WHAT: FoC is looking for mature theater practitioners to help us facilitate the Post Traumatic Growth of military service veterans. We do three day, weekend acting Shakespeare Intensives about once a month. Sometimes we are inside the VA and sometimes off campus. We use simple acting exercises, mindful attention, and work veteran participants through scenes from different Shakespeare plays.
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW: That means you need some acting skills, a friendly relationship with Shakespeare (it's our gig, folks! If you hate Shakespeare you will not enjoy this! But you need not be a scholar), a PASSION for using theater to work with a population outside your comfort zone, and a bit of charisma! Then, you must understand that we are NOT any theater company. The work we do is not therapy but it is therapeutic! That means there is a responsibility and a learning curve that can be stressful. It means you must practice deep listening, deep compassion, and non-judgement - both for the vets and for yourself! We have amazing support people in the VA and you will have them and us, should you choose to join us.
WHY DO THIS: Serious stuff, yes, but enormously gratifying! We hear stories no one has ever heard before, watch people begin to feel again, we cry some and we laugh too! Big change happens and we get the great honor of receiving gratitude from these men and women who WE owe so much to!
WHO SHOULD COME: Actors, theater educators, theater practitioners of any skill that have out going personalities. We are open to others but you must be able to check all the boxes in What You Need to Know.
WHAT IS EXPECTED: You will be expected to attend one full weekend as a participant. You will attend one full weekend of training . We are not in a position to be able to offer pay for these two weekends (we will feed you!) but if you complete these and we mutually agree on your continuation we offer $150.00 a weekend as an assistant until we, and you, feel you are ready to facilitate. A facilitator will begin at $300.00 a weekend. If you decide to join us, you must complete the registration with the VA as a volunteer. This is no small task; it includes a background check, fingerprinting, TB tests, orientation and a several page form. It's pretty cool to get to hang out in the VA though!
WHEN & WHERE: May 22, at Colectivo Back Room on 2211 Prospect Blvd. 6:00 P.M. - 8:00 P.M. Light eats and beverages provided. Join us for more info, questions answered, techniques demonstrated and laughs!
