Dreaming Into Something New
Photos by Sarah Violette from the “Broken Clock” finale at SPACE
The MIO Creative Ensemble performed “Broken Clock” for the final time for a sold out audience at SPACE in Portland earlier this month. During a vibrant and compelling dialogue, audience members resonated with moments of heartbreak and characters searching for love:
A kid chasing his mom’s car down the street as she goes to her second job. The violence of poverty and of not being able to take care of your child. Not being able to find childcare. Not being able to get your son out of prison. The pain of unanswered phone calls. A lullaby about the baby to prison pipeline - that humans can be marked from birth to end up in a place of dehumanization. How easily we throw people away.
We talked about the play’s development and how it changed over time in response to each performance dialogue and current events. The audience asked about the impact of the play on different audiences like correctional officers and youth. They asked about the experience of each cast member - how did creating and touring this play impact you? We grappled with questions about system reform, diversion, and abolition. An audience member asked all of us to stay curious and engaged in our communities. It felt like the dialogue could have gone on all night.
We ended the evening - as we have at each performance - by sharing our dreams. This time we all shared our dreams all at once. And then we continued the conversation more casually over cookies, just as we did with the men inside Maine Correctional Center. Big thanks to Night Moves, Portland Food Co-op, Trader Joe’s, and Hannaford Forest Ave. for donating cookies.
Thank you to everyone who supported the development of the play and presentation of the tour. Over 18 months, we performed in 8 counties, at 8 universities, and inside 4 prisons. This was only possible with incredible partnerships and community support. Early next year we are releasing a short documentary film about the performance tour, including footage from the performances and dialogues inside the prisons. Stay tuned for opportunities to join us for a film screening!
The Broken Clock cast following the finale performance at SPACE
MIO’s Perspective on Marcel’s Sentencing
We at MIO wish to share our perspective around the sentencing for Marcel LeGrange. We are heartbroken for the families and children impacted by this violence and tragedy. The profound grief felt by so many will ripple out for lifetimes.
Marcel is a member of Maine Inside Out. He participated in creative arts programming at Long Creek Youth Development Center and in the community. Marcel has committed very severe harm. We also know from his presence, poetry, and connection that he is a kind, earnest, and creative soul. He shines in moments when his basic needs are met, he is connected to a loving community, and has purposeful work.
Unfortunately, those moments have been far too rare. Marcel has been involved in state systems since he was a very young child. Yet, he and his family never had the level of support they needed. In fact, he progressed from one system of isolation and abandonment to the next.
Marcel received two life sentences. We do not believe these sentences are a resolution for collective failures. What is the responsibility that society must have to all children, regardless of the circumstances of their birth, to be safe and to thrive? In the words of MIO Co-Executive Director Joseph Jackson:
“I’m not asking this court to excuse the harm he caused. I’m asking this court to show mercy for our collective failure to ensure this child had what he needed before we got to this point.”
Dreaming Into Something New
In “Broken Clock” there is a line about dreaming into something new. While the tour may be done, MIO will continue to ignite our collective creativity and inspire social action in 2026 by:
Creating and touring a new, original play
Playmaking with incarcerated artists inside Maine prisons
Theater workshops with Lewiston youth in collaboration with community partners
Weekly adult peer reentry support for statewide participants
Will you dream with us? Maine Inside Out needs to raise $75k by December 31 to support the work ahead, and with gifts made online and by mail, we are more than halfway there. Thank you to all who have already donated. Just $35k Left to Raise by Dec 31. Let’s keep this going!
End-of-Year Rest
At MIO, we recognize periods of rest as critical to our health as an organization and as leaders, which allow us to show up in more impactful ways. This winter, we will be closed from Monday, December 22 - Friday, January 2 to honor this value.
Thank you for being part of our vision to build communities that thrive in connection, dignity, and accountability. Stay tuned for opportunities to partner with us and join us in transformative dialogues. We look forward to connecting with you in the new year!
