This past Friday, I had the absolute pleasure of going to the Maine State Conference, hosted at the University of Maine in Orono! On Thursday, October 15th, Doug Berlon and I flew into Bangor, Maine at 10:30pm, fell asleep at the Black Bear Inn, and met up at around 6:50am the next morning. Dan Burson, a Maine State Board member, and Rick Ossan, the Maine State Chapter Director, picked us up and drove us to the University of Maine, where we were set to work! Doug, Dan, Rick and I spent the morning unpacking and setting up for the Conference. I had the pleasure of working with Carmen Mandley, the STO Coordinator, and the other Maine STOs in presenting the opening ceremonies! After a few Snapchat videos, hectic bonding activities, and a hilarious guest performance by Michael Trautman (a mime and clown!), everyone was dismissed to their workshop sessions.
I was signed up to teach NAPS, an advocacy workshop, during my first hour-and-fifteen-minute session, and was able to work with two fantastic students! We were able to focus on discussing their theatre departments and experiences individually, and had very successful conversations in coming up with ways to address issues they face.
We paused for a delicious lunch break (catered by the University of Maine.) Carmen, the STOs, and I planned for the closing ceremonies (which I was not a part of because I had to leave for my flight.)
After lunch, I taught my leadership workshop to a fantastic group of ten kids. I was able to hang out with some of the most fun-loving thespians I’ve ever met! Our conversations ranged from golf to Kanye West to Broadway, and all came back to their individual leadership styles. I know some of those blossoming leaders will go on to change the world.
I was at closing ceremonies very briefly, but before I left I was brought on stage, thanked, and given a gift from the Maine Thespians and the STOs! After a big group hug with the STOs, I left with Dan Burson to drive to the airport. The Maine State Conference was one of the most memorable, exciting events I’ve ever experienced. Thank you to all the generous, kind people who took me in and taught me what it means to be a Maine thespian. I hope I am lucky enough to come back next year!