Powerful Performances and Upcoming Events
The MIO creative ensemble outside of Maine Correctional Center after performing “Broken Clock.”
"After the shooting, when the mother was looking for her son and asking if anyone had seen him… that’s what I’m doing from inside here. I’m trying to reach out to him. Has anyone seen my son?”
The MIO creative ensemble performed “Broken Clock” at Maine Correctional Center last week for an audience of 50 incarcerated women. As soon as the performance started, the dialogue between the play, the performers, and the audience began. Laughter, cries, gasps, hands reaching out to hold each other, collective silences - the audience came alive with recognition at each moment in the play: making phone calls home from prison… losing family while inside… needing support and resources as a mom… love and concern for their children… how quickly life can change in a moment of violence… generational cycles of trauma and system involvement… the ripple effect of incarceration on family and friends. The play felt real because for this audience it was real. In the post-show dialogue, the audience responded with deeply vulnerable reflections, words for each other of solidarity and support, and dreams: freedom, serenity, sobriety, parole, and retirement.
Towards the end of the dialogue, one audience member asked, “are you performing this play for people who aren’t incarcerated? So many of the things I’ve lived through I didn’t know about before they happened to me. I think everyone needs to see this performance.”
MIO is performing “Broken Clock” three more times this month. On June 11 and June 13, the creative ensemble performs inside Maine Correctional Center and Maine State Prison for audiences of incarcerated men. Then on Tuesday June 17, we are hosting a public performance for Juneteenth in Lewiston where we hope everyone will join us for an evening of community, performance, and dialogue.
The MIO creative ensemble outside of Maine Correctional Center after performing “Broken Clock.”
The MIO creative ensemble outside of Maine Correctional Center after performing “Broken Clock.”
Join us for a special Juneteenth performance of “Broken Clock” in Lewiston.
Tuesday, June 17, at The Public Theatre 31 Maple Street, Lewiston
6pm Doors Open. Join us in the lobby for food and activities prior to the performance! Little Chair Printing will be printing free t-shirts for youth and adults with “Juneteenth” and “Broken Clock” logos. A community meal will feature delicious food from The Heritage Restaurant and Buffalo Wild Wings.
7pm Original film, performance of “Broken Clock,” and community dialogue.
8:30pm Reception in the lobby featuring cookies and pastries from The Italian Bakery.
Support for the “Broken Clock” Tour
We’ve now received donations of more than $15,000 toward our goal of raising $25,000 by June 20th to make up for federal funds canceled by the National Endowment for the Arts. Thank you to all for showing up for MIO!
May Community Open Mic
Video reel recap of the May Open Mic by Violette Media
Thank you to everyone who came out for “Inside Vision” the Lewiston Community Open Mic last month at L/A Arts! The room was alive with music and poetry. Shoutout to our featured artist Axmet Alay for bringing energy and joy, and to everyone who stepped on stage to perform or came out to support. As one poet said, we dream of “co-regulation not incarceration” and the ambiente of support, courage, community, and love in the room was strong! Check out a few clips of original poetry from the event on the MIO Youtube channel:
Awakening Dawn by Aaliyah Givens
Upcoming MIO & Partner Events
10 Ways to Celebrate Juneteenth in Maine
Maine Inside Out’s Juneteenth performance of “Broken Clock” was featured in the Portland Press Herald as one of 10 ways to celebrate Juneteenth in Maine. Check out the article for information about all the events: https://www.pressherald.com/2025/06/09/here-are-8-ways-to-celebrate-juneteenth-all-over-maine/
Heart of Lewiston Festival
Saturday, June 14 12-5pm
The Lewiston Youth Advisory Council is hosting the “Heart of Lewiston Festival” at Simard-Payne Park in Lewiston. MIO will be there alongside many community partners. The festival is free and open to all. We’ll see you there!
2025 Juneteenth Celebration: Resistance Through Joy
4:30pm on Friday, June 20
Join the Community Organizing Alliance at Bates College for a celebration of Juneteenth! Register here for the event.
Ancestral Echoes: Walking the Water, Singing the Land
Join Portland Public Library and @juneteenth_portland_me for three Juneteenth events in the Greater Portland Area:
Juneteenth Faith & Freedom Documentary at Portland Public Library on Wednesday, June 18 5:30-7pm.
Singing the Land at the Eastern Cemetery on Sunday, June 22 11:30-12:15pm.
Walking the Water at Willard Beach on Sunday June 22 12:30-6pm.
For more information about these events check out Portland Public Library calendar and follow @juneteenth_portland_me on Instagram for a map of statewide Juneteenth events, a Pride X Juneteenth Block party playlist, & more!
