will help underwrite the cost of Karen’s new show about her relationship with her performing partner and mentor Tony Montanaro. Early in his career, Tom studied mime with Tony and credits him for much of his success in broadcasting.
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