Join us in Bangor for Broken Clock!
Maine Inside Out is partnering with Penquis Community Action Program, and The Maine Youth Action Network to bring Broken Clock to Bangor!
Join us on Tuesday, October 28, at Penobscot Theatre Company for the next show. Doors at 1pm, Performance at 1:30pm.
MIO’s New Board Members Reba and Sahra
We are excited to welcome Reba Askari and Sahra Hassan to the Maine Inside Out Board! They bring experience and connections to the theater and legal communities respectively, as well as their fervent belief and practice of MIO’s values. We are grateful for the energy that they will contribute to the work of Maine Inside Out and look forward to collaborating with them on the Board.
Reba Askari is a theatre educator, director, and arts administrator with over 15 years of experience in nonprofit theatre leadership. She currently serves as Artistic Director of the Children’s Museum & Theatre of Maine, where she develops programming, leads professional productions, and forges community partnerships. Reba teaches creative drama and theatre for young audiences at the University of Southern Maine and has presented nationally on applied theatre and arts education. Her work is grounded in a commitment to inclusive, accessible, and community-engaged theatre practices. She is thrilled to join the board of Maine Inside Out to support its mission of using theatre as a tool for connection, healing, and social change.
Pronouns: she/her/hers
Sahra Hassan is a Kenyan-born Somali attorney, educator, and refugee whose lifelong commitment to justice, equity, and community empowerment shapes her work on the board of Maine Inside Out. She was raised in Portland, Maine after resettling from a refugee camp at age eight and is the oldest of nine siblings. A first-generation college graduate, Sahra earned a B.A. in Applied Social and Cultural Studies from the University of New England, with minors in Political Science and Psychology.
Before attending law school, Sahra spent two years as an educator and coordinator of the Make It Happen program at Casco Bay High School in Portland. Inspired by her students and her community, she decided to pursue a legal education, which led her to the University of Maine School of Law. At the UMaine Law, Sahra served in multiple leadership roles supporting BIPOC students, was elected Class Speaker for the Class of 2024, and provided direct legal representation to asylum seekers through the Refugee and Human Rights Clinic.
Now an Immigration Attorney at Gillies Law in Portland, Sahra combines her legal training and lived experience to advocate for individuals navigating a complex and often unjust immigration system. She views the law as both a tool and a responsibility—and considers it a privilege to advocate for those most in need in our communities.
Sahra’s connection to Maine Inside Out is rooted in shared values: healing through art and storytelling, centering the voices of those most impacted by systems of oppression, and building community power from the inside out. She believes deeply in the transformative potential of all people and sees her service on the MIO board as an extension of her lifelong commitment to justice, equity, and collective liberation. For Sahra, this work is not just professional—it’s personal. It is an enduring act of love and solidarity with the community that helped shape her.
Pronouns: she/her/hers
Community Work Update
The Lewiston Community Group recently partnered with the Lewiston Farmers Market to distribute free sandwiches and snack packs to community members. This initiative also allowed us to promote upcoming MIO events and connect with other locals. The Lewiston Farmers Market is an excellent venue for fostering community connections and supporting the local economy through its wide variety of fresh, local foods and goods.
Additionally, we are collaborating with The Permanent Commission on the Status of Racial, Indigenous and Tribal Populations in Maine, specifically the Haven Storytelling Project. This partnership is supporting our October community lunch and open mic, which are focused on the theme of housing. In fact, this grant inspired the title "Home Bound" for the Open Mic held on October 21. We look forward to sharing updates about the event with you all soon!
Donate to Support the Tour & MIO’s Work
MIO’s projects are designed to support system-impacted people in Maine, including our creative ensemble’s tour of “Broken Clock” with free performances and dialogues across Maine communities and prisons, are only possible with support from the community. With shifts in federal funding combined with increased need in the community, we need your support.
Make a gift today to ensure MIO can continue to work toward our vision of transforming a culture of punishment and isolation to one that thrives in connection, dignity, and accountability.
New Online Merch Store!
Maine Inside Out has collaborated with Bonfire to offer merchandise for sale. Original and "Broken Clock" apparel are currently available for purchase.
