On Oct. 11, millions of people all over the world celebrated the 30th Annual National Coming Out Day. Coming Out Day is known as a nation-wide celebration for non-conforming and LGBTQ people, and a celebration for love and freedom.

The University of Maine honors this day with week-long festivities know as Coming Out Week from Oct. 15 19. The celebration includes multiple events every day of the week, run by UMaine’s LGBTQ Services and the Wild Stein: Queer Straight Alliance.

The week’s events began Monday, Oct. 15, with an HIV risk/safety workshop in the Rainbow Resource Center. The event was followed by a pride flag-raising ceremony on the university Mall at noon. Dozens of staff and students gathered around the flagpole out front of the library to listen to faculty speak about the importance of the week and the significance of the raising of the flag. Vice President for Student Affairs and Dean of Students Robert Dana and Silvestre Guzman of the Office of Multicultural Student Life both spoke about the annual flag raising and the importance of making students feel loved, accepted and important.

“Raising the flag on our campus is very symbolic. It is affirming an inclusive community for non-binary folks on campus,” Guzman said.

The flag raised on Monday is new now featuring both brown and black stripes to celebrate not only the LGBTQ community, but also every student of every ethnic identity, background and sexual orientation. The ceremony was followed by an event in the Rainbow Resource Center at 3 p.m. titled Trans 101/Trans in College.

On Tuesday, the Rainbow Resource Center held several events and activities in celebration of Coming Out Week. A self-care workshop was held at 11 a.m. by the Mind Spa, followed by their weekly Tunes Tuesday meeting at 3 p.m. Students also had the ability to make their own colorful crafts and pride flag-orientated decorations in the Resource Center throughout the day.

Other events during the week included the Coming Out Monologues on Wednesday, Oct. 17 at 7 p.m. in the North Pod of Memorial Union, and a walk on the Mall titled “Walk With the Ones You Love” on Thursday.

“I think it’s great that we have so many different activities and events on campus,” fourth-year student Isaac Yeboah said. “My brother and I have been reading all the flyers and postings located on the Mall that have stories and information on them. I have never read such unique and interesting things. This week has been a great experience.”

On Friday, Oct. 19 at 7 p.m. in the North Pod of the Memorial Union, poet Lacey Roop preformed spoken word poetry and interacted with students. Lacey’s poetry was introduced by Jane Pappas, the graduate assistant of LGBTQ services. Monique Flynn, a UMaine Intermedia MFA graduate student, opened for Lacey by reciting four of her own spoken word poems. These included “The Evolution of a Fem,” “Queer Girls Ride Motorcycles,” “Assigned Seating,” and “Gas Station.” Both poets shared their own stories and inspirations for their poetry, and answered questions from students and staff.

LGBTQ Services offers many resources on and off campus for all students including gender neutral restroom locations, inclusive-housing options and substance abuse resources.

Taking the world by storm, “To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before” is a Netflix original film that has turned into not only one of the most popular movies on the streaming service, but also a not-so-secret guilty pleasure of college students across America.

The film stars Noah Centineo, Lana Condor, Israel Broussard, Janel Parrish, King Bach and many other well known young adult actors. This romantic comedy packs a punch with interesting characters, a complex plot and surprising twists that viewers will never see coming.

The main character Lara Jean, played by Lana Condor, is a high school student who struggles to navigate the life of a 16-year-old girl. While she tries to create new memories and start her junior year off on the right foot, her past comes back to haunt her when younger sister Kitty (Anna Cathcart) finds a box of letters hidden in Lara’s closet. Within this box are personal letters addressed to every crush Lara Jean has had since childhood. When Kitty makes the decision to send these letters out to each boy, Lara is forced to confront the past and relive some boy-crazy, and often embarrassing moments from her past.

What makes this seemingly simple high school flick so appealing to men and women in college and of every age? Not only can you sit down and watch the movie and have all of your questions answered by the end of the film, you are able to follow Lara Jean through 1 hour and 39 minutes of emotional outbursts, sweet sister moments and happy and energetic scenes. It also includes many other relatable aspects that make it an easy and carefree watch.

