Theatre doesn’t always happen on stage. It unfolds all around us on a daily basis.
In 2015, we witnessed with horror the tragic death of Eric Garner at the hands of NYC police officers. Our city was forced to grapple with questions of history, procedure, and social responsibility, and Irondale saw an opportunity to contribute to the discussion through its unique lens of improvisation, actor training, and ensemble building.
Now in its 10th season, To Protect, Serve, and Understand (TPSU)™ has gained local and national acclaim for being an innovative training program designed to ease tension between police and community members. Each series of workshops lasts ten weeks. Seven officers and seven community members come together to break bread, play, sing and have difficult conversations. They learn how to communicate and how to listen. They learn to improvise, tell their own stories, and “step into each other’s shoes.” The workshops culminate in public performances that show what can come from mutual trust and empathetic understanding.
Watch a video about the series here:
To Protect, Serve and Understand closed workshops run weekly on Tuesday nights through January 9, 6:30-9:30 p.m.
Public performances will take place January 13 and 14 at 7:30 p.m. All performances are FREE to the public.
Starting with a dinner and discussion, followed by group theater games and actor-training techniques, the workshop teaches a diverse and inclusive cast of participants a unique approach to problem-solving and offers real-life communication skills in a creative non-judgmental atmosphere.
As Irondale celebrates its 40th Anniversary, we are looking to the future as we remember the accomplishments of the past. Please make a contribution of $40 to help us getting number 40 off to a great start.
Your gift will be fully tax deductible.
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