‍Acting + Listening

REGISTER (young people ages 14 to 24)

Free for youth participants. Community donations accepted. Delicious food provided by ASHHO

ASHHO and Window Seat Media are co-producing this applied theatre workshop series in 2023 where young people are invited to rehearse and co-perform with Brave Practice theatre collective.

This workshop series is for community members interested in theatre and storytelling as ways to express themselves and learn about others. By acting and listening, participants practice bravery, collaborate with others, and explore their own gifts and potential. No previous theatre experience necessary!

Participants will become familiar with techniques in Playback Theatre, an original form of interactive and improvisational theatre where people share true moments from their lives and others play them back on the spot using music, conversation, images, and movement. Be ready to share true stories, listen deeply to others, lean into community wisdom, and take brave risks.

Bravery is a skill we can practice in community - through deep listening, sharing true stories from our lives, and making art with empathy

2022-23 Calendar

January - May 2023 (youth 14-24) on the 3rd Sundays on the month

ASHHO Cultural Community Center | 5757 Littlerock Rd SW, Tumwater WA 98512

January 2023

Getting to know the group through story

Sunday, January 22, 12:00 - 4:00 pm

February 2023*

*This is the last session where we will accept new participants.

Creating a storytelling performance

Sunday, February 19, 12:00 - 4:00 pm

March 2023

Trusting the group and improvising on stage

Sunday, March 19, 12:00 - 4:00 pm

April 2023

Honing our skills

Sunday, April 16, 12:00 - 4:00 pm‍

May 2023

Final storytelling performance

Sunday, May 21, 12:00 - 4:00 pm, Performance begins @ 1 pm

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This event series is produced in community partnership

Vision

We envision brave spaces where diverse, multicultural, and intergenerational communities come together to explore what it means to be human, celebrate our differences, and reflect on our shared past, present, and future.

Values

• Community in our home-place
• Cultural responsiveness, diversity, equity, and inclusion in those communities
• Collaboration and friendship
• Empowerment through storytelling and deep listening
• Education and innovation
• Artistic quality and integrity

Goals

Create spaces where community members can connect authentically, and in meaningful ways through art, empathy, and witnessing one another’s truth. These are radical and cathartic acts in an increasingly divided, detached, and distracted society. We hope that by practicing them, people find more capacity for compassion, connection, and bravery.

Group Bio

Brave Practice Playback Theatre Collective members: Meg Rosenberg (actor, conductor, musician, co-founder), Hiroko Ishii Cassidy (actor, conductor, musician, co-founder), Susana Bailén Acevedo (actor, musician), and Laurie Porter O'Brien (actor, musician, co-founder). As a collective, we bring over 30 years in Playback Theatre experience. Our team brings a background in education, professional theatre, psychology, diversity, equity, inclusion, cultural responsiveness, psychodrama, and a dedication to fostering community locally. Our three co-founders are continuing members of the Heartsparkle Players Playback Theatre ensemble, with training from accredited Playback trainer, Debe Edden. Both Meg and Hiroko have completed Conducting training through the New York School of Playback Theatre and the Centre for Playback Theatre, respectively. Our ensemble trains together on a weekly basis and engages in continuing professional development to deepen our community-building expertise. We are excited to meet you!

‍ASHHO’s Mission/Acronyms:

• Advocate for survivors, communities of color, under-served, marginalized people.
• Serve our communities with kindness, compassion and professional services
• Honor Humanity in all that we do because all people matter
• Organize community resources, education, gatherings, trainings & events.

Learn more about ASHHO