Lara deals with many of the same issues, fears, worries and struggles that high school students today have to overcome. The film discusses issues such as body image, the female perspective, self-consciousness and many other relevant topics that are present in today’s media and culture. The seemingly light-hearted film introduces a lot of issues that teens face, and puts it in an easy-to-understand perspective.

The film has already accumulated millions of views, and fans of the franchise have signed petitions and sent in letters to encourage the producers to make a sequel that would also appear on Netflix. The movie, originally released Aug. 17 was directed by Susan Johnson, and is based on a book by Jenny Han that was adapted for the screen by Sofia Alvarez.

The next time you are scrolling through the “Most Popular” section on Netflix and come across “To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before,” press play.

At the heart of the University of Maine’s campus, second-year student Katherine Reardon sat on the lawn and took in the scenery. Before her sat hundreds of UMaine students bustling about, full of energy and school spirit. Each one ready to recruit new members for their clubs. Reardon has done this once before as a first-year student, but this year’s fair had a different feeling.

On Wednesday, Sept. 5, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., hundreds of students gathered on the mall with banners, fliers, photos and smiles. Each club and organization was assigned a table and area of the mall. Groups arrived before the event to set up and get ready to take part in UMaine’s annual Student Organization Fair. The purpose of the fair is to introduce new and returning students to the wide variety of activities and opportunities that are available at UMaine, and get people involved and active in the school community. Many incoming freshman use the fair as a way to meet new people, learn more about the clubs that interest them, and ask questions about leadership opportunities.

“Looking through the lens of someone who is visiting UMaine’s campus for the first time, or as an incoming freshman, it is easy to see that you might be overwhelmed by the huge number of clubs and activities the school has to offer,” third-year transfer student Mary Ellen O’Leary said. “We participate in this event as club members and leaders in order to help take some of the stress off of new students coming to campus and to bring the opportunities to them.”

Clubs and organizations such as the Dance Club, Engineering Club, the UMaine Crew Team and others had displays along the entire length of the mall. Students sat in chairs and around tables to answer questions, give advice and hand out information and meeting dates. These groups shared a similar goal: bringing a positive and exciting new energy to the campus. Volunteers from each group took turns manning their tables and welcoming each of the students who made their way onto the mall to check out the fair.  

“The warm and welcoming atmosphere made students eager and excited to walk around and see what each table was all about,” Reardon said. “Every year, coming to the fair is such a rewarding and great experience.”

Sororities and fraternities were also tabling during the fair, as well as intramural and club sports teams. Theta Chi, Tau Kappa Epsilon, Chi Omega, and Alpha Gamma Ro were among the many Greek life organizations who attended the event.

“It’s a great way to get everyone together, meet new people and spend time with friends. It also introduces freshman and underclassmen to all that UMaine has to offer,” second-year student Hannah Dubuc said. “As someone who is a part of multiple clubs and groups on campus, I was proud to see so many people coming out to represent their organization and to show newer students what their club is all about.”

The fair introduces students to the organizations and clubs on our campus. Gathering on the mall united each unique group for a day of frisbee tossing, lawn games, sun rays, and cute dogs.

“It is quite a spectacle to see everyone out on the mall setting up dozens of tables. The day is filled with high energy and smiling faces. A lot of people are eager to answer student questions and get new members interested in their club,” Dubuc said. “It was a little overwhelming as a freshman to navigate through the maze of tables and figure out which clubs were right for me, but coming back as a sophomore made the experience much more comfortable and rewarding.”

For more information on UMaine’s clubs and organizations, please visit http://www.umaine.edu/case/student-organizations or check out fliers and bulletin boards located all around campus.

On Friday, April 27, University of Maine students gathered on the mall with signs and voices ready to be heard at the annual Slut Walk.

