Waterville
Maine
Waterville Creates Arts Spotlight from December 23-29, 2024
Arts and Entertainment
December 23, 2024
From: Waterville Opera HouseFEATURED
Roald Dahl's
MATILDA THE MUSICAL
Auditions
Inspired by the twisted genius of Roald Dahl, the Tony Award-winning Roald Dahl’s Matilda the Musical is a captivating masterpiece. Both children and adults alike will be delighted by the story of the special little girl with an extraordinary imagination.
Book by Dennis Kelly. Music and lyrics by Tim Minchin. Presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI). All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI. www.mtishows.com
Studio 1902, Paul J. Schupf Art Center
93 Main Street, Waterville
Adult Auditions: Saturday, January 4 at 10am + Sunday, January 5 at 1pm
Child Auditions: Saturday, January 4 at 1pm
Show Dates: April 25–May 4
ARTS
HOLIDAY BAZAAR
Ticonic Gallery
93 Main Street, Waterville
Open Daily, 11am–7pm
Closed Tuesdays
Closed Christmas Eve + Christmas Day
Featuring hand-crafted items from more than 100 Maine-based artists and makers, the 2024 Holiday Bazaar is the ideal one-stop-shop for everyone on your list. Find the perfect gifts, stocking-stuffers-and even some stockings-to make this holiday season in Maine unique and memorable.
LIGHT SENTINELS
Castonguay Square
93 Main Street, Waterville
Open Daily
Light Sentinels, crafted by the Australia-based creative team Skunk Control, consists of 10 towering (16–20 feet) kinetic flower sculptures. These sculptures captivate viewers by dynamically unfurling and closing their petals, projecting vibrant and continually evolving colored light shadows over the surrounding landscape. Skunk Control is the 2024 award recipient for Waterville Creates’ Call for Proposals for Temporary Public Art.
Presented with major support from the Harold Alfond Foundation. Additional support provided by PRO Moving Service and the City of Waterville.
YOUTH ARTS ACCESS FUND
Established in March 2022, the Youth Arts Access Fund (YAAF) provides youth aged 18 and under with free access to Waterville Creates events and programs—all of them! For just $1,000/month or $5,000/6 months, your business can be recognized as a YAAF sponsor of the month and provide critical support for this beloved program.
The Waterville Area Women's Club is December's Youth Arts Access Fund sponsor! Waterville Area Women’s Club and its volunteer members support numerous local charities and service agencies in the Greater Waterville Area, with a focus on those that benefit women and children.
FILM
NOSFERATU
Maine Film Center
93 Main Street, Waterville
Opening December 25
From $9
Eligible for the Youth Arts Access Fund
On a cold and sleepless night, a lonely young woman named Ellen (Lily-Rose Depp) prays to the dark night for a guardian angel or a spirit of comfort–and from the darkness, something evil and hungry answers. Years later, Ellen lives in Wisborg and is married to aspiring junior estate agent Thomas (Nicholas Hoult). Thomas accepts an assignment to travel to Transylvania and get contracts signed for the sale of a decrepit mansion in Wisborg to the mysterious Count Orlok (the ever-terrifying Bill Skarsgård). As Orlok makes his way towards the German town, Ellen is plagued by voices and visions and disgraced professor Albin von Franz (Willem Dafoe) becomes convinced that something supernatural has taken up residence amongst the townsfolk. Director Robert Eggers (The Witch, The Northman) revitalizes the classic tale of Nosferatu in a devilish new light, paying homage to the films of Murnau, Dreyer, and Herzog while crafting his own deliciously terrifying vision.
A COMPLETE UNKNOWN
Maine Film Center
93 Main Street, Waterville
Opening December 25
From $9
Eligible for the Youth Arts Access Fund
In the early ’60s, a complete unknown himself at the age of 19, Robert Zimmerman (soon to be a.k.a. Bob Dylan) blows in from Minnesota to Greenwich Village, New York City, guitar in hand and songs like “Blowin’ in the Wind” in his head and heart. Music—and the world—will never be the same. And the film world may not be quite the same either after the release of A Complete Unknown, powered by Timothée Chalamet’s jaw-dropping performance as the young Dylan. There will be great acclaim as well for Monica Barbaro as Joan Baez and for director James Mangold (Walk the Line, Girl Interrupted) for this knockout film, co-written by MIFF Mid-Life Achievement Award honoree Jay *****!
