Wounded Healers
Wounded Healers: Overcoming by Word of Our Testimonies
A Spoken-Word Performance Written Composed, and Directed by Dr. Timothy Berry
Set Design – Michael Berry
Paintings by Derrick Abner
Lighting and Sound Design by Josiah Berry
Abstract
Wounded Healers won seven national awards from the Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival. In America, there is a need to understand precolonial Africa. We began with our humanity. However, due to systemic racism, Black bodies have been excluded from upward mobility, victimized by dehumanization, fallen prey to biased and racist policing practices, and plagued by disparities in health and education. Such conditions have led to internalizing toxic race-based stress, causing damage to the central nervous system. Yet, against all odds, Black bodies have creatively persisted and survived. Drawing upon a conceptual framework inspired in part by Tupac Shakur–imagery of roses growing through concrete–this story addresses historical trauma and creative resilience. Related to the oral tradition of African/Black Djalis, this spoken-word performance play focuses on five movements/historical periods that function as a chronology of Black bodies grappling with racialized trauma in America: (1) Chattel Hands and Feet; (2) Reconstruction: My Sin is My Skin; (3) The Great Migration: Running for Our Lives; (4) Civil Rights Without Democracy; and (5) Black Body Commodities and Wounded Healing. Combining multiple disciplines including, Africana/Black Studies, Critical Race Theory (CRT), History, Neuroscience, Music Composition, and Creative Writing, this work expresses the ways in which Black bodies have suffered, transcended their own pain, and fostered healing through creativity. A post-performance discussion is offered for audience members to engage in reflection and critical discourse with the writer, and performers. Drawing upon experiential education models for reflection, this discussion aims to inform audiences about the healing process by better understanding the history and connection between structural racism, body trauma, and self healing.
Optional Professional Development Session
Dr. Timothy Berry – Racial Equity Facilitator
Wounded Healers and The Road to Somatic Liberation
Outline
This training engages participants in a comprehensive approach to learn about racialized trauma. Foundational to this professional development experience is a historical, theoretical, and cultural examination of racism. Participants are encouraged to consider somatic liberation. Participants will better understand physiological, psychological, and biological body trauma; the healing process; and, how to explore holistic well-being.
Costs: email Dr. Berry to get the costs of the following options
Option 1 - Performance/Discussion Format (2 hours)
Option 2 - Performance 3-hour professional Development (4 hours)
Bookings: Contact Dr. Timothy Berry from the contact me page.
Interactive Theater of Isms
Through informance combining theater and researched based content, this presentation aims to increase awareness and guide reflection related anti-blackness, racism, sexism, and other forces that work to diminish rather than empower individuals and communities. The setting of interactive theater of isms is a talk show entitled the uprootED Show. It engages the audience through the host of the uprootED show and guest panelists grappling with how to Build a Wider Road Toward Racial Equity in Education and beyond.
Contact us to schedule an Informance.
Community Music Making and drumming
Drum Circle and/or Community Music Making
Outline
This seminar engages participants of all ages to build community through drum circles, creating sound scapes, and more!
Outcomes
Participants will learn drum rhythms of various Pan African Traditions and other creative concepts for making music. This experience aims to explore ways to build community, appreciate diversity, and uplift everyone in the circle. Workshops are available for educators, community and business organizations, church groups, and more.
- Team building
- Create somatic wellness
- Understand the importance of community
The Road to Racial Justice
The Road to Racial Equity and Social Justice: A Pathway for Systemic Transformation
Outline
This seminar engages participants in a comprehensive approach to learn about the social constructs of race. Foundational to this professional development experience is a historical, theoretical, and cultural examination of racism and what it takes to advocate for racial justice across industry such as healthcare, education, business, and law enforcement. The concepts and framework introduced during this day-long seminar includes: Racial Literacy, and Participatory Action Research. Participants are introduced to a process to discuss critical race perspectives necessary for interrupting hierarchies of oppression. Additionally, the power of language is explored to promote critical inquiry in order to begin organizational efforts in policy-making, practice, and transformational racial justice initiatives. This seminar will enhance an individual's or organization’s ability to identify and address inequities in the work place or in communities.
Outcomes
Participants will learn the skills and language necessary to:
- Explore their own racial literacy.
- Examine race as a mediating factor for social justice.
- Recognize how critical race perspectives can influence racial equity.
- Distinguish the complexities of race, culture and diversity.
- Work in teams to understand action research processes toward building a better working and living environment for all people.