Remembering Dee Clarke
“I don’t remember a moment spent with Dee that wasn’t a-light with her loving, fun, creative spirit.”
Last week, Maine lost a valiant advocate and community member. Dee Clarke founded Survivor Speak USA, was a founding member of the Portland-based organization Homeless Voices for Justice, and tirelessly led efforts to end sex-trafficking and homelesness. Dee was also an instrumental member of the Children’s Theatre of Maine team during its tenure on Marginal Way.
Dee Clarke from the Children’s Theatre of Maine Archives, 2004
Image sourced by Abraham A. Schechter at the Portland Public Library
CTM Alum Hannah Daly remembers Dee:
“It’s not mentioned in the Portland Press Herald article, but Dee was an important part of the team at the Children’s Theatre when it was on Marginal Way during my time there, stage-managing shows and taking care of us kids. She treated all of us as if we were her own, told us fantastic stories and jokes to make us laugh, and kept us safe and cared for during long days at the theater. I don’t remember a moment spent with Dee that wasn’t a-light with her loving, fun, creative spirit. There was one dinner break in particular when she had five of us restless, wired kids in her care, and nothing had been planned to keep us occupied between shows. She wouldn’t hear of us being bored, so she got us all bundled up, took us outside, and walked us over to World Gym, where she asked a baffled employee to give us all a tour of the facility. She was able to turn the most banal moments and experiences into fun adventures.
I wanted to write to you mainly to tell you about the role Dee played for so many kids at CTM back in the day, and how much she meant to us, and to see if there might be a way for your team to share the news of her passing with the CTM alumni network, since I imagine there are others out there who would like to remember her and honor the work she did with us kids.”
Read more about Hannah’s experience growing up with the Children’s Theatre of Maine in our Alumni Spotlight.
Other Community Members commemorate Dee in this moving piece published by The Portland Press Herald on November 4th.
Dee’s daughter Staci was also an active actor with the Children’s Theatre of Maine at Marginal Way, appearing in such productions as the original play The Lion Hunting on Munjoy Hill and Arthur Miller’s The Crucible in 2003.
Program information from We Were There Too (2004-2005 season)
The Children’s Theatre of Maine at Marginal Way
Sourced by Abraham A. Schechter at the Portland Public Library
We welcome more memories and anecdotes about Dee Clarke from CTM Alumni. As we continue to bolster our archives and Children’s Theatre History, we also strive to continue connecting with CTM alum of all ages. Please feel welcomed to share via theatre@kitetails.org
If you feel inclined to give on Dee’s behalf, we encourage you to donate to Survivor Speak USA or Homeless Voices for Justice via Preble Street.