At 12:30 p.m., members of the UMaine Feminist Collective along with other organizations and volunteers met with one goal: to get people to take notice and see what they have to say. Many of the women involved in the walk chose to protest rape culture and the sexual harassment of women by wearing revealing and provocative clothing.

“Slut Walk is a way for us to promote consent and safety on our campus, by publicly showing that our bodies belong to us, and us alone,” Taylor Cray, a second-year student and vice president of the Feminist Collective, said. “It does not matter what a person is wearing, where they are, or what their level of intoxication is. No one is ever entitled to another person’s body without their consent.”

The event, originally hosted in Toronto, Canada in 2011, was created and held in response to the increasing popularity of rape news in the media. When a politician made a remark about women dressing like “sluts,” a group of men and women in Toronto took notice. They decided to speak out against the comments, and the Slut Walk was born.

“We want to make it known that sexual assault is never the victim’s fault. The Slut Walk is a huge, public representation of those ideals,” Meghan Frisard, fourth-year student and President of the Feminist Collective, said.

As part of the annual “Beautiful Week” hosted by the Feminist Collective, the event is meant to be a yearly reminder of the dangers and warning signs of sexual assault, violence, and harassment, and to let people know that dressing a certain way has no reflection on consent. The Feminist Collective members were there to inform students of what was going on, to speak their thoughts, answer questions and spread positivity and a feeling of equality.

“It is important for women on college campuses to know that they have a safe space in which they can express themselves as they please while they are learning to become who they are,” Cray said. “I encourage everyone to do more research surrounding Slut Walk as a movement, and to be aware of the fact that this event is not solely about one person or one place. This event is part of a movement to encourage individuals to speak out against sexual violence, and it is meant to be disruptive.”

Students and faculty stood on the mall watching the event. Some spoke with members and volunteers about their experiences, joining them with signs and posters.

“Beautiful Week,” otherwise known as the “Beautiful Project 2018” began on April 23, and included not only the Slut Walk, but also Body Positive tabling, the Women’s Resource Center clothes swap, a spa day and a sexual education workshop. Other events put on by the organization throughout the year include Take Back the Night, Out of Silence, the Vagina Monologues and many other campaigns, discussions and speak outs meant to raise awareness about women’s experiences in today’s society.

“Walking past this event on the mall on my way to class, I immediately felt such a sense of pride for all of the brave women standing up and participating,” Alison Cyr, a second-year student said. “It’s great to see students on campus standing up for what’s right and letting their voices be heard.”

Hollywood’s latest mixture of drama, science-fiction and horror took movie theaters all across the country by storm with fans pouring in to see “A Quiet Place.” John Krasinski, most known for being the frontrunner of “The Office” and “The Girl On The Train” star Emily Blunt are the leading actors of the movie, who are married both on and off-screen. This hour and a half long movie takes twists and turns that surprise viewers and leave them wanting more.

The movie centers around a family of four who live in a remote house isolated from other humans. Blunt and Krasinski star as Evelyn and Lee Abbott, parents to kids Regan (Millicent Simmonds) and Marcus (Noah Jupe).The family lives in silence, never making noise that’s above a whisper. Early on in the movie, the audience members learn that this is because the “creatures” who have taken over the world and killed off most of the population have a very strong sense of hearing, but cannot see. This family of four struggles to survive in a world where humans are quickly being eradicated, encountering these creatures every single time someone makes even the quietest of noises.

Although we are unsure of the specific time period the movie is set in, it can be inferred as sometime in the near future.The film was released in the United States for the first time at the South by Southwest Film Festival on March 9, 2018.

The small cast of main characters and simple setting added to the drama and suspense of the film, as well as the positive reactions from the audience. The most unique quality about this type of horror film was the lack of sound, which created tension and suspense on screen, and also in the seats of the theater. The actors and actresses in the movie all communicate by whispers and sign language, making the only sounds heard throughout the entire film the cries and yells of the “creatures” coming to attack the humans. This stylistic and bold choice was well-executed by the makers of the film, and succeeded in making each scene even more terrifying and reaction-evoking from the audience.

