LEWISTON — The world premiere of  “Molded by the Flow,”  a multimedia, interdisciplinary performance collaboration from the Libra Professorship at USM, the School of Music and departments of Theatre and Art, will premiere Friday and Saturday, April 14 and 15, at the Gendron Franco Center and will move to the Main Stage at Russell Hall on USM’s Gorham campus, from April 21-29.

“Molded by the Flow” is a poetic, visual and musical narrative inspired by Southern Maine’s rich natural and human history. The multimedia performance explores how the state’s rivers, ocean, weather, plants and animals have inspired diverse groups of people to inhabit the area, thereby shaping the landscape and history of Maine.

Under the guidance of visiting professor Paul Dresher and performance artist Rinde Eckert, students registered for classes in music, theatre and art, which have been dedicated to the creation of the show’s music, poetry, choreography and design. The instruments played in the performance were engineered and built by students as well.

About the show’s concept, Eckert said “my governing image is both abstract and worldly. From the watershed, the multiplicity of streams. As the streams move down the side of the mountain, some of them converge and the many streams become a few rivers, increasing in speed and power. The power of the river attracts a community, water becoming the shared resource at the center of a culture. Our communities are thereby molded by the flow.”

“Molded by the Flow” is made possible by the Libra Professorship at USM, with additional support from the USM Gorham Cultural Affairs Committee.

Franco Center performances: Friday, April 14, 7:30 p.m.; Saturday, April 15, 7:30 p.m.

USM-Gorham performances: Friday, April 21, 7:30 p.m.; Saturday, April 22, 2 p.m.; Sunday, April 23, 2 p.m.; Wednesday, April 26, 5 p.m.; Friday, April 28, 7:30 p.m. Saturday, April 29, 2 p.m.

Performances for schools: Thursday, April 13, 10 a.m. as the Franco Center; Friday, April 21, 10 a.m., at Russell Hall, USM Gorham. Teachers may contact the Franco Center or USM with requests.

Tickets are $15 for the general public; $11 seniors/USM employees/alumni; $8 students.

Those needing special accommodations to participate fully in this program may contact Lori Arsenault, 207-780-5142, loria@maine.edu. Hearing impaired: call USM’s telex/TDD number 207-780-5646.

FMI: USM box office: call 207-780-5151.

See a preview at: www.youtube.com/watch?v=FFdqvSoDG9s.

University of Southern Maine’s Libra Professor, Paul Dresher, and guest artist Rinde Eckert preparing for “Molded by the Flow,” a unique multi-disciplinary performance exploring Maine, its heritage, industries, and environment, past, present and future. Featuring the work of USM students and faculty from the Departments of Art, Theatre and the School of Music. 

University of Southern Maine’s Libra Professor, Paul Dresher, and guest artist Rinde Eckert preparing for  “Molded by the Flow,” a unique multi-disciplinary performance exploring Maine, its heritage, industries, and environment, past, present and future. Featuring the work of USM students and faculty from the Departments of Art, Theatre and the School of Music.

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