WALDOBORO — On Friday, May 29, four local high school students will premiere an original performance created through The Prism Project, a 12-week theatre program hosted by The Waldo Theatre, Open House of History, and OUT Maine.

The final theatrical performance is open to the public and recommended for ages 12 and up. Admission is free. To receive exact location and time details, please contact program@outmaine.org.

Working alongside educators and artists from the three organizations, participants met weekly to explore themes of identity, connection, and belonging. Through improvisation and devised theater techniques, the students produced an original performance piece reflecting their experiences, perspectives, and creative discoveries throughout the program.

“In each of [these students], there is enough rich and layered material to create many more provocative and transformative theatrical experiences," said Michael Amico, director of Open House of History, in an OUT Maine news release. "It has been a privilege to witness that in the rehearsal room and to help bring it forward for others to experience.” 

This program is part of ongoing work to bring community voices to the foreground in the creation of new theatrical work.

“We are proud to support young artists in sharing their voices and stories through a collaborative performance,” said Mia Branco, director of Education at The Waldo. “It has been an honor to watch these four young artists explore their ideas and experiment with different modes of expression.”

OUT Maine’s mission is to create welcoming and affirming communities for Maine’s LGBTQIA2S+ youth. The Prism Project is founded upon the exploration of identity and belonging, central themes of the queer and trans experience.

"By lifting up diverse local voices, the program is creating safe spaces for youth to express their authentic selves and discover themselves through theater," said OUT Maine.

The organizations received an Equity Fund Grant from the Maine Community Foundation in support of this project.

For more information, please contact program@outmaine.org.