Everybody’s Talking About a Place Where We Belong: A Panel Discussion about Gender, Sexuality, and the Power of the Arts

WHITEFIELD, NH—Join the Weathervane Theatre and Whitefield Public Library for a post-show panel after the Tuesday, August 6 performance of Everybody’s Talking About Jamie as they discuss some of the history of gender fluidity, identity, and the importance of the arts for kids who don’t always fit in. The panel, facilitated by Courtney Vashaw, director of the Whitefield Public Library, will feature Everybody’s Talking About Jamie star Blair St. Clair, Weathervane Theatre Producing Artistic Director Ethan Paulini, and other members of the Weathervane company.

“What we are hearing from kids is that there is a great deal of misinformation in the greater community that being trans is a “fad,” that existing outside the gender binary is “new.” And after the North Country made international news last year over censorship and LGBT issues, young people were feeling the dissonance intensely,” says Vashaw.

A presentation by the North Country Health Consortium about the high rates of depression and suicidal ideation by this group, especially in the North Country, highlighted the need for education and resources. The library was subsequently awarded a $1000 mini-grant by North Country Pride, intending that the money be used toward programming for LGBTQIA+ youth.

Vashaw contacted Weathervane Artistic Director Ethan Paulini about a potential collaboration. With the global regional premiere of Everybody’s Talking About Jamie, Paulini felt his company was the perfect fit to participate in the greater dialogue. 

“You are welcome to be yourself here at the Weathervane,” said Paulini. “It is paramount that we not only entertain our audiences but embrace them for who they are and let them know they belong.”

Jamie is a funny, fabulous, feel-good musical sensation celebrating acceptance, belonging, and the power of unconditional love. Despite obstacles, 16-year-old Jamie (RuPaul Drag Race’s Blair St. Clair) courageously follows his unconventional dream of becoming a drag queen in this inspiring true story turned global musical phenomenon. It plays at the Weathervane in alternating repertory through August 29th.

To make the performance and the panel more accessible, the library and Weathervane have teamed up to offer a very limited number of free tickets to youth from the North Country and NEK. Please reach out to [email protected] to secure your ticket. All are welcome to the panel for free, which will begin after the performance at approximately 9:45 pm. For more information, contact the library at 603-837-2030 or the Weathervane at 603-837-9322. Additional sponsors for this event include North Country Pride, Ammonoosuc Community Health Services, and an anonymous donor.

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ABOUT THE WEATHERVANE

The Weathervane Theatre was founded in 1965 by Gibbs Murray and the late Tom Haas and is under the leadership of Producing Artistic Director Ethan Paulini. It has presented high-quality professional productions of plays and musicals for over half a century. One of the few remaining alternating rep companies in the United States, the Weathervane is recognized as a historical institution nationwide, boasting among its alums 2021 Tony nominee Elizabeth Stanley, Tally Sessions, four-time Tony nominee Judy Kuhn, and recent Tony Award Winner Ari’el Stachel.  

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Media Contact: Carrie Greenberg
[email protected]