As a lover of horror movies and science fiction, watching this for the first time was a new experience. The realistic graphics of the “creatures” blended seamlessly into the realistic world in which the Abbotts lived, making it look as if these monsters were on Earth in real life. Screams and shouting from the audience added to the overall dramatic effect, and viewers left the theater raving nonstop about this one-of-a-kind film.

Krasinski not only acted as a main character in the film, but also directed this horror movie in hopes of creating a movie unlike any other ones people might have seen. The quiet background music, realistic country-style home setting and dramatic build-up of events made for an interesting mix, and allowed viewers to jump into the world of the Abbotts like they were right there in their home.

Hollywood’s latest mixture of drama, science-fiction and horror took movie theaters all across the country by storm with fans pouring in to see “A Quiet Place.” John Krasinski, most known for being the frontrunner of “The Office” and “The Girl On The Train” star Emily Blunt are the leading actors of the movie, who are married both on and off-screen. This hour and a half long movie takes twists and turns that surprise viewers and leave them wanting more.

The movie centers around a family of four who live in a remote house isolated from other humans. Blunt and Krasinski star as Evelyn and Lee Abbott, parents to kids Regan (Millicent Simmonds) and Marcus (Noah Jupe).The family lives in silence, never making noise that’s above a whisper. Early on in the movie, the audience members learn that this is because the “creatures” who have taken over the world and killed off most of the population have a very strong sense of hearing, but cannot see. This family of four struggles to survive in a world where humans are quickly being eradicated, encountering these creatures every single time someone makes even the quietest of noises.

Although we are unsure of the specific time period the movie is set in, it can be inferred as sometime in the near future.The film was released in the United States for the first time at the South by Southwest Film Festival on March 9, 2018.

The small cast of main characters and simple setting added to the drama and suspense of the film, as well as the positive reactions from the audience. The most unique quality about this type of horror film was the lack of sound, which created tension and suspense on screen, and also in the seats of the theater. The actors and actresses in the movie all communicate by whispers and sign language, making the only sounds heard throughout the entire film the cries and yells of the “creatures” coming to attack the humans. This stylistic and bold choice was well-executed by the makers of the film, and succeeded in making each scene even more terrifying and reaction-evoking from the audience.

As a lover of horror movies and science fiction, watching this for the first time was a new experience. The realistic graphics of the “creatures” blended seamlessly into the realistic world in which the Abbotts lived, making it look as if these monsters were on Earth in real life. Screams and shouting from the audience added to the overall dramatic effect, and viewers left the theater raving nonstop about this one-of-a-kind film.

Krasinski not only acted as a main character in the film, but also directed this horror movie in hopes of creating a movie unlike any other ones people might have seen. The quiet background music, realistic country-style home setting and dramatic build-up of events made for an interesting mix, and allowed viewers to jump into the world of the Abbotts like they were right there in their home.

On Saturday, April 15 at 6:30 p.m., University of Maine students packed the Alfond Arena to get ready for the annual Maine Day concert, “The Maine Event.” The concert featured artists Lupe Fiasco, Action Bronson and Felly.

Lupe Fiasco, a rapper and businessman from Chicago, Illinois, took the stage as the headlining act for the night. He has produced six studio albums and 19 singles, including well-known “The Show Goes On,” which he performed at the end of the concert.

The stage was assembled on the floor of the Alfond Arena, which included light fixtures, tables, walkways, speakers and an area for the performers and DJs to stand. Hundreds of eager students walked through the front entrance before show time, and the bright smiles and eager faces added to the upbeat atmosphere of the arena, and the energy of the crowd and performers. Students held phone flashlights up in the air, as well as hats and other memorabilia, which added to the feeling of unity felt throughout the night.

“I wasn’t sure how the concert was going to go, considering it was moved to the Alfond and wasn’t the night before Maine Day. I had a great time though, and I loved the performers and the atmosphere,” second-year student Olivia Bristol said. “I think it’s great that our school sets up these activities and events for the students, and gets everyone together for a fun night.”

