Ross Gay Submitted photo by Natasha Komoda

Acclaimed poet Ross Gay and author Sam Stephenson will come together for a unique event from 6-8 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 27, at the Forum at Oxford Hills Comprehensive High School. With a shared history of deep conversations about art, storytelling, and human connection, Gay and Stephenson will dive into topics ranging from writing and documentary work to gardening, and the art of listening. This event is an opportunity to experience two dynamic thinkers in dialogue, offering fresh insights into creativity and the world around us.

Gay, best known for his bestselling collections “The Book of Delights” and “Inciting Joy,” has captivated readers with his profound reflections on everyday life. His work, which blends personal narrative with larger cultural and social questions, invites audiences to reconsider the beauty found in small, ordinary moments. Gay will be joined on stage by his longtime friend and collaborator,  Stephenson, a writer whose work also defies traditional genre boundaries. Together, they will reflect on their shared concept of “lyric research” — a term Gay used to describe Stephenson’s immersive storytelling methods, which mirror poetry’s attentiveness to detail and nuance.

The evening will also feature special guest poet Gibson Fay-LeBlanc, the award-winning author of “Deke Dangle Dive.”

This event marks the fifth and final event of the Norway Opera House’s 2024 Event Series.

Tickets are $35 and available through Eventbrite. Student discounts are available. For more information, email info@norwayoperahouse.org.

The Norway Opera House, located in the heart of downtown Norway, is a historic cultural landmark dedicated to preserving and promoting the arts within the community. Through a wide range of events, performances, and educational programs, the Opera House continues to serve as a vibrant hub for creativity and community engagement. The NOH is actively raising funds needed to bring the second and third-floor performance spaces back to a fully functioning opera house and ensure its place in the community for generations to come. For more information on this project, visit norwayoperahouse.org.