Theatre Nouveau launches its 2026 season with an intimate hour with Lisa Stathoplos, with performances on May 15, at 7 p.m., and May 16, at 2 p.m., at the Unitarian Universalist Church, 37 Miller Street, in Belfast.

Stathoplos will be performing several chapters of her latest memoir, Chimera – a Shapeshifter’s Journey, now a BookLife/Publishers Weekly semifinalist for the “BookLife Prize.”

Stathoplos will be sharing her personal and professional experience wrangling an inadequate mental health infrastructure in her attempt to save a loved one from the darkness that is their constant companion. 

A certified Special Education teacher/case manager, specializing in emotional and behavioral disability, Stathoplos is widely known as an actor in the Portland theatre community, according to Theatre Nouveau, in a news release. Theatre Nouveau audiences will recognize her through her roles as Hedda Gabler in "A Modicum of Guilt" and as Mrs. Percy (the woman in the bombed-out theatre) in "The Shakespeare Lonely Hearts Club."

"Stories from her memoir are told with her signature irreverent wit, love and forgiveness," said the news release.

The suggested donation is $15 at the door – cash or check only.