Ep. 313: Fire Island's Queer Theater Renaissance: Matt Freeman on Change Arts & the Fire Island Theatre Festival

Guest: Matt Freeman — theater educator, arts administrator, and founder of Change ArtsGrowing up in the On Tour Company magnet theater program in Belmore/Merrick, NYBeing closeted alongside other gay classmates in the '90s vs. kids coming out todayComing out to his parents the same night his father later came out too — on Fire Island, at nearly 70How Matt found Fire Island through his husband Adam, and their move from weekly rentals to homeownership in Cherry GroveFire Island's queer theatrical history: 1930s Broadway "theater people," the 1938 hurricane, and how lesbians preserved Cherry Grove's queer identity during the AIDS crisisThe difference between Cherry Grove and Fire Island PinesFounding Change Arts and rethinking arts education around conversation, not just performancefindyourart.org, a tool helping teachers match the right art form to their studentsThe new Fire Island Theatre Festival (Fitfest), September 23–27:Wed 9/23 — local playwrights' works performed by Fire Island actorsThu 9/24 — National Queer Theater performancesFri 9/25 — Songs of the Sand, featuring three Fire Island-based composers honoring Jerry HermanSat–Sun 9/26–27 — Marathon Theater Weekend with walking tours and moreAdopting his 15-year-old daughter, with finalization expected in JanuaryWhere to learn more: changearts.org and findyourart.org (tickets)Attend Fitfest: https://www.changearts.org/fit-fest Follow Change Arts on IG: https://www.instagram.com/changeartsorg/ https://www.changearts.org/ https://findyourart.org/  Podcast song by SIXFOOT 5: https://www.sixfoot5prod.com Apple: https://music.apple.com/us/artist/sixfoot-5/1551774977 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/5rHMzoU0G0fLhaBsrQiOOY?si=laSZ5hiKTYubJJyhrzf2JQ Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.