About Us

Good Theater is the professional company founded by Brian P. Allen and Stephen Underwood in 2001. Good Theater has a new permanent home at Stephens Square Theater, located in the Stephens Square Community center. Good Theater received its 501(c)(3) non-profit status in May 2003.

The goals for Good Theater are simple: Good Theater is dedicated to presenting quality theatrical productions that are entertaining, uplifting, and inspiring, using the best artists available.

Board of Directors for Good Theater: Stephen Underwood, President; Jeannine Lefevre, Secretary; Richard Trub, Treasurer, Edward Gatta, Jr., Ann Roche, Don Sipe, Jennifer Ceide, Justin Cote, Jonathan Edwards, Jeanne Handy.

Volunteer Opportunities: People are needed to assist in a variety of ways: usher, box-office, advertising, poster distribution, office, etc. If you want to be a part of Good Theater, please contact us.

  • (Artistic Director) – is the co-founder of Good Theater and has directed more than 90 productions for the company. Some of his favorites include: The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, August Osage County, Act One, An Inspector Calls, Clybourne Park, Light up the Sky, and A Man of No Importance to name a few. He is a Maine native who has worked in professional theater for over 40 years starting with Maine State Music Theatre in 1982. For seven years, he worked with the Portland Symphony Orchestra directing Magic of Christmas and creating Pops concerts. He has also directed at The Theater at Monmouth, The Theater Project, Biddeford City Theater and Portland Players. Brian directed the off-Broadway run, as well as the national tour, of the original musical Radical Radio. He has taught classes on the history of musical theater and serves as a consultant for small non-profits as well as individuals who need some direction in their lives. As a performer, he has played a variety of roles, and he has a one-man show that is available to tour.

  • (Board President/Production Manager) Stephen formed Good Theater with Brian P. Allen in 2001 and has appeared in dozens of GT productions. Favorites include: Underwaterguy, Little Me, Homer Bound, A Comedy of Tenors, Striking 12, Moonlight & Magnolias, Forum, Ruthless!, Edwin Drood, The Dining Room and Barrymore. Directing credits include: Popcorn Falls, Stones in his Pockets, 4000 Miles, Mrs. Mannerly, Sex With Strangers, A Doll’s House Part 2 and Love, Loss & What I Wore. Other ongoing roles at Good Theater may include: set designer, sound designer, graphic designer, photographer and video production. He is also a passionate free diver who shot and edited multiple films including the award-winning documentary The Hunt for Aquatic Invaders for The Lake Stewards of Maine. In the summer you will likely find Steve holding his breath with camera in hand, filming in Maine’s clearest lakes, ponds, rivers and streams. His newest show, The High Road, will premiere in February of 2022. This one-man, mind-altering multi-media show about weed takes a deep dive into the fun and the fascinating, finding high-minded humor in the most unlikely places. The High Road is sure to give audiences a light-hearted lift and plenty of laughs in the middle of a long Maine winter.

  • (Executive Director) - Formerly the Director of Marketing & Communications at the Portland Symphony Orchestra, Gusta Johnson brings over two decades of experience in both theatre and business, with a strong background in marketing, development, and corporate partnerships across the nonprofit and private sectors in Maine and New York. As an actor and singer, she's performed professionally in theatres in Maine, New York, and Seattle, including Good Theater's productions of Lucky Stiff and Desperate Measures and several of their Broadway at Good Theater concerts. Gusta recently completed her MBA and is eager to help the organization navigate its expansion and further enrich Portland's cultural landscape.

  • (Customer Service Manager) Michael has been a vital part of Good Theater since 2012, starting as Assistant Stage Manager and eventually taking on roles as Stage Manager, Box Office Manager, and overseeing the theater’s online presence. He has also appeared on stage as an angel in An Act of God. Over the years, Michael has stage managed more than 50 productions at Good Theater, in addition to managing shows on tour at venues such as Penobscot Theatre Company, Camden Opera House, Theater at Monmouth, Deertrees Theatre, and Strand Theatre in Rockland.

    With a professional theater career that began in 2007 at Arundel Barn Playhouse, Michael’s experience extends beyond Good Theater to the Ogunquit Playhouse, where he spent eight seasons working in various roles, including as Production Assistant, Personal Assistant to stars like Carson Kressley and Sally Struthers, and Assistant Company Manager.

    Michael’s unique combination of performance experience, technical expertise, and dedication to customer service ensures that every Good Theater experience is memorable for patrons and staff alike.