The Rooted Rehearsal
Yes, you ARE the drama. So, let’s use it!
It started with an inquiry…
In 2023, while attending the NYU Drama Therapy Program, I sought to explore the potential of therapeutic theatre to explore Black womanhood within the frame of Role Theory and the method of autoethnography. I devised a one-woman, one-act play in which I identified and performed three prevalent roles that I understood to be archetypal and universal within feminine identities: The “maiden,” the “mother,” and the “crone.” With the concept of the triunity of these identities, I performed these roles in conversation with each other, and—in doing so—began to repair and resolve my relationship with each role.
From this project, I sought to create a therapeutic theatre workshop centering Black women and women of color that provided space for participants to explore the roles they identify with (and roles they wrestle with). And out of this exploration, they devise their own creative piece—be it a monologue, a short play, poetry, or performance. In doing so, I hope they achieve what I had achieved in my own creative work: a better understanding, a more grounded love and acceptance for, and a perspective shift in how we view the parts of ourselves that may have been buried, or derided, or neglected due to life’s circumstances, past traumas, or experiences.
The Workshop
The Rooted Rehearsal is so named to reflect the therapeutic value of being able to play out, “rehearse,” and work through the roles we play and the roles we want to play in our lives. The process aims to be grounded in curiosity, acceptance, and community.
I facilitate The Rooted Rehearsal in 4 stages over the course of four, six, or eight weeks:
An introductory stage of exploring existing texts (in various media) that explore various aspects of women's experiences through drama therapeutic interventions and processing
A mid-stage of devising and conceptualizing a culminating project based on their reflections and insights
A final stage for a culminating presentation or performance
A termination stage of processing and celebration of the experience as a whole
This is only the beginning…
The Rooted Rehearsal is in the “curiosity” stage! Meaning, it can adapt, shift, and evolve based on the needs of those who are interested in participating. If you are
an individual looking for an interesting and creative therapeutic outlet,
a private psychotherapy practice or a social service program looking to expand its client services,
a fellow Creative Arts Therapist, or artist looking for possible collaboration,
I want to talk with you!
Who is The Rooted Rehearsal for?
The Rooted Rehearsal is for women, ages 18 and over, who identify predominantly as Black, Indigenous, or Women of Color. Women? Any woman: cis women, trans women, gender non-conforming people whose life experience is explicitly tied to the lived woman experience.