Oscar Wilde meets The Dialogue Project

Vermont LGBTQ Oral History Project

RU12? and Montpelier's Lost Nation Theater proudly present an exhibit of artwork created for “The Dialogue Project: Bridging Generations of LGBTQ Vermonters”, a program of the Vermont Queer Archives. This exhibition will be hosted in the alley Lobby of Lost Nation Theater throughout the run of its production of Oscar Wilde's comedic satire, "The Importance of being Earnest" playing Thursdays - Sundays, June 19 - July 6.

In 2005 two Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer (LGBTQ) youth groups were asked what they wanted to know from their LGBTQ elders. Questions from the youth at Outright Vermont and the University of Vermont’s Free to Be Student Group included, “Did religion or faith play a role in how you viewed your sexuality?” and “What is your perspective on the portrayal of LGBTQ people in the media and entertainment industry?” Fourteen Vermonters over the age of 50 answered the questions from the youth. These interviews were recorded and ten local Vermont artists were asked to make interpretive art pieces of the recorded interviews.

In 2007 the second phase of this project was begun and turned the cycle giving LGBTQ elders the opportunity to ask queer youth about their lives. Some questions that the LGBTQ elder group at the RU12? Community Center posed to youth included; “Do you see identifying as LGBTQ as a civil rights issue?”, What has the impact of HIV/AIDS had on your life?”, “Would your coming out process be different if you did not have the internet?” and “What do you expect your life to be like when you are 65?”

This is the first project in Vermont documenting the lives and contributions of LGBTQ elders and youth in Vermont. The Dialogue Project is a celebration of LGBTQ experiences past and present and includes excerpts from interviews; pieces from the Vermont Queer Archive collection and interpretive artwork. The recorded interviews are available for educational use through RU12? Community Center’s Vermont Queer Archives and copies are also housed and available at The Vermont Folklife Center in Middlebury, Vermont.

Past exhibitions have included Johnson State College's Julian Scott Memorial Gallery, Rose Street Gallery in Burlington, and Marlboro College. Lost Nation Theater is pleased to partner with the RU12 Community Center to bring this thought provoking exhibit for the first time to the residents of central Vermont, throughout the run of "The Importance of Being Earnest," an enduring work by one of the most prominent figures in LGBTQ literary history. We think Mr. Wilde would approve.

Please check with the theater for times when the exhibit will be available for viewing other than prior to the scheduled performance times for "Earnest". Call 802-229-0492 or visit Lost Nation Theatre’s web site at www.lostnationtheater.org.