zAmya Theater Project announces Homeless Network Newz: Season 5
Thursday, May 6, 2021 at 1:59PMVia a May 5 e-announcement:
zAmya Theater Project announces the fifth season of Homeless Network Newz — virtual creative performances every other week in May and June, starting May 13. HNN highlights stories, experiences and the creative contributions of people who have experienced homelessness.
zAmya Theater uses creativity, collaboration and stories to build understanding and connection between people who’ve experienced homelessness and people who have not. zAmya aims to inspire people to advocate for short and long term solutions to the housing crisis in Minnesota. zAmya began creating Homeless Network Newz episodes about zAmya troupe members as a way of using storytelling to build understanding and connection during COVID-19. Learn more at zamyatheater.org/homeless-network-newz.
Episodes are directed by Esther Ouray and edited by Flo Razowsky. Hosted by Corey Walton, featuring troupe members Robert Blood, Marcia Barnes, Annette Bryant, Marvin Howard, Shannon Kemp, Caroline Mannheimer, Ken Moore, Christina Sayers, Sol Moran Sepulveda, and Tahiti Robinson.
In the first four seasons, zAmya Troupe members and guests shared poems, reflections, interviews with community leaders, heartfelt stories, hilarious sketches, current events and not-so-recent news, the impact of COVID-19 on the community, and much more.
zAmya’s three-year residency on Nicollet Mall sponsored by Hennepin County Library and Minneapolis D.I.D. moved online in early 2020, with HNN expanding into virtual workshops and performances, taking the place of in-person workshops and performances that would normally happen at the Minneapolis Central Library.
Homeless Network Newz — Live Broadcasts
Thursdays at 4pm Facebook Live and YouTube
Episode 1: May 13 — “Mama Mia”
Episode 2: May 27 — “Rise Up”
Episode 3: June 10 — “Summer (en)Camp(ment)”
Episode 4: June 24 — “Our Fathers”
Episodes are archived and available for viewing on Facebook, YouTube, and zamyatheater.org.
zAmJam! Virtual Creative Workshops
Those interested in participating in the making of HNN episodes are invited to zAmya workshops. zAmya Theater hosts zAmJam! with Zamya in partnership with Hennepin County Library. This series of online workshops is for people who are unhoused, temporarily sheltered and allies who are ready to play! All are invited to participate.
Tuesdays, 2:30pm-4pm
Meeting link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/6127604804
Contact Esther with questions at 612-720-4804 or esther@zamyatheater.org.
Sample HNN Segments
The Story of My Inner Child, a poem by Christina Sayers. Originally Aired: HNN S4 E6, April 15, 2021, "Break Free, Spring"
Advice from a Queen + Kids Say the Darndest Things. Originally Aired: HNN S4 E6, April 15, 2021, "Break Free, Spring"
In Focus with Robert Blood, interview with Christina Woodlee of Bridge for Youth. Originally Aired: HNN S4 E6, April 15, 2021, "Break Free, Spring"
Full Episode, HNN S4 E6 "Break Free, Spring" - In which we hear from the mouths of babes, learn about youth and LGBTQ youth experiencing homelessness, assert the transformative impact of treating others as we wish to be treated and so much more. Originally Aired: HNN S4 E6, April 15, 2021.
This activity is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through a grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts and cultural heritage fund.
About zAmya Theater Project
Through captivating performances and creative collaboration workshops, zAmya Theater Project builds understanding and connection between individuals who have experienced homelessness and those who have not. From understanding and connection, hearts and minds are changed. Solutions are imagined and achieved. Since 2004 the zAmya Theater Project has been changing hearts and minds through performances and workshops in hundreds of Minnesota locations and with many partners including: Minneapolis Downtown Improvement District, Hennepin Theater Trust, Southwest Minnesota Housing Project, The Guthrie Theater, Edina Reality, Salvation Army, Thrivent Financial, Minnesota Coalition for the Homeless Annual Conference, Basilica of St. Mary, Augsburg College, and more.
zAmya Theatre Project believes theater can change the narrative of homelessness. Our performances grow from stories lived by participants and crafted by our core artistic members. We share them because we know that if we want to unravel this crisis then we have to unravel the story. Informed by experienced advocates and direct service providers, zAmya is led by professional artists, and employs a core group of actors who’ve experienced homelessness to create the plays, co-facilitate workshops, and guide the direction of the company.
zAmya is a Sanskrit word that means “aiming at peace.” For zAmya, aiming at peace means aiming toward a community with safe, stable, affordable housing options for all. More info at zamyatheater.org.