Vice President for Student Entertainment Jared Dumas shared student governments pride in the success in the event in a message.

“Changing the concert venue back to the Alfond was not the first choice of Student Entertainment, but we worked with the situation we we’re [were] presented with. The show was a great success and many of the issues that the administration and the community had with the previous event were avoided, “ Dumas wrote. “We hope to be able to have outdoor events again in the future, but we are quite proud of our event and the potential avenues it may lead to in the future.”

Felly, otherwise known as Christian Felner, is a rapper and producer from Connecticut who took the stage as the opening act for the night around 7:40 p.m., introducing himself and his DJ to the crowd. Felly first performed his No. 1 song on iTunes, titled “Desert Eagle,” from his album “Young Fel.” He also sang his new song titled, “Murder” and “Bang and get it over with” as well as many other top charts from his recent albums.

“As someone who has always admired Felly, and looked up to him as a performer, it was great to see him live on the stage. The colorful lights, multiple sets of speakers and great vibes from the crowd made the night memorable,” first-year student Ethan O’Rourke said.

Action Bronson, known for his rapping, acting and writing, continued the night by singing a few of his well-known songs, including “Amadu Diablo,” singles from his album, “Blue Chips 7000” and “Baby Blue,” from his album, “Mr. Wonderful.” Bronson wrapped up his set at 9:30 p.m.

“The atmosphere of the concert was very welcoming and safe, everyone seemed to be having a good time and enjoying the music,” first-year student Aidan Lurgio said. “It was nice to be able to get close to the stage in the center of the arena, but also have the chance to hang out and talk with friends in the stadium seats and other areas of the building.”

Staff and members of the Student Government and other school organizations planned the event and made sure everything ran smoothly. Police officers, University Ambulance Corps (UVAC) and security were stationed at the entrance of the Alfond Arena, as well as around the building to ensure student and audience safety.

Lupe Fiasco finished off the night as the last performer of the concert, beginning his set with songs “Go Go Gadget Flow,” “Chopper” and “Jump.” Walking out with sunglasses, a bright red sweatshirt, and his face hidden behind long brown hair, Fiasco made an entrance grabbing every students attention and packing fans close together at the front of the stage.

“Before seeing him live, I knew who Lupe Fiasco was, but never really listened to his music. After hearing him and Felly perform, it made me a huge fan and I am excited to listen to more,” second-year student Alison Cyr said. “Each of the artists put on a great performance and engaged the crowd with interesting techniques and special effects on stage.”

Many students lined up outside the door to the arena before the event started, eager to find a spot close to the stage and enjoy a night of music and fun. Tickets for the concert were distributed in the Memorial Union weeks prior to the day of the show by members of Student Government. The concert ended around 11:15 p.m., and students filed out of the arena singing their favorite songs of the night and reminiscing in the memories of the event.

As performers put on their costumes and finished last minute touch-ups, Director Nathan Reeves, a fourth-year student, took one last look out at the empty seats before the doors opened and the audience arrived.

With only five weeks to rehearse, and three weeks to practice on the stage, Reeves brought together seven cast members for Maine Masque’s performance of “Eurydice,” a tragic and equally comedic play based off Greek mythological stories. The show ran from Thursday, April 13 at 7:30 p.m. to the final matinee at 2 p.m. on Sunday, April 15 at the Hauck Auditorium. Admission was $10 or free for students with their MaineCards.

Eurydice is a female character in Greek mythology who is known for being the daughter of Apollo, and for marrying her husband Orpheus, who possesses a gift for music. This ancient Greek myth was revived into a modern-day love story in the Maine Masque adaptation of the play. Maine Masque is a student-led theater group at the University of Maine, known for their plays and productions featuring college students. Founded in 1907, it was originally known as the UMaine Dramatic Club before becoming Maine Masque.

