Debbie Beam is a performer.

The Edgecomb woman's debut performance was playing the lead in “Li'l Abner.”

“Like a lot of us, I fell in love with being on stage,” she said.

Beam sings and performs throughout the region, doing mostly music theater, but also choral singing, acting and more.

She's performed at Carousel Music Theater in Boothbay, Waldo Theater in Waldoboro, Lincoln County Community Theater in Damariscotta, and others.

But she's not just a performer. She's also an appreciator.

“There are so many incredibly talented people around here that are wonderful to see — and work with,” she said.

Beam's roles have been myriad, but one that stands out is playing Lola in “Damn Yankees,” which she did in high school. The musical is a modern version of Faust, the German deal-with-the-devil legend.

“That was really fun, to be naughty,” she said of her role as the devil’s assistant. “Up to that point, I'd only played these little ingénues.”

When asked for her favorite role, she couldn't just pick one.

“At LCCT my favorite was 'Nunsense’,” she said. In that role, Beam played Sister Mary Hubert.

“It was such a fun show, and I worked with amazing people, like Suzanne Rankin and Nancy Durgin,” she said.

Another favorite of Beam’s was playing the accompanist, Jeanette Burmeister, in “The Full Monty” at the Waldo Theater.

“(She was a) witchy old broad, loved the character,” Beam said, laughing.

As a performer, Beam said there are pluses and minuses to every venue.

“LCCT used to be my home away from home,” she said. “When I worked with the (Chocolate Church Arts Center in Bath), it was great having separate dressing areas, but they had minimal backstage area. I love LCCT’s stage, but their dressings rooms are (small). There's good and bad to anything,” she said.

Has this veteran performer ever forgotten a line?

“Oh yes! Oh, goodness yes,” Beam said. “Some people are really good at picking up on what you've missed and giving you just enough to keep going.

“Because there's just absolutely nothing worse in the world than that dead air space. It's the worst feeling: 'I gotta make something up right now, start talking’.”

Beam said she finds it more nerve-wracking to sing at a wedding or as a soloist at her church than to step out on stage, playing a role in a musical or play.

“I don't get nervous,” she said. “I'm not myself, I'm somebody else.”

In addition to checking out the local theaters, Beam recommends visitors to the region take a trip to Brunswick.

“Maine State Music Theater is terrific,” she said. “They do some wonderful productions. We've had season tickets for forever. They're a very very talented group.”

Hot spots for entertainment

Live Music: Opera House at Boothbay Harbor

Live Theater: Maine State Music Theater, Waldo Theater, Chocolate Church Arts Center, Heartwood Regional Theater Company, Lincoln County Community Theater, Y-Arts

Dinner Theater: Carousel Music Theater

Movies: The Harbor Theatre, Lincoln Theater, Skidompha Public Library

Live Music: Lincoln Arts Festival, Dam Blues Festival

For more entertainment, pick up the Boothbay Register/Wiscasset Newspaper and flip to the second section for weekly listings of local music, art exhibits and more.