Fwd: Potential Partnership (time sensitive)
Lucy Burns
From: Joan Lipkin <joan....@gmail.com>
Date: Wed, Jan 2, 2019 at 1:00 PM
Subject: Potential Partnership (time sensitive)
To: <lucy.w...@gmail.com>
Cc: Becky Galambos <becky_g...@sbcglobal.net>
Hi Lucy,
I am writing to discuss a potential theatre partnership with you.
At That Uppity Theatre Company, we are dedicated to helping underrepresented groups in St. Louis tell some of their stories through our Playback Now! St Louis in a variety of settings throughout the St Louis area. While we have helped to share stories on many topics, this year we are particularly going to focus on immigrants and refugees, LGBTQIA and Transgender people, people with disabilities, and emotional challenges.
We would be looking at fall 2019-spring 2020.
All of us have stories, either personal, in our families or with neighbors and friends or perhaps people with whom we work.
Playback Theatre is a highly specialized form of improvisation that was created by Jonathan Fox and Jo Salas in the 1970’s, in an effort to encourage individuals from all walks of life to let their stories be heard. The Playback form is now practiced in over 40 countries and is still used to give a voice to those who might otherwise be marginalized, under-represented, ignored, or misunderstood. It is also used with great success with general audiences because we all have stories.
The goal is not to appropriate the experience of any group but rather to help them tell their stories and then theatrically to help convey emotions that many of us share.
We have found this work to be deeply effective and meaningful, which is why it is practiced regionally, nationally and internationally in so many settings.
We are applying to the Regional Arts Commission (RAC) to request funding to support this proposed programming.
The funding would cover meeting times and logistics, rehearsals, payment for our actors and musicians, website maintenance, social media outreach, transportation and supplies.
We would like to partner with you as well as other groups on this project. This would mean talking with staff and or some of your constituents about their focus and concerns, asking for your help to do audience outreach, and where appropriate, hosting a performance at your venue or one with people with whom you work.
We are not about fancy spaces or lights or sets, although it’s lovely if that is available.
Playback is really about the sharing of experiences with a conductor who helps translate it for the actors who then share it with the teller and the audience.
At its best, it is transformative for everyone involved, usually full of moments of humor, pathos, tenderness, discovery and surprise.
We would love to work with you and hope you think this is something you might find useful. Can you please let Becky who is cced and me know by January 7 if you receive this and have any questions, and then we can discuss possible next steps. I’m attaching a brochure to give you more of a sense of our company.
Many thanks for your consideration.
All best,
Joan
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lucy.w.burns
What a wonderful project. While we would love to participate, we have to decline presently since we are absolutely over our heads in terms of commitments.
Having said that I suggest that this would be a great project in which to involve the local OCA chapter (Organization of Chinese Americans). Sharing their stories is a priority as they ramp up their efforts to educate the local community and reduce hostilities. So I am linking you with two of their leaders who would be the route into engaging them.
I would be happy to host a production without charge if you get to that point.
Happy New Year!
Anna E. Crosslin
President & CEO
International Institute of St. Louis
The United Way partners with more than 170 agencies to help people in our region. Show your support by making a United Way donation today!
From: Joan Lipkin <joan....@gmail.com>
Sent: Wednesday, January 02, 2019 12:53 PM
To: Anna Crosslin <cros...@iistl.org>
Cc: Becky Galambos <becky_g...@sbcglobal.net>
Subject: Potential Partnership (time sensitive)
Hi Anna,
