IN PERSON

For many people, the later years of life turn out to be the happiest, richest, and most meaningful.This course will explore factors which help us find satisfaction and meaning as we age. We will examine research about aging and happiness, identify some common barriers to happiness, explore possible resources for finding richness and meaning in later life, look at the role of sorrow and loss, and consider the challenges and opportunities of living alone. Our goal is to share information and insights that will help all of us enhance the qualty of our lives as we age.  

Jean Potuchek holds a PhD in Sociology from Brown University and, before her retirement, spent 25 years as an award-winning teacher of sociology and women’s studies at Gettysburg College.

Bill earned his BA degree at Brown and a Masters in Adult Education at USM. He taught for 31 years at CMCC before retiring and living in central Mexico and teaching English for five years before returning to Maine.  

IN PERSON

Maine Inside Out (MIO) facilitates theater workshops for groups of youth and adults. These highly interactive workshops offer games and exercises that deepen our understanding of ourselves and our social conditions. The workshops draw on MIO’s core pedagogy of Theater of the Oppressed and other creative and movement practices we’ve learned from teachers and artists. Workshop participants will experience the ways we create original theater with groups in schools, prisons, and communities. Participants will leave the workshop having had the opportunity to experience theater as a tool for building trust and deepening dialogue within their community.

MIO's mission is to ignite collective creativity and inspire social change by engaging youth and adults impacted by systemic oppression to create and share original theater. MIO envisions communities and systems that see each person’s humanity, our shared connection, and our place in the natural world. Our vision is to transform a culture of punishment and isolation to one that thrives in connection, dignity and accountability.