Monday, April 1st 6pm-8pm
Free Pizza Provided!
Mission
What does identity mean to you?
Identity Lab uses improvisation, storytelling, and scene work to explore various aspects of masculinity and to foster understanding, challenge stereotypes, and promote healthy and inclusive perspectives. Mudlark’s Identity Lab is developed in collaboration with University of Illinois Youth Development MEd student and former Blue Man Group performer, David Seeber. Mudlark’s Identity Lab asks: Can improvisation and play be used to facilitate deep reflection and learning about self, society, and the stories that surround us?
All improv experience levels are welcome!
*No personal data will be collected during this workshop. The goal is to explore the discussion and action created through improvisation and theater activities.
About David
David Seeber is an educator and multidisciplinary artist based in Chicago. He is currently enrolled in the Youth Development MEd program at UIC where his research explores adolescent sexuality development, peer education, and participatory methods for helping young people identify the issues affecting their communities, collect and analyze data, and generate and share knowledge.
For the past ten years, David has worked as a sexual violence prevention educator, speaking with thousands of young people about healthy sexuality and relationships at universities and military installations across the country. Additionally, he is a Chicago Children’s Theater teaching artist where he leads SEL-based theater and improv residencies.
David has performed with Steep Theatre Company, Steppenwolf Theatre, and Blue Man Group, among others, and makes music under the name Otto Rollo. David is a volunteer with CISV and can be seen rolling around town on a big unicycle.
David is so excited to be collaborating with Mudlark Theater on Identity Lab: Exploring I. This workshop is the culmination of David’s graduate studies and aligns with Mudlark’s philosophy of taking young artists seriously as creators and collaborators. Grounded in the frameworks of participatory action research and positive youth development, Identity Lab lives at the intersection of improvisation and youth identity development to create a fun environment where kids can work together with peers and adults to explore issues important to them.
MISSON
Theatre can happen anywhere! Young artists will spend the afternoon exploring the Mudlark Theater building and finding inspiration in the nooks and crannies off the stage for your own site-specific play. Learn about this exciting and unique type of theatre in order to write and perform your very own piece in an interesting offstage space that afternoon!
Work With Jenni!
Jenni Lamb (she, her) is a veteran performer, writer, teacher, and theater maker in Chicago. She is a former resident playwright at Chicago Dramatists and the Goodman Playwrights Unit. Her plays have had readings and workshops with companies in Chicago, New York, and Los Angeles. Jenni is a recipient of the 3Arts Make-A-Wave and Crowdfunding Grants, and she holds an MFA in Writing for the Screen + Stage from Northwestern University. Jenni is a former member of the Living Room Playmakers and founder of Second Site, a collective focused on creating performance in non-traditional spaces.
Mudlark Theater has been invited by Kuumba Evanston to perform at the big opening ceremony of their summer olympics on June 14th! We are planning on devising/choreographing a piece to share at the event and would love to include any Mudlark Young Artists that are interested join in the process of creation.
Interest Meeting: Saturday March 9th at ETHS at 11:00 am
Rehearsal Schedule will be based on availability and be held at Mudlark Theater 1417 Hinman Ave
If you are unable to make the interest meeting, or have any further questions please reach out to avery@mudlarktheater.org
This Year’s Book
Seventh grader Rahim Reynolds loves testing out the gadgets invented by his brilliant friend Kasia Collins. First, there were the X-ray glasses and all the trouble they caused. Now, there’s the new cell phone she built for his birthday. What he doesn’t know is the phone has a special battery that interfaces with a secret government satellite, which spells trouble when the phone transports him back to 1997.
Almost immediately, he learns what every time traveler before him has: Actions in the past jeopardize the future. With Kasia as his only lifeline to the present, Rahim works with her to get home unscathed, all the while dodging bullies (on his end) and suspicious government agents (on hers). Rhythm of Time delivers a high-velocity tale where two best friends discover that sometimes the best beat is the one that brings you back home.
