WALDOBORO — The Waldo Theatre in Waldoboro has announced the expansion of their Board of Directors to include two more seats, which have been filled by two community members.

“Maya Crosby and Michael Amico each have impressive credentials in academia and hope to contribute to ensuring the future success and sustainability of The Waldo Theatre for the community of Waldoboro,” said The Waldo, in a news release.

Michael Amico and his husband, Conrad Winslow, a classical composer from Alaska, were thrilled to learn about The Waldo Theatre, and admit it was part of what drew them to Waldoboro, according to the release. They moved from Berlin, Germany in 2023, where Amico was a Research Scientist at the Center for the History of Emotions at the Max Planck Institute for Human Development. Amico holds a PhD in American Studies from Yale University. His work demonstrates the central role queer performance, beauty, and art play in inspiring compassion for others. He has been employing artistic structures and techniques as mediums for research and writing, drawing on his experience as an actor and theater practitioner. He is also a co-author, with Michael Bronski and Ann Pellegrini, of the book You Can Tell Just by Looking: And 20 Other Myths about LGBT Life and People, a finalist for the Lambda Literary Award in Nonfiction.

When asked what it was that inspired this commitment, Amico responded: “The institution of theater has been central to society, shedding light on humanity and providing subtle reflections of change. The most expansive and inclusive kinds of change call for large theatrical gestures. The intimate space of The Waldo, located at the geographical center of our community, affords life-affirming opportunities to feel differently about the world and begin to change it.”

Maya Crosby is an esteemed educator who has spent much of her career in STEM curriculum design, development, and instruction, according to The Waldo. She is presently the director of Applied Learning at Lincoln Academy, focused on connecting students to local resources and engaging them in community-based applied learning. She has designed and taught courses such as The Science of Cooking, Science and Literature, the History of Medicine, and Biomimicry and Design. Her innovation and creativity have earned her multiple awards, including the ACTEM Technology Leader of the Year Award in 2014 and a nomination for the Harold McGraw Prize in Education in 2021.

Says Crosby, “I love to bring science to all learners by making it authentic for them. My objective has been to develop and implement creative, innovative learning programs and to foster culturally responsive learning environments. I look forward to contributing to the success of The Waldo Theatre, particularly finding new ways to support and enhance their education programs.”

In addition, Maia Zewert and Shanna Castner, board members who were elected to one-year terms in 2023, have been newly elected to three year terms.

The Waldo brings live music, theater, movies, dance, and educational programs to Midcoast Maine year-round. Offerings range from community theater to nationally and internationally known performers. A historic performance venue with near perfect acoustics, The Waldo provides an intimate setting beloved by performers and audiences alike. Advanced technological capacity brings the world to Waldoboro (and vice versa) through live streaming. As a community-based organization, The Waldo’s focus is to unify and strengthen the community through performing arts, educational programs, and collaboration with other local non-profits.