it's complicated
Creating constructive containers for complex conversations
Monday, April 26, 2021 6pm - 8pm
Talking about injustice, race, identity, oppression, responsibility, etc. is messy, sticky, grueling, and imperfect at its best, and harmful at its worst, but is essential at its core. Maya Angelou says "Do the best you can until you know better. Then when you know better do better." This 2 hour session is designed to share our experience as facilitators in these difficult conversations with any and everyone who is also on the arduous journey of doing better. We will share the tenants of a courageous conversation, how to establish safety in a space, how to reinforce that safety during the process, and how to be resources to each other as we journey on.
YOUR instructors
MAYA LAWRENCE
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Maya Lawrence is a NYC born- Atlanta based artist and activist, specializing in theater, performance, and poetry. She uses her superpowers of creativity, curiosity, and compassion to facilitate Anti-Bias theatre-based experiences at the Tony Award winning Alliance Theatre for youth & families, corporations, and organizations in pursuit of becoming the most authentic, empathetic versions of themselves. As a proud Spelman College alumna, Maya is on a mission to liberate the world through art using Love to light the path!
DAVIORR SNIPES
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Daviorr is a theater graduate from New York University's Tisch School of the Arts. He is also a member of Actor's Equity Association. He currently serves as the Director of Diversity, Equity & Engagement for the Alliance Theatre. As a professional actor he has appeared Off-Broadway with the Ensemble Studio Theatre and has toured nationally with Theaterworks USA. He is a Peabody Award winner for his work on the NPR Podcast, Buried Truths, and has also appeared in the BET tv series, American Soul. In addition to his work at the Alliance he regularly performs around Atlanta with companies such as Vanguard Repertory Theatre and Working Title Playwrights.
MICHELLE POKOPAC
Michelle Pokopac is an actor in both theatre and film based in Atlanta. In 2017, Michelle and her partners founded East by Southeast, an organization dedicated to supporting and developing local Asian artists. She is also a member of the group IDEA ATL (Inclusion, diversity, and equity in the arts of Atlanta), in response to the social and racial injustices brought forth from the theatre community of Atlanta.
AMBER BRADSHAW
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Amber Bradshaw (she/they) is a dramaturg, director, producer and deviser with a sole focus in new play development. In Atlanta she has worked with Actor’s Express, Synchronicity Theatre, the Alliance Theatre, the Center for Puppetry Arts, Out of Hand Theatre, Out Front Theatre, Gathering Wild Dance, and Theatrical Outfit. Since 2006, Amber has directed, dramaturged and produced play readings as a freelance artist in Atlanta. For WTP, Amber directs and dramaturgs for the Ethel Woolson Lab and the Table Series, moderates regularly for all programs and teaches an intensive in New Play Dramaturgy. Amber has co-produced and written several original works (Chords Bare, with Nadya Zeitlin; Circa 50 with Gathering Wild; Learning to Fly with the Center for Puppetry Arts and Identified: A Queer Variety Show! with performance artist Corian Ellisor). Amber is a founding member of I.D.E.A. ATL (Inclusion, Diversity and Equity in the Arts Atlanta) a collective committed to providing J.E.D.I. education, consulting, facilitation and training for our arts community. She is a proud member of the Literary Managers and Dramaturgs of the Americas and the 2020 Class of the Arts Leaders of Metro Atlanta (ALMA)