Celebrate the New Bill Dufris Memorial Voiceover Studio at USM – Join Us on May 1!
Bill Dufris – Memorial 4:30pm-6:30pm Thursday May 1, 2025
51 College Ave in Gorham
Hello Bill-tastic Friends and Family,
It’s hard to believe it’s been almost five years since we lost our beloved Bill Dufris – an effervescently energetic, inspiring, multi-talented individual with a heart of gold. While we’re sure Bill would find today’s world puzzling, there’s no doubt he’d be incredibly proud of the creative work that continues to radiate from the people whose lives he touched.
We are thrilled to announce the formal open house for the Bill Dufris Memorial Voiceover Studio at the University of Southern Maine (USM), where Bill’s legacy in audio storytelling will continue to inspire students and community members alike.
Open House Details:
- Date & Time: Thursday, May 1, 2025, from 4:30 pm – 6:30 pm
- Location: 51 College Ave, Gorham, Maine
- RSVP: Click here to RSVP on Purple Pass
What to Expect:
- Take a tour of the newly renovated studio space
- Meet the students and community members involved in the world of audio
- Record your tributes or stories about Bill
- Enjoy a lovely May evening in Maine with good company
The Bill Dufris Memorial Voiceover Studio – A Tribute to Bill’s Legacy
Bill was passionate about audio storytelling – both through his own work and by inspiring others to dive into the world of audio. Not only was Bill the visionary behind one of North America’s first home audiobook recording facilities, but he also founded Mind Eye Productions, where he recorded and produced countless projects. Even after his passing in 2020, his legacy lived on, with the studio operating for over a year before it was time for the next chapter.
Working closely with Bill’s widow, Maria Reuillard, USM Alum and longtime collaborator Fred Greenhalgh found a perfect new home for Bill’s equipment at USM, where Bill and Fred both studied. In collaboration with the USM Theatre Department and WMPG, we transformed an old conference room into a state-of-the-art recording studio. The goal? To introduce students to the world of audio storytelling, from audiobooks to voiceover, audio drama, and documentary podcasting.
In addition, WMPG launched a Gorham satellite internet radio station Studio 51, co-located within the same building, bringing even more opportunities for collaboration.
The studio officially soft-launched in Spring 2024, with Jessica Lockhart (WMPG’s former program director and one of Bill’s first radio teachers) leading the first course. USM Theatre also used the space to run a production of War of the Worlds, which included both studio recording and live performance which were broadcast on WMPG.
Help Us Celebrate Bill’s Legacy – RSVP Today!
Join us as we honor Bill’s memory and the incredible impact he made on the world of audio storytelling. We hope to see you at the open house on May 1st! RSVP here!
Bill’s longtime audio partner – Fred Greenhalgh
Fred Greenhalgh, was a longtime collaborator with Bill and has been instrumental in the launching of the Bill Dufris Memorial Voiceover Studio. Fred, a proud University of Southern Maine (USM) alum and former WMPG DJ, is also celebrating the upcoming 20th anniversary of his debut radio drama, Day of the Dead. Written, directed, and produced as part of his senior thesis for the USM Media Studies program, Day of the Dead first aired on WMPG in May 2005. After graduating, Fred’s thesis advisor, Jessica Lockhart, connected him with renowned voice actor and audio producer Bill Dufris, marking the beginning of a remarkable journey in the world of audio storytelling. Together, Fred and Bill worked with a host of stars, including Stephen King, David Duchovny, Gillian Anderson, and numerous talented local actors, producing hundreds of hours of captivating audio dramas from Bill’s Maine-based studio—which has since found a new home at USM.
In addition to his work behind the scenes, Fred hosted Radio Drama Revival, a weekly radio showcase on WMPG from 2007 to 2016, where he brought audio drama to a broad audience. Today, Fred continues to direct and produce popular audio series, including DC High Volume: Batman and Star Trek: Khan, continuing to shape the landscape of modern audio drama.