zAmya Theater Project announces: Yule See, Yule Remember, Dec 20 at Central Library

Free Christmas performance at Central Library, Pohlad Auditorium, 300 Nicollet Mall - December 20, 6pm

zAmya Theater Project announces Yule See, Yule Remember - a free theater performance sure to rekindle your holiday spirit and your spirit for housing justice. 

Yule See, Yule Remember was written by zAmya Troupe Member Caroline Mannheimer and other members of the cast, all of whom are participants in zAmya’s weekly Creative Expression Session workshops. The text incorporates personal stories and holiday memories gathered from workshop participants, many of whom have lived experience of homelessness, for a unique holiday show that is funny, heartfelt, challenging and uplifting. Yule See, Yule Remember encourages us to find joy in each other and our stories as a way to honor the season during tough times. 

Members of the creative team include Maren Ward and Esther Ouray as Co-Directors, with music by Dameun Strange and other members of the cast.  

Tickets are free and advance registration is not required. Doors open 30 minutes prior to show time. The show runs 90 minutes, and ASL interpretation will be provided. $10 gift cards are available for people bringing the lived experience of homelessness.

Creative Expression Sessions are weekly drop-in theater workshops for individuals looking to learn about performance, working together, and creative play. People who have experienced housing instability are especially encouraged to attend. These workshops are a space where participants, often unhoused, build creative skills while processing their experiences. Each workshop session runs for 7+ weeks in winter/spring, summer, and fall. Workshops are produced in partnership with Hennepin County Library and have been offered since 2018. This program is funded in part through Minnesota’s Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund.

Workshops culminate in a “Shareformance” (sharing/performance) process, in which participants can collaborate with zAmya staff and Troupe Members to develop an original performance using the ideas and techniques they have honed throughout the workshop residency. Learn more.

Since 2004, zAmya has been changing hearts and minds through performances and workshops across Minnesota with partners including: Minneapolis Downtown Improvement District, Hennepin Theater Trust, Southwest Minnesota Housing Project, Guthrie Theater, Edina Realty, Salvation Army, Thrivent Financial, Minnesota Coalition for the Homeless Annual Conference, Basilica of St. Mary, Augsburg College, and more.

zAmya Theater Project believes theater can change the narrative of homelessness. Their performances grow from stories lived by participants and crafted by their core artistic members. They share these stories because they know that if we want to unravel this crisis, 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 and guide the direction of the company.

Yule See, Yule Remember is being held the night before the Winter Solstice, which is on National Homeless Persons’ Memorial Day (December 21). Cities across the country organize local events around this time. In the Twin Cities, the 39th Annual Homeless Memorial will be held December 14, 5pm, at Plymouth Congregational Church. Every year, hundreds of community members come together to honor the memories of individuals who passed away in 2023: people who died while experiencing homelessness, who were previously homeless, or who were advocates. At the vigil and silent march, the name of every person is read and a candle is lit for each. This year the names will be read by Shannon Kemp, one of zAmya's longtime Troupe members.