Fragile Hope
The Creative Ensemble performing “Broken Clock” at Colby Arts on May 1
The Creative Ensemble performing “Broken Clock” at Colby Arts on May 1
“Intense. Heart filling. Sad. Emotional. Loss. Isolation. Humanity. Generational trauma. Lost potential. Left behind. Trying and trying again.”
When asked to share what resonated with them in “Broken Clock,” these were words spoken by audience members following a performance last Thursday at Colby Arts in Waterville. Some audience members shared particular moments in the play that moved them:
“The singing of Rock-a-bye baby. As a mother and grandmother, I don't know if I will ever hear that song the same again. It was just so touching and with the privilege that I have and what that means for all the mothers of incarcerated children and adults. I was very, very moved by it.”
“The part where you all were pouring libations, thinking of the dead homies who passed away. In the park, hooping. The park is supposed to be playtime. When I think about the title Broken Clock… now playtime is over. Somebody is dead or in jail. I resonate with that, I spent a lot of time in the playground and I’ve seen some things. Luckily I am still here.”
“For me it was the human walls of the prison, and the fact that they responded.”
“The whole performance is a journey of so many emotions: frustration, tiredness, and then this invitation to hope. The hope is so fragile, and so there is this fear of stepping boldly into hope because it feels so fragile.”
Thank you to everyone who came out to the performance and participated in a moving and vulnerable dialogue after the play. The next public performance is on June 17 in Lewiston at the Public Theatre. Tickets are free or by donation and can be reserved here.
The next three performances of “Broken Clock” will be inside Maine prisons in partnership with the Maine Department of Corrections. MIO will perform twice at Maine Correctional Center - for the men and women separately - and once at Maine State Prison. The film and play include the voices and poetry of incarcerated artists, and bringing the tour inside offers these artists a chance to witness their contributions to the performance and participate in the dialogue that is building around the play. One of the core themes of the play is the isolation and punishment that happens in our communities when harm occurs, most often through incarceration. Through the performances and dialogue, the tour aims to connect the perspectives of people in the community and people incarcerated about what is needed for repair and accountability when harm happens. We are honored to perform inside for incarcerated men and women, and excited to hear what emerges in the dialogue as we continue to grapple with the questions of the play.
Upcoming Tour Dates:
June 4, 2025 - Broken Clock at Maine Correctional Center | Not open to the public
June 11, 2025 - Broken Clock at Maine Correctional Center | Not open to the public
June 13, 2025 - Broken Clock at Maine State Prison | Not open to the public
Tuesday, June 17 2025 - Broken Clock at The Public Theatre at 7pm - Get your tickets!
Monday, August 11 2025 - Broken Clock at the Millbridge Theater - more info and tickets available soon.
Friday, September 12 2025 - Broken Clock atCelebration Barnat 7:30pm - Get your tickets!
Donate and Support the Tour
The Broken Clock tour is made possible by support from foundations, business sponsors, individual donors, and presenting partners. Thank you to all who are supporting this work!
Unfortunately, Maine Inside Out is among the arts organizations that have been notified of funding recommendations being withdrawn by the National Endowment for the Arts this past week - MIO lost a $25,000 grant to support the Broken Clock tour. This is 20% of our tour budget and would have been our fourth year of funding from the NEA. These were necessary funds to support MIO artists and make it possible to offer free tickets. We need your support and will be sharing more opportunities to support MIO in the coming weeks.
Upcoming MIO & Partner Events
MIO is hosting or partnering on many upcoming events. We hope you’ll join us and our partners for these events - we would love the opportunity to connect with you in person!
Join the MIO community and featured artist Axmet Alay at L/A Arts on May 19 for an evening of poetry, music, expression, and connection. The Open Mic night is hosted by Bashir Matan, Isha Abdullahi, Mohamud Duale, and Hassan Hassan with support from the rest of MIO’s Lewiston Community group. The evening will feature performances by MIO’s statewide network of artists. Bring your poetry, music, story, or talent to share or come to witness and be in community together!
L/A Arts is an ADA accessible venue. Please reach out to admin@maineinsideout.org to request specific accommodations.
On May 15, Somali Bantu Community Association will host a Blessing for the 2025 Growing Season at Liberation Farms in Wales. MIO will be there alongside partners from the community.
The event is centered around celebrating the beginning of our farming season, and a chance to gather partners, supporters, community members, and anyone interested in learning more about the food sovereignty, client navigation services, and youth engagement work of the SBCA. Guests have access to the infrastructure and fields, including commercial cooperative growing spaces and livestock barns. Guided tours will be given and Somali food will be offered after a welcome from Executive Director, Muhidin Libah, and a blessing of the land is given by Somali Bantu community Elders. SBCA will provide porta-potties and a golf-cart to increase accessibility. Somali music will be shared, and it is an excellent opportunity for partners to network and come together during uncertain and trying times.
On Saturday, June 14, the Lewiston Youth Advisory Council is hosting the “Heart of Lewiston Festival” at Simard-Payne Park. MIO will be there alongside many community partners. The festival is free and open to all. We’ll see you there!
On Tuesday, June 17, MIO is hosting a Lewiston community performance of “Broken Clock” at the Public Theatre for Juneteenth. In this current wave of attempts to erase history it is ever important to honor, highlight and celebrate this year’s Juneteenth holiday. Here at MIO we believe in the power of theater to spark necessary dialogue around issues that are affecting our communities. We hope you will join us on 6/17 here in Lewiston, to engage in the dialogue, share your voice, and represent this beautiful community.
Free or donation-based tickets can be reserved in advance here.
The Public Theatre is an accessible venue - see details here.