Ep. 313: Fire Island's Queer Theater Renaissance: Matt Freeman on Change Arts & the Fire Island Theatre Festival — Everything & Anything...and a bit gay Podcast

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)

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