IN PERSON AT AUBURN-LEWISTON AIRPORT

One of the pressing issues of our time is social and political polarization in the United States. What causes polarization and what can we do to lessen it? Maine author Colin Woodard has addressed these questions in his book Nations Apart: How Clashing Regional Cultures Shattered America (Viking, 2025). In this class, we will spend four weeks reading Woodard's book and discussing his analysis of our polarization and his prescriptions for change. The book is available in hardcover, ebook and audio book formats. Many libraries in Maine own copies, but you may need to get on a waiting list to borrow it.  

Jean Potuchek holds a PhD in sociology from Brown University and spent 40 years teaching sociology and gender studies to college students. She is committed to using the insights of social science to understand contemporary social and political issues.  

IN PERSON AT THE LA METRO CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND THE LEWISTON PUBLIC THEATRE

Lewiston-Auburn Senior College is partnering with The Public Theatre to offer a unique opportunity for you to get a behind-the scenes look at an exciting new play called "Grandma Gatewood Took a Walk" based on the famous novel Grandma Gatewood’s Walk, a Pulitzer Prize finalist.  The Theatre will be offering us a sneak peek into the rehearsal process, including the chance to ask questions about the experience of how much work it takes to produce a play at a professional theatre.

In 1955 at the age of 67, Emma Gatewood told her children she was “going for a walk.” and set out with her duffel bag, shower curtain and a pair of Keds sneakers to walk the Appalachian Trail. Two thousand miles later, she became the first woman to solo hike 14 states from Georgia to the top of Mt Katahdin. Featuring flashbacks from her life as well as her time on the trail, don’t miss the New England premiere of this true and inspiring adventure celebrating the resiliency of the human spirit and the courage required to walk into the unknown.

Session one: Thursday April 23, 11:00-1:00, LA Chamber of Commerce Conference Room, 415 Lisbon Street, Lewiston (a short walk from the Public Theatre). A two-hour discussion about the themes and content of the play.  How does it differ from its source material?  How do we create the Appalachian Trail onstage, as well as the flashbacks from her life including her years of domestic abuse?  We will also include a sneak peek of set and costume designs for the play. After the discussion, we will travel over to the Public Theatre to see the set “in progress.”  Experience up close the amazing craftsmanship of the set designers and builders.

Session Two: Wednesday April 29 at the Public Theatre, 4-5 PM.  A Rehearsal Sneak Peek:  Attend a short piece of rehearsal to watch the script transition from page to stage.  See the Director work with the actors to make the story come to life.

Session Three:  Sunday May 10th, 2 PM.  Attend a matinee performance of Grandma Gatewood Took a Walk, followed by a post-show discussion with cast members, led by The Public Theatre’s Artistic Director, Janet Mitchko. (Cost of matinee ticket is covered by tuition for the course.). NOTE: This performance is on Mothers Day.  If you would prefer to attend a different performance, please contact the Box Office.  

Prerequisite Reading: Participants will be asked to read the play’s script prior to the first session.  It is available in one of two ways:

1. You may read it free on line at: https://thepublictheatre.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Grandma-Gatewood-Final-Draft-Script_PW.pdf.  Password (all lower case) is lapub2526. 

2. You can sign out one of 3 copies for 3 days at the Public Theatre.  Please call ahead to reserve the copy for pickup at 782-2211.

Ray Dumont is Executive Director of The Public Theatre in Lewiston, Maine 

Janet Mitchko is Artistic Director of The Public Theatre in Lewiston, Maine