Why UnderStory Arts?
Why Understory Arts and what does it mean?
Ah, great questions!
To keep it simple: I adopted it, with permission, from my friend Christie Dobson of Storm Door Productions, her company that is still active today. Christie and I met after I moved to Lawrence in 2009, as a recent graduate of Kansas State University's Drama Therapy program. I have moved here to work in health care facility for elders which seemed a natural choice after completing my thesis on intergenerational storytelling. Christie, and others, mainly students, as UnderStory, did meaningful theatre work utilizing drama therapy, storytelling and applied theatre - a few terms that could describe the work. When I came along we explored some themes common to humanity such as Love and politics. We read poetry, created sculptures and improvisation to further explore these themes. In Christie's words: "UnderStory was birthed by a fabulous group of kids who listened and shared their whole selves. So glad this moment lives on xoxoxo ."
Sharing their WHOLE SELVES. How often do you are I do that?
The official UnderStory process went dormant for time as many of the kids that participated in Understory graduated moved on and Christie moved on to some other projects. But the UnderStory remained, as the understory does; alive and supportive. I slept with the concept and it gave me hope. It still does.
The moment I heard her say: "Understory" it just 'clicked' inside of me. It is SO ripe with meaning and a comforting image.
The UnderStory grows in the shade.
It participates in the whole glorious life process under the forest canopy. For me it meant that I had somewhere to hold my thoughts on healing and the arts, particularly drama but also the connection to all domains of development: physical/emotional, biological and spiritual.
To me the UnderStory, with the "s" capitalized to draw attention to the narratives that we all have and the reality that underneath it all there is really one human story. We all need safety to grow and flourish and, yet, we can still develop in the most harrowing conditions due to our resilient nature.
Until next time,
pilar
Ah, great questions!
To keep it simple: I adopted it, with permission, from my friend Christie Dobson of Storm Door Productions, her company that is still active today. Christie and I met after I moved to Lawrence in 2009, as a recent graduate of Kansas State University's Drama Therapy program. I have moved here to work in health care facility for elders which seemed a natural choice after completing my thesis on intergenerational storytelling. Christie, and others, mainly students, as UnderStory, did meaningful theatre work utilizing drama therapy, storytelling and applied theatre - a few terms that could describe the work. When I came along we explored some themes common to humanity such as Love and politics. We read poetry, created sculptures and improvisation to further explore these themes. In Christie's words: "UnderStory was birthed by a fabulous group of kids who listened and shared their whole selves. So glad this moment lives on xoxoxo ."
Sharing their WHOLE SELVES. How often do you are I do that?
The official UnderStory process went dormant for time as many of the kids that participated in Understory graduated moved on and Christie moved on to some other projects. But the UnderStory remained, as the understory does; alive and supportive. I slept with the concept and it gave me hope. It still does.
The moment I heard her say: "Understory" it just 'clicked' inside of me. It is SO ripe with meaning and a comforting image.
The UnderStory grows in the shade.
It participates in the whole glorious life process under the forest canopy. For me it meant that I had somewhere to hold my thoughts on healing and the arts, particularly drama but also the connection to all domains of development: physical/emotional, biological and spiritual.
To me the UnderStory, with the "s" capitalized to draw attention to the narratives that we all have and the reality that underneath it all there is really one human story. We all need safety to grow and flourish and, yet, we can still develop in the most harrowing conditions due to our resilient nature.
Until next time,
pilar
i'm getting weepy :)
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