Brave Practice Playback Theatre Collective

Acting + Listening workshop series, ASHHO + Brave Practice

ASHHO and Window Seat Media co-produced an interactive theatre workshop series for youth in January - May 2023 where young people rehearse and perform with Brave Practice Playback Theatre Collective.

Join us on the 3rd Sundays on the month January - May 2023 (young people ages 14-24)!

Acting + Listening

Our community engagement program, Brave Practice, will be working with young people in the community to learn techniques in improvisational theatre and personal storytelling. The goal of the series is to create an ongoing brave space to practice empathy, express ourselves, and collaborate with others.

REGISTER (young people ages 14 to 24)

This workshop series is for young people in the community interested in theatre and storytelling as a ways to express themselves and learn about others. Participants will become familiar with techniques in Playback Theatre, an original form of interactive and improvisational theatre we share true moments from their lives and play them back on the spot using music, conversation, images, and movement. By acting and listening, participants practice empathy, collaborate with others, and explore their own gifts and potential. We'll use applied theatre-based techniques as tools in self discovery and exploring issues of concern to our communities. No previous theatre experience necessary!

Be ready to share true stories, listen deeply to others, lean into community wisdom, and take brave risks.

Calendar

3rd Sunday of the month, January - May 2023

ASHHO Cultural Community Center

5757 Littlerock Rd SW
Tumwater WA 98512

REGISTER (ages 14 to 24)

*FREE FOR YOUNG PEOPLE. Community donations accepted.

Delicious food provided by ASHHO.

January 2023

Getting to know the group through story

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

*February 2023

Creating a storytelling performance

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

*Last date accepting new participants

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

Storytelling performance with Brave Practice

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

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This event series co-produced in community partnership

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

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
  • Belonging, 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!

L to R: Meg, Hiroko, Laurie, and Susana

ASHHO means to instruct or call someone to “COME JOIN” in Bengali language from Bangladesh where Khurshida and Rubel are from. Chef Khurshida Begum is the founder of and visionary behind ASHHO, where everyone can have access to inspirational programs and services that focus on real life skills, cultural and identity exploration, and connections.

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