BABYGIRL
Maine Film Center
93 Main Street, Waterville
Now Showing
From $9
Eligible for the Youth Arts Access Fund
Nicole Kidman, Harris Dickinson, and Antonio Banderas star in this edge-of-your-seat erotic thriller, written and directed by Halina Reijn (Bodies Bodies Bodies, Instinct). Set around Christmastime, Babygirl follows CEO Romy Mathis (Kidman) as she becomes captivated by bold intern Samuel (Dickinson), who is far younger than her. As a forbidden romance blossoms between Romy and Samuel, Romy puts her career at risk and struggles to keep her double life hidden from her husband (Banderas) and children. With Kidman receiving Best Actress at the Venice Film Festival for her career-defining performance, Babygirl is an unmissable film for audiences looking for a decidedly not family-friendly Christmas film.
PERFORMING ARTS
PORTRAIT OF ARETHA
Waterville Opera House
1 Common Street, Waterville
Thursday, January 9
7:30pm
$47–$57
Eligible for the Youth Arts Access Fund
Aretha Franklin taught us how to "Think" and demand "Respect..." all while ridin' on the "Freeway of Love!" In Portrait of Aretha, CeCe Teneal honors the legacy of the Queen of Soul with personalized interpretations of both popular and lesser-known songs from this 18-Grammy-Award-winning icon’s 50-year career, including “Chain of Fools,” “(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman,” “Rock Steady,” and “Until You Come Back to Me (That's What I'm Gonna Do)."
JULIA GAGNON
Waterville Opera House
1 Common Street, Waterville
Saturday, January 11
8pm
$31–$41
Eligible for the Youth Arts Access Fund
Originally from Cumberland, Maine, Julia Gagnon gained national acclaim after placing in the top seven performers of the 22nd season of American Idol. Gagnon is a student at the University of Southern Maine, and her singing journey started at a school talent show. During her time with American Idol, Gagnon became a household name across the state, with Mainers rallying to support her in any way possible. Following her success on the show, Gagnon announced a statewide tour last summer - also called the "Here in Maine" tour – and is working on writing and recording new music with her fiancé and musical partner, Nate Haven.
UP COMING
WHEN HARRY MET SALLY...
Maine Film Center
93 Main Street, Waterville
Tuesday, December 31
7pm
Eligible for the Youth Arts Access Fund
The year is 1977. Harry Burns and Sally Albright (Billy Crystal and Meg Ryan), two graduates from the University of Chicago, share a ride to New York City. Along the way, they debate whether or not a man and woman can be friends without romantic attraction–the debate turns into an argument, ending with the two deciding never to see each other again. Despite that, Harry and Sally find themselves continuously bumping into each other over the years, and a friendship develops. As time passes and they face their own separate romantic entanglements, they slowly begin to realize that their feelings for each other may be more than platonic. Ring in the New Year at the Maine Film Center with When Harry Met Sally..., a timeless rom-com perfect for friends, lovers, and everything in between.
3D PRINTING
FOR CERAMIC ARTS
The Art of Clay Studio
93 Main Street, Waterville
Saturdays, January 11 + 18
1-4pm
Adults and Teens 16+
$81
Eligible for the Youth Arts Access Fund
Where creativity meets functionality! Misha Oraa Ali leads this hands-on workshop where participants will dive into the world of 3D printing to design and create custom stamps, cutters, and maker's marks. This is a unique opportunity to explore the design and fabrication of personalized tools that can elevate your artistic practice-whether in ceramics, printmaking, or even baking! Together, we’ll explore the process of making custom texture rollers, stamps, and cookie cutters.
Participants are encouraged to bring their own ideas or sketches for the stamps they’d like to create. Waterville Creates will provide the 3D printers and laptops needed for designing and printing. By the end of the workshop, each participant will have at least one custom-made stamp, cutter, or roller.
SUPPORT THE ARTS
At Waterville Creates, community is at the core of everything we do. We believe everyone deserves access to outstanding arts opportunities and that shared experiences in the arts build stronger, happier, and healthier communities.
To truly fulfill our mission of ARTS EXPERIENCES FOR ALL, we need your help!
Only 40% of our budget is covered by ticket sales and program fees. By making a gift to Waterville Creates, you help us to keep our programming quality high while keeping our ticket prices affordable, increasing access for all members of our community. Your support also allows us to offer a variety of free arts events for all ages and ensures that no child is turned away due to cost.
Thank you for supporting the arts in our community.
WE'RE HIRING
Are you passionate about the arts? Waterville Creates is seeking enthusiastic, outgoing individuals for the roles of Director of Development, Communications Coordinator, and Theatre Camp Counselors and Lead Counselor.
MEMBERSHIP
Our membership program provides benefits across all divisions, including the Waterville Opera House, Maine Film Center, and Ticonic Gallery + Studios, as well as special gifts from founding partners the Waterville Public Library and the Colby College Museum of Art. Your support will help sustain outstanding, accessible arts programming for all members of the community.