For the youth-written play Reality: Don’t Judge a Book,
Portland, ME
I was proud
that the students working with ROiL decided to bring the show to
the school and to challenge
their peers and their teachers to heed the play's message
of
acceptance and inclusion. It took courage to present a piece about
hard to talk about subjects to your friends and teachers. We hope
that there will be many future opportunities for students to engage
in performances to wrestle with big questions and for audiences to
have access to these performances to drive critical dialogue
.”
-Ken Kunin, Principal, Deering High School, Portland, ME
For the spring 2007
workshop with the Civil Rights Team at Portland High School,
Portland, ME
"I believe that the entire experience, including the challenges, was valuable,
particularly given the group of students who were involved- It taught
them about commitment, responsibility, working together on a project
that is on-going, and maturity. I want to thank you for all the incredible hard work that you put into
this and these students- they will never forget the experience and I
believe will carry on all that they learned about harassment and hate
crimes into their futures."
-Sophie Payson Rand, Civil Rights Team Advisor, Portland High School, Portland, ME
For the winter 2006
workshop at the Preble Street Teen Center,
Portland, ME
“After three years facilitating groups and
activities at Preble Street Teen Center, I have not seen a group
or project with more of an impact than ROiL’s theater residency.
Not only do I whole heartedly support the work of ROiL, I deeply
admire the professional actors of ROiL, who have committed their
lives to working with young people to create theater for social
change. ROiL’s approach is accessible, their mission is affective,
and they have truly created change in the lives of the youth at
Preble Street Teen Center.”
-Margot Fine, Director, Youth Advocacy Program, Preble Street
Teen Center
Youth Participant Comments:
“I think that a lot of people really kind of
learned about homelessness . I know a lot of people left with a lot
of things. I mean, everybody left with the impression that, you know,
we’re people too. And that’s what we came here to tell everybody.
Even though we’re homeless, even though we might need a few things,
we might need some help, we’re still people too.
-Nicholas Norton,
Preble Street Teen Center, Portland, ME
“I am in awe of how well this turned out .
I don’t
know whether to cry or laugh. The fact that there’s kids who have
never ever talked in front of people and were up there on that stage
just awes me. This is the best thing I have ever done with my time in
my life. From when we screamed at each other, every fight, every
rehearsal was worth it. I would do it a million times over. We were
up there, we were acting out what we’ve already been through and the
fact that our emotion of what really happened came through really
hit a lot of people.”
-Maggie Zall, Preble Street Teen Center,
Portland, ME
“The biggest thing I think that we learned out of
this whole thing is that we all have courage, we all can do it
, if
we stick together…We got closer, we got a lot closer. We learned how
much courage we have. We had to be there for each other. It was hard
for me…because I didn’t know how to do it, at first. And now I do.”
-John Picard, Preble Street Teen Center, Portland, ME
“[The most important thing you learned in the workshop was…]
that you can mix yourself with the characters; no idea is a stupid
idea; family; working and listening together; not to judge people by
their looks; about voice, and expression with the body; friendship;
I learned that we can do anything and can work together real
well.”
- Riverton Housing youth
Articles about ROiL
Opening Doors: Portland teens create a path for liberation
Portland Phoenix, April 05-12, 2006
The Relief of Play: ROiL members act for change in
Baton Rouge
(same as above)
When Life Throws You Bad Footballs
Portland Press Herald,
April 3, 2006
Staging Democracy
Portland Phoenix, September 30-October 06, 2005
ROiL on Queertalk
WMPG, October 19, 2005
Theater group takes on an issue that hits everyone 'Close to Home'
Portland Press Herald,
October 10, 2005
Question 1 at heart of 'Close to Home' play echoes former first
lady's words
Bangor Daily News, November 4, 2005
What people have to say about
ROiL’s original work:
“ROiL’s performance of Close to Home
was an
inspiring example of how artists and performers can make a real,
tangible impact on our community and truly create change. I”m excited
to see what their next project is, and I hope they will continue to
bring their creative approach to important issues.”
- Karin Roland, Maine Won”t Discriminate Campaign Staff
"I haven't seen a theatrical production that
affected me this much in at least fifteen years. ROiL’s Close to
Home took my breath away. The writing as well
as the acting,
was superb. I was struck by how real and raw the dialogue
was, yet at the same time, well balanced and directed. It was clear
as the show progressed that the audience became more and more moved
by the production. I could visibly see people around me having
'Ah-ha!' moments as they suddenly understood some perspective that
they had personally never experienced before. This is what theater
should be about!” - State Senator Nancy Sullivan, Biddeford, ME
"I am the Pastor and Teacher of the Falmouth
Congregational Church United Church of Christ. I was particularly
struck with the sensitivity and theological clarity in addressing
those parts of the Bible that mention homosexuality. Drama is an
effective vehicle for addressing contemporary issues. I recommend
ROiL as writers, performers, and persons with a social conscience.”
- Pastor Dawn Berry, Falmouth Congregational Church United Church
of Christ, Falmouth, ME
“Although I have been involved in the fight for
LGBT civil rights for over 20 years, ROiL’s fresh approach showed
me perspectives on LGBT issues that I had never considered.
Their intensity and clarity on the issues they were
presenting made
for a riveting and educational performance. I recommend that anyone
who gets a chance to see them in action do so.” -
Madeleine Winterfalcon, Host of QueerTalk on WMPG Radio,
Portland, ME
“On behalf of the Gorham High School Gay-Straight
Alliance, I would like to thank ROiL for coming and talking with us
and performing. Some of your skits were really amusing, including
the one about discriminating against the straight guy. It was funny
and really made me think of gay people and how they should be allowed
to express themselves however they wish, just like straight people."
- Katie, Gorham High School student, Gorham, ME
“ I think this use of theater as a vehicle for
social change was very effective on our issue and I
certainly think that it could be an important component of any
movement seeking to bring their message home to people in a very
effective and direct manner.” -
Patricia A. Peard, Steering Committee, Maine Won't
Discriminate Campaign
“This is a top notch theater group,
not only because of their performance skills, but also because of
their commitment to educating people about social justice.”
- Rob Roy, Gorham High School teacher, Civil Rights Team
and Gay-Straight Alliance advisor
“Close To Home took real stories -- the
words of
people shunned to the side of society -- and dramatized them in a
way no one could ignore. It opened minds and stirred hearts...
Artists who can do such things should
be encouraged, and attention should be paid to them.”
- Jason Wilkins, Musician
“Through their talented acting, and gifted
storytelling ability, ROiL is able to energize people to action in
innovative ways. It is my hope that ROiL will continue to receive
the funding support is deserves, so that it may continue to provide
civic education and promote social justice for all citizens.”
- Rep. Christopher R. Barstow, Gorham, ME, Maine House of
Representatives
“After hearing so much about how wonderful ROiL’s
performance was, we went to see it. We are so glad we did. It
certainly more than lived up to the raves we had heard.
Through a
combination of humor, sobering dialogue, and interaction among the
players, they were very effective. Drama did that as few other mediums can.”
-Dolores Vail, Maine Council of Churches
“I have been fielding call
after call after call from folks here who went to see your
performance and RAVE about it. Truly, I've lost track of numbers.
They were all so very, very impressed, and moved by what you did.
Thank you.” - Heather D. Martin-Zboray,
Hancock County Democratic Party Coordinator, Ellsworth, ME
