(2006) Gloucester New Arts Festival (2005-2009) that specialized in site-specific art and theatre performances was founded by Sarah Slifer, GW Dance Alumni, in Gloucester, MA – city on the sea outside of Boston.

Rage (2006)
Maida performed a solo, “Rage” in the theatre in Gloucester.
Rage was a “feminist” statement.  Maida  was on the founding Board of Mormon’s for ERA (MERA),  a dedicated group of women and men, fighting for the passage of the Equal Rights Amendment to the US Constitution.  The amendment was not and has not been approved (2025)

ICE (2006)
Maida Withers and Vincent Cacalano performed  an improvised duet, ICE,  in the refrigerator/storage room for large blocks of ice used by fishermen on their boats to preserve the catch for the day.  For “ICE,” audience members joined the dancers in the “ICE” cold refrigerator of stacked ice. Generally, audience members stayed less than 20 minutes in the ICE HOUSE due to the frigid temperature.  For the ICE performance, Maida held, in her raised hand, a tiny open umbrella that often comes with a drink at the bar.  The object was so tiny and so delicate…..a rescue attempt for Withers.

RAGE
Maida Withers in RAGE