“Good Trouble,” an all-original, performance work created by a Theatre UMF ensemble cast was inspired by the words and work of the late Congressman John Lewis. Submitted photo

FARMINGTON — University of Maine at Farmington students, faculty and staff came together this past October to create their regular fall theatrical production in an anything but regular year.
However, UMF cast and crew members, most of them students, were committed to creating a meaningful and thought-provoking production, in accordance with CDC guidelines, that the public could still appreciate and enjoy remotely.
“Everything is so restricted right now due to COVID, it was nice to still have this performance to continue creating and feel like there’s an impact being made with art. I think that’s important, too, because art is not only a gateway, but it is comforting during these strange times,” said Ciera Miller, UMF senior from Lisbon Falls and script writer.
“Good Trouble,” an all-original, performance work created by a Theatre UMF ensemble cast was inspired by the words and work of the late Congressman John Lewis, “Get in good trouble, necessary trouble and help redeem the soul of America.”
Directed by Jayne Decker, UMF theatre faculty and director, “Good Trouble” was created using masked, small group, socially-distanced rehearsals on a stage specially built by Stan Spilecki, UMF scenic and lighting director, to separate the actors.
“Part of online performance is basically relearning certain aspects of acting such as projection and connection with your fellow actor through masks and social distancing,” said Em Remington, UMF junior from Bennington, Vermont. “We had to adapt to keep each other safe, something that makes you appreciate what you’re passionate about even more as well as your theatre community.”
John Lewis knew what trouble was, a civil rights activist and leader all his adult life. He was one of the 13 original Freedom Riders, a group of black and white activists who rode on interstate buses to challenge segregation policies.
In 1963, he was one of the “Big Six” leaders who organized the march on Washington D.C.  He also led the first of three marches across the Edmund Pettus Bridge from Selma to Montgomery, Alabama, in 1965, to help end legalized racial segregation. Known as Bloody Sunday, that event was marred by police brutality where marchers, including Lewis, were attacked.
Throughout his life his courage and commitment to nonviolence and reconciliation helped him emerge as a leader in the movement for equal justice. On seeking truth, justice and equality, Lewis said, “When you see something that is not right, not fair, not just, you have to speak up. You have to say something; you have to do something.”
He was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1987 and served for 33 years until his death in 2020.
“Theatre can be a powerful force, often a mirror to its time or a reckoning with history,” said Jayne Decker, director.  “Sometimes the stage creates a story of place and its people, a play of ideas, an attempt to understand, to challenge or provoke, and sometimes we stand on the stage of common ground in compassion and understanding.  We learn as we go.”
Without the opportunity of an in-person performance due to the Covid-19 pandemic, this production was recorded by students and is available for public viewing on the UMF Mantor Library ScholarWorks website at: https://scholarworks.umf.maine.edu/performing_arts/1.
This Theatre UMF production is sponsored by the UMF Division of the Arts.
Cast and crew: note: student’s names include hometowns. Directed by jayne decker
production crew
Scene and lighting design by Stan Spilecki, technical director
Sound design by Joel Johnson, associate technical director
Film and videography by Tim Hupp, multimedia specialist and Joel Johnson
Stage manager and assistant director – Matty Bernard, senior from Farmington
Film editing by Samantha Taylor, senior from Farmington, and Sarah Otley, library specialist, Neil Nolette, senior from Dixfield, Miles Stevens senior from Norway, Nolan Crandall, senior from Bar Harbor
Ensemble cast (actors play multiple roles)
Valerie Sanborn, sophomore from Gray; Paige Tremblay, sophomore from Wells; Eli Mowry, junior from Kennebunk; Sophie Hendrix, senior from Gorham; Emalyn Remington, junior from Bennington, VT; Simoane Lowell, junior from Clinton; Grayson Koelbel, first-year from Winterport; Audrey Bradbury, senior from Eastport; Avery Jessen; Eilia McCulloch; Henry Wanat, senior from Parkman; Samantha Wood, senior from Franklin, N.H.
Student Writers: Ciera Miller, senior from Lisbon Falls, Sophie Hendrix, Emalyn Remington, Audrey Bradbury, Eila McCulloch, Simoane Lowell, and Samantha Wood.
Faculty Writers:Doug Rawlings, Jeffrey Thomson and Jayne Decker