In the late 1800s and early 1900s, when its population was over 5,000, Eastport was the cultural center for the area. Amateurs from the area, as well as professionals from Boston and New York, made plays, operas, and musical performances commonplace in Eastport. Memorial Hall was often their stage. Several bands organized to provide music for dancing and celebrations. These bands were so popular that seven music teachers and two music stores were kept busy. During and after the Depression and World War II, life changed in Eastport. Live theater was only found at the Shead High School and still is. Presently the drama group does very well in competitions.

In 1990, live community theater returned to Eastport. Through outside funding and grants, the Cornerstone Theater Company came to Eastport for three months to teach and help organize a company known as Stage East. The old Masonic Hall on Dana Street was renovated for future performances. In March 1991, Stage East produced their first play, The Playboy of the Western World. Since that time, four or five plays are performed each year along with a variety of musical and dramatic evenings.

In early 2005, the Eastport Arts Center purchased the former Washington Street Baptist Church at 34 Washington Street. This building is the center for a variety of live, educational, and film performances. Live theater amd musical presentations are advertised on banners and signs on Washington Street at R&M IGA. Most are listed in the "Calendar" section of this web site. Tickets and additional information are available at the office of Motel East. The latest issue of The Quoddy Tides will have particulars concerning all of the events planned for the near future. The "Forecasts" column in The Quoddy Tides gives a day by day listing of many area events.

Eastport, Maine: Easternmost City in the U.S.A.