ROiL's mission is to take theatre into the community where it becomes an accessible and powerful agent for communication, education, and ultimately, change.



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Staging a Revolution: Interactive Workshop on Theater and Social Change

Bioneers By the Bay, UMASS Dartmouth October 15,2005 and October 21,2006

Facilitated by ROiL artists Joanna Horton and Tessy Seward with youth members of ROiL

Theater has a long tradition as a vehicle for the voices of the marginalized and oppressed. ROiL brings the techniques of theater from the stage into communities in order to help facilitate dialogue on controversial issues. Based on their recent work with youth in Portland, Maine and Baton Rouge, Louisiana, ROiL artists introduce tools for creating simple, powerful dramatic pieces in response to relevant community issues. Come learn how teens from diverse communities are making their voices heard through theater!


From l to r: Joseph Perez, Tessy Seward, Jonathan Mayorquin, Joanna Horton (seated), Nancy Valmond and Caitlin York)




from left to right: Paul Miller, Tessy Seward, Hannah Legerton, Derek Converse, Christopher Reiling, Seth Berner,
Joanna Horton, and Peter Brown.



CLOSE TO HOME: an anti-discrimination performance and dialogue

This original dramatic production, written and performed by Mainers, toured the state September to November 2005 to raise awareness and facilitate community dialogue about referendum Question #1. The referendum, brought to the ballot by conservative Michael Heath, proposed to strike "sexual orientation" from the Maine law protecting people from discrimination in education, housing, and employment. Proponents of the referendum insisted that the law should not protect all citizens equally.


ROiL artists assembled a group of concerned community members who worked collaboratively to create CLOSE TO HOME, an original play that looked at the struggle for civil rights from a variety of current as well as historical of perspectives. ROiL members performed CLOSE TO HOME more than 30 times from Kennebunkport to Eastport, and led post-performance discussions with each audience about the hurtful effects of discrimination in Maine.



ROiL PRESS COVERAGE