January 31, 2018, Wednesday - ZAMYA Theater Project Special Super Bowl Performance: JUST US at Central Library

Time: 7 PM - 8:30 PM

Location: Minneapolis Central Library (Pohlad Hall)

ZAMYA Theater Project Special Super Bowl Performance: JUST US

St. Stephen’s Human Services is proud to present zAmya Theater Project’s latest creation – JUST US: Out of the Cycle, Into the Circle. As Minneapolis prepares to be hosts of Superbowl LII, attention has turned to the impact of this event on residents, especially those without homes and in downtown shelters. Presented during Superbowl Live, this production will be a prime opportunity to hear the voices of those experiencing homelessness. JUST US: Out of the Cycle, Into the Circle is written by the zAmya Theater troupe with dramaturgical support from playwright Josef Evans and original songs by Caroline Mannheimer and Patrick Presley. It is directed by Maren Ward with choreography by Leah Nelson. Tickets are free. Donations will be accepted. 

SHOW DESCRIPTION 
Having a criminal background is regarded as the greatest barrier to securing safe, affordable housing. And yet, housing can play the most important role in helping a person get their life back on track. zAmya explores this contradiction in JUST US: Out of the Cycle, Into the Circle. Pete, recently released from Prison and ready for a fresh start, begins a surreal journey filled with roadblock after barrier after hoop to finding a new life. With “Dee System” around every corner, Pete struggles to escape his background. When he finds himself in the Court of Just Us, the audience is invited to play the role of the jury. Blending humor, drama and a song and dance or two, JUST US offers audiences a chance to deliberate American criminal justice practices and their impact on its citizens. 

ABOUT ZAMYA
zAmya Theater Project is a theater company housed at St. Stephen’s Human Services. Through community-based theater we raise awareness and understanding of homelessness and generate the public will to end it. Founded by Lecia Grossman in 2004 zAmya (Sanskrit for “aiming at peace”) seeks to turn homeless from word into a person. A troupe of actors, many of whom have experienced homelessness, guide the artistic vision. Our annual Fall Roadshow shares stories and information about homelessness and related issues with hundreds of audience members in venues throughout Minnesota including a two weekend run at the Guthrie Theater in September, 2016 of Home Street Home Minneapolis.

The JUST US Ensemble includes Richard Brinda, Cheryl Hare, Charles Hilton, Lurch, Marvin Howard, Caroline Mannheimer, Esther Ouray, Wanda B. Poston, Patrick Presley, and Corey Walton. 

ABOUT ST. STEPHEN’S
The mission of St. Stephen's Human Services is ending homelessness. We progress toward this goal through a range of effective emergency services, shelter and housing programs for individuals and families. We envision a community in which housing instability is rare, brief and non-recurring, ending homelessness as we know it.