COMMUNITY DIALOGUES
The following Community Dialogues are examples of our past engagement with communities and universities. We can have further conversation about the collaborators' individual expertise to have the most impact in your setting. For more information, please contact pedra@vivalapepa.org.
ART & SOCIAL JUSTICE
Hosted by Pedra Pepa and the Noche Bomba (2018) cast, in conjunction with the performance (either fully produced or studio showing, can be excerpted or entirety). Dialogue explores the creative process and social justice themes in Noche Bomba:
What is it like to divulge such personal information to large groups of folks? What does it mean to expose oneself for collective healing?
What is my own responsibility to share and educate through deep, intimate processes?
Why these topics???
What is the importance of finding community as a minority? Or the importance of sharing our voices and stories within and outside of our communities and affinity groups?
How do we balance our lives without burn-out/burdening ourselves with impossible tasks?
How can we share the urgency of collective uprising and transformative justice through the arts, performances, and education?
How do we use art and performance practices to examine intersectionality of oppression and resistance? In conversation with: Latinx student group, LGBTQ2 association, Gender and Performance studies
QUEERNESS & SPIRITUALITY
Hosted by Pedra Pepa and the Holy Doña cast, in conjunction with performance (fully produced or video showing, excerpted or entirety) Dialogue explores the creative process and theology themes in Holy Doña and in history: -
What is the role of religion in the historical mass persecution against otherness and individuality, especially against queers?
How do we combat toxic narratives within religious organizations?
How do we, the cast, tap into our spiritual selves in the creative process?
Why is there an actual exorcism in the performance?
What is the significance of cleansing the spirit of toxic pasts? How do we heal from these cycles?
What do we need from religion to heal and move forward?
How does one reconcile queerness with a religious background? In conversation with: LGBTQ2 association, Theology studies, Humanities department
DRAG AND GENDER FOR EARLY LEARNERS
Hosted by E Zimmer, Pedra Pepa and Sid Sity. Dialogue covers the main elements of Drag Story Hour:
How we as performers explore theatricality and imagination with children while expanding the possibilities of gender, moving beyond the binary to inspire greater self-expression, self- discovery, self-awareness?
How do we support all kids inside inclusive classrooms by encouraging limitless self- expression?
How do we build respect, love, support, accountability, and friendship across genders? In conversation with: Elementary Education students, Parent student groups, Education department and Daycare staff