Portland comedy theater helps local homeless shelters

PORTLAND (WGME) – A comedy theater in downtown Portland is turning a negative experience into a positive one.

In December, a homeless man broke into the Fresnel Theater on Free Street behind Monument Square and stole more than $1,500 worth of concessions, travel bags and even a pair of old boots.

The people who run the comedy theater say their anger turned to compassion after learning the homeless man was mentally ill.

"They left behind lighting equipment and laptops and computers, but they stole concessions. They stole our donations bin. They stole uniforms and costumes that our performers use," Creative Director Matthew Russell said. "This was caused because a homeless person needed someplace warm, and as such, we've been doing shows here where we're donating a portion of our proceeds to different homeless shelters around southern Maine."

Russell says the local improv community heard about the break-in and offered to help.

He says in one month, they raised enough money to cover the cost of everything stolen.