An Evening of Climate-Themed Theater Captivates Freeport Audience
As the sun dipped below the horizon at Wolfe’s Neck Center in Freeport, theater enthusiasts gathered for an evening dedicated to climate awareness. Luke Myers, hosting his fourth Climate Change Theatre Action event, wandered the venue, savoring an oyster from Mere Point Oyster Farm while engaging with attendees.
“I’m very excited about what we’re doing this year,” Myers shared, expressing his hope that audiences would feel inspired to explore their roles in climate justice. This sentiment was echoed by a large gathering who came to witness six theatrical plays focused on climate change.
The event was part of a global initiative by Climate Change Theater Action, which involves around 50 playwrights creating short plays on climate change themes. These performances, which Myers carefully selected for their emotional impact, always include a call to climate action.
“I think climate change is the biggest issue facing humanity for our lifetime,” Myers stated. “I’m an artist above all else, so I want to use my art and passion with climate justice to come together.”
The evening began with “Bare Spaces,” a play by Ugandan playwright Angie Emurwon, performed by Katelyn Manfre. This piece pays homage to Emurwon’s grandmothers and was set against a clear November sky.
Alex Spiva, an attendee, remarked, “I love the being outdoors piece of this evening. It’s exciting to see the different plays.”
The second play, authored by Miranda Rose Hall from Baltimore, Maryland, and featuring music by Maine’s own Paul Fidalgo, highlighted the challenges facing oysters in the Chesapeake Bay—a topic close to Myers, an oyster farmer himself. “I hope our audience can learn a little bit more about both oysters and climate change, and hopefully get more involved,” Myers expressed.
Kelly Punch, another farmer from Mere Point Oysters, underscored the significance of oysters in combating climate change. “Oysters have a really big effect on climate change. They’re a filtration system,” Punch explained, adding that the farm has significantly improved local water health by adding millions of oysters to Maine’s waters.
“We’re seeing a lot more jellyfish and other creatures,” Punch noted. “It’s a great way to increase the health of a bay.”
The subsequent plays included “Eat the Rich” by Tira Palmquist, which humorously depicted orca whales targeting harmful yachts; “Love Out of the Ruins” by Zoe Svendson, which explored future high-carbon living; and “Ranger” by Yvette Nolan, which envisioned creating a national park. The event concluded with Caridad Svitch’s “Letters to the Ocean,” a piece eagerly anticipated by attendees such as Stephanie McSherry, who stressed the importance of planetary awareness.
As the event wrapped up and the sun set, Myers hoped the performances would spark a sense of responsibility among the audience. “I think that’s the way forward,” he stated, reinforcing the evening’s message of climate action through the arts.
Original Story at www.pressherald.com