Episode Details

Guest: Matt Freeman — theater educator, arts administrator, and founder of Change Arts

• Growing up in the On Tour Company magnet theater program in Belmore/Merrick, NY
• Being closeted alongside other gay classmates in the '90s vs. kids coming out today
• Coming out to his parents the same night his father later came out too — on Fire Island, at nearly 70
• How Matt found Fire Island through his husband Adam, and their move from weekly rentals to homeownership in Cherry Grove
• Fire Island's queer theatrical history: 1930s Broadway "theater people," the 1938 hurricane, and how lesbians preserved Cherry Grove's queer identity during the AIDS crisis
• The difference between Cherry Grove and Fire Island Pines
• Founding Change Arts and rethinking arts education around conversation, not just performance
• findyourart.org, a tool helping teachers match the right art form to their students
• The new Fire Island Theatre Festival (Fitfest), September 23–27:
  • Wed 9/23 — local playwrights' works performed by Fire Island actors
  • Thu 9/24 — National Queer Theater performances
  • Fri 9/25 — Songs of the Sand, featuring three Fire Island-based composers honoring Jerry Herman
  • Sat–Sun 9/26–27 — Marathon Theater Weekend with walking tours and more
• Adopting his 15-year-old daughter, with finalization expected in January
• Where 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

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