Feature: BANGOR HOMESCHOOL PLAYERS

Even though the school year is coming to a close, many students are starting to make decisions about the next one. Along with trying to decide which classes to take, they are also considering which extracurricular activities they would like to be involved with. For homeschooled students, this can be an isolating experience as most public schools do not offer them opportunities to take part in theatre, sports or other activities.

One organization in Bangor, Maine is aware of this need and is doing something about it. The Bangor Homeschool Players is a theatre troupe for homeschooled students. It offers homeschoolers the opportunity to pursue their interests in theatre while giving them valuable social interactions. It is a fairly new organization as it began with its first show, "The Secret Garden," which ran during the fall of 2016.

The idea for this organization came from Director Danielle Hines' own experience. She was homeschooled as a child and has had a love of theatre since then. She never had the chance to pursue this interest until taking part in a community theatre production in southern Maine during the summer of 2016. Upon her return to Bangor, she formed the Bangor Homeschool Players.

"We provide fun, supportive drama experiences for the community," Hines said.

To get involved with the Bangor Homeschool Players, you must audition for individual shows. Hines does this in order to cast the best actors to play certain roles while keeping the group as inclusive as possible. Although the focus is on homeschooling families, children and adults of all ages and abilities can try out for plays, even if they are not homeschooled.

Hines hopes to do two shows per year, one in the fall and one in the spring. The next show, "Peter Pan," will be held on Friday, May 12th at 6 p.m. and Saturday, May 13th at 6 p.m. Both performances will take place at Hermon Baptist Church in Hermon, Maine. The cost of admission is free, but there is a suggested donation of any amount to the Child Evangelism Fellowship of Maine. For more information or to get involved with the Bangor Homeschool Players, you may email Danielle Vines at: dellanightingale@yahoo.com.

To post a comment, you must register and login.