“This great rendition of a Greek tragedy [that] took a lot of rehearsing and planning,” Reeves said. “The rehearsal process has been quite a journey. Reading this play for the first time over a year ago, it’s exciting to see that we have come all this way. It has been so rewarding to have the chance to direct this production and work with people [whom] I trust and love. This has been a once in a lifetime opportunity, and I couldn’t be happier with how it’s turned out.”

This was Reeves’ first directorial debut as a part of the university’s annual student-run production. Cast and crew of Eurydice are all students at UMaine, including the stage managers, make-up artists, costume designers and set creators. The show included one hour and eight minutes of drama, love, laughter and special effects.

“Theater is so important. It is such a great learning experience to just come and enjoy a show, and see how everything is set up and comes together live on stage,” third-year student Liz Piotrowski said. “I loved the show, and for such a short production it held my attention at every moment and was one of the best I have seen at the school.” Piotrowski enjoyed the show so much that she attended it two nights in a row.

Each cast member stood out on stage and played large roles within a small and intimate group setting.

“We are definitely a family. With this show in particular, we were able to try new things and explore with what we can do, especially with our characters,” second-year student Rose Michelson said. “Overall it was an amazing experience, and it was awesome to get to watch everything come together.”

The unique and simplistic setting of the show included a textured backdrop cluttered with pieces of paper. These papers represented letters that Eurydice and Orpheus, as well as Eurydice’s father, wrote in the story, during the course of the hour long performance. The majority of the play took place onstage in the “underworld,” and also off-stage in the modern, “real” world, identified by a backdrop and a well. The use of confetti, a raining elevator, stilts and stone-like characters painted in grey made the show stand out.

“We love to keep the audience engaged in a spectacle that they weren’t prepared for,” third-year student Mackenzie Peacock said. “Our characters in this small cast bring energy and craziness to the stage in such a unique way.”

The cast spent hours before showtime prepping the stage, trying on costumes and getting their hair and makeup done. Makeup artist Noah Lovejoy did the makeup of main characters Eurydice and Orpheus, and covered three cast members in powder and paint as a part of their roles as “stones.”

“The program here is very welcoming, and is such a friendly environment,” Peacock said. “It was intimidating at first, but it’s so fun to meet new people and become close with the other cast members and make new memories. We even covered ourselves in paint. As a stone character in the play, we do crazy things like paint ourselves grey, and it really just adds to the magic of theater.”

Music is a crucial element to surviving the ups and downs of growing up and getting through the college years. It is an important part of today’s culture and society; our generation revolves around the development and technological advancements in the world that impact the kind of music we listen to in this day and age. Growing up as a young adult, music is often introduced to us at a young age. It is seen as a positive and uplifting piece of American culture and tradition. One specific genre, modern country music, is usually a hit or a miss, either loved or hated. Located in a rural northern part of the United States, Orono is a small town where country music is largely underappreciated.

On March 23, 2018, the Canadian group High Valley unleashed a raw, emotionally-charged sixth album to the public titled “Farmhouse Sessions.” The album includes acoustic versions of many songs which were included in their previous album released in 2016 titled “Dear Life.” Country lovers in the area have been replaying High Valley’s songs around campus in hopes of spreading the word and getting the album heard by more students.

Known as a popular country and bluegrass duo, brothers Brad and Curtis Rempel started their path to fame in the province of Alberta, Canada, having never even thought of bringing their music to America.The brothers signed with a United States record company, Atlantic Records Nashville, in 2015 and soon after became one of the leading country music groups in the country.

Two of the album’s most popular songs on iTunes, “She’s With Me” and “The Only,” introduced pop music fans to this country group’s unique sound. “She’s With Me” is a catchy, upbeat tune with a head-bobbing beat that incorporates a pop-like spin on traditional bluegrass and country music. By reaching out to fans of other music genres with this spin on country music, High Valley was able to become one of the top selling country duos on iTunes and other music apps.

The first two songs on the album, “I Be U Be” and “Make You Mine,” are emotional love songs with their own unique flavor and sound. The brothers incorporate both banjos and maracas on these tracks in order to make the music come alive and accompany the smooth and rugged acoustics of the Rempel brothers.

