BRUNSWICK — Charles Abbott, veteran actor and theater director, is the new artistic director of the Maine State Music Theatre. He fills the position left by the late Victoria Crandall, founder and artistic director for more than 30 years.

Abbott has directed 85 productions in 30 theaters in the United States and served as resident director at MSMT for five years and guest director for another five years, working with 26 MSMT productions.

Abbott plans to continue his career in New York and pursue development of new works at other theaters. Abbott said that his presence in New York would be valuable to MSMT and would enable him to bring back more to the Maine State Music Theatre.