Each song on the album deals with the themes of love and heartbreak, and the short album includes seven tracks in total, most ranging around three minutes. Other tracks in the lineup include “Make You Mine,” “Memory Makin’,” “Roads We’ve Never Taken” and “Dear Life.” “Dear Life” completes the album, ending the collection with a high-energy, fast-paced ballad celebrating life and the fun of falling in love and meeting great friends.

Each song has its own sound, making it new and surprising. Whether it is a new instrument introduced, a high-energy guitar solo, or even a high note to end the chorus, there are twists and turns around every corner of this small album, and it packs a lot of punch.

The brothers are currently on their first headlining tour around parts of Europe and the United States. High Valley’s sixth album, “Farmhouse Sessions,” can be ordered on iTunes.

As he adjusted the lighting in the Innovative Media Research and Commercialization Center (IMRC), 59-year-old University of Maine student James Winters got ready for the weekly Tuesdays at the IMRC lecture series.

The IMRC sponsors an annual workshop series in the spring, which includes free events open to all UMaine students and local community members. The events are designed to enrich and encourage interest in technological as well as artistic fields of study. This year’s workshops were focused on a variety of different topics, ranging from art and design to lighting and electronic technique, and many other subjects that are offered at the IMRC. The IMRC also hosts guest speakers, readings, presentations, art exhibits, performances and other activities throughout the year.

On Thursday, March 29 at 2 p.m., Winters led a workshop on Performance Lighting, specifically on the lighting and design in the IMRC’s Adaptive Presentation (APPE) presentation space. Winters discussed and reviewed the lighting terms used within the space, as well as key observations and techniques implemented throughout the center. He walked students through the process of how to set up and prepare the lighting, audio, visual display and performance space, for specific events and activities.

The APPE space includes three separate systems of lighting, with lights 19 feet off the concrete floor. The center includes 16 spotlights, as well as multiple work lights and different colored lights to help balance out the color and brightness of the space. The IMRC also has multiple projectors located throughout the building, and a screen over 15 feet wide for presentations and videos.

“My job as an event technician involves a variety of different things,” Winters said. “As a student, I work for the IMRC and help with lighting, audio, safety oversight and organizing the setup for events. I also help to run workshops and work with other students to create new ideas and pieces of art. I also play instruments and create original plays and presentations on the side for the IMRC, as well as take pictures for the center.”

Along with receiving a bachelor’s degree at UMaine, Winters is working on his Master of Fine Arts (MFA) and is a part of a three member team at the IMRC that is involved in the graduate student Intermedia MFA program. For the last 12 years, this program has been giving students a chance to work for their tuition in the IMRC. Members of the program, including Winters, host and teach workshops, such as the Performance Lighting workshop, in order to spark interest and get students learning about art and technology.

“I really look up to and admire Owen Smith who also works in the IMRC as the director of the program. Along with working at the IMRC to pay for tuition, I also really love to compose and make music,” Winters said. “I am really interested in the idea of object scoring, as an experimental composer I like to take stuff other people would call meaningless junk, such as glass or rope, and make it into something beautiful as an instrument.”
Winters is in his third year of studying to receive his MFA, and hopes to continue being a musician as well as working in the IMRC until he gets his degree. He has participated in two performances at the IMRC so far this semester, one an original play he created himself. Winters also takes pictures and writes blog posts for the IMRC news site, and encourages students to come out and see what the IMRC has to offer.

“Everywhere you go, you have rules, fact checking, right answers. In this kind of art world at the IMRC, the rules are meant to be broken. When things go wrong, that’s when it gets fun,” Winters said. “The IMRC is a place at UMaine where judgement and guidelines go out the window, creative expression and freedom takes precedence over everything.”

For more information on lighting or career opportunities at the IMRC, please visit imrccenter.com or contact james.winters.@maine.edu. For the list of upcoming workshops and events at the IMRC, please visit imrccenter.com/programs/current-workshops/.