Mission
The goal of Story Quest, a hybrid book and theater club for black-identified youth, is to engage Black youth grades 3-5 with a text that speaks to their experience. With partnership through Evanston Public Libraries, a Black identified Mudlark Teaching artist guides participants through exploration and embodiment of the book's themes, connecting kids’ imaginations and literacy skills, exploring the world of storytelling, and building connections with each other through the stories we delve into.
Teaching Artist
Avery Ford (he/him) is an actor, improviser, and theatre educator originally from Houston, Texas. He attended Howard University and Colby College where he graduated with a BA in Acting Techniques and a B.Ed in Education. Since moving to Chicago in 2023 he has been a teaching artist with Congo Square Theater, Filament Theatre, Northlight Theatre, and a monologue coach for the August Wilson Monologue Competition. Recent performance credits include Fences (National Players), Much Ado About Nothing (National Players), Ripcord (Oil Lamp Theater), Improvised DCOM (iO Theater), and Keystone Deconstruction (iO Theater).
Location
Falcon Room at Evanston Public Library
Class Dates
March 5th, 12th, 19th
No class on March 26
April 2nd, 9th, 16th, 23rd, 30th
May 7th
Objective
The Learning Through The Arts program will help develop a student’s creative side with an arts-based curriculum. Collaborating with several Evanston arts programs, including Mudlark Theater, Cherry will bring local artists into the classroom once a week for music, dance and theater.
Curriculum
We have intentionally designed this class to be interdisciplinary, so as to leave space for the many types of learners and makers that may enroll in this program. While all activities are rooted in theater, we always endeavor to expand beyond performance to offer young people a more holistic, inclusive view of our tradition.
Young artists will learn about using their body, voice, and imagination to build characters. Mudlark Teaching artists will be introducing performance fundamentals, building social emotional skills through theater games, and creative drama exercises.
In terms of performance, it is our hope that this class will culminate in a sharing that can be filmed and sent home for families to enjoy and celebrate the work of their young artists. Young artists will have the option to perform and/or make objects for this final sharing.
Latinidades for Families
Thank you for your interest in Latinidades! We want to keep you informed about our programming and exciting opportunities for your child. Currently, we are not offering any sessions for Latinidades this winter. However, we encourage you to check back with us soon for updates on future programming.
Latinidades is a transformative initiative that celebrates Latinx identity, empowers young artists, and preserves our vibrant cultural heritage. We are dedicated to providing a nurturing space where creativity and self-discovery flourish. As we continue to develop enriching experiences, we look forward to welcoming your child into our dynamic community.
Stay tuned for updates and announcements on upcoming sessions and events. We can't wait to share the transformative journey of Latinidades with your young artist. If you have any questions or inquiries, please don't hesitate to reach out to us. Thank you for your support, and we look forward to seeing you soon!
Latinidades for Educators
At Mudlark Theater, we are dedicated to honoring the power of knowledge and resource sharing when it comes to identity-specific programming. As educators, we understand the importance of bringing inclusive and culturally responsive experiences to our communities. With this in mind, we have curated a series of sessions designed to support the Latinx community in Evanston.
We welcome fellow educators to learn more about each session by accessing the public resource guides below.
We believe that the impact of these sessions can be magnified when shared and we encourage educators to come together to explore the materials, share their insights and experiences, and build a community of mutual support and learning.
Session 1
Winter 2022
Que es Latinidad?
Session 1 of the project was a 10-class exploratory workshop that sparked creativity and self-discovery among middle school and high school students in Evanston. Centered around the thought-provoking question "Que es Latinidad?" the sessions delved into the diverse and multifaceted Latinx experience. Through engaging art projects, the students embarked on a journey of personal research, exploring the intersection of creative expression and their own unique histories. The workshop served as a vibrant platform for young artists to delve into their cultural identities, fostering a deeper appreciation for the power of art as a means of self-exploration and connection to their heritage.
Session 2
Spring 2023
Northwestern’s Myrna García, associate professor of instruction in Latina and Latino Studies program, reading Marisol McDonald’s Doesn’t Match, a book about a Peruvian-Scottish-American girl.
To unlearn some of the stereotypes associated with people migrating from Latin America and other Spanish-speaking countries, Mudlark’s Latinx program highlighted the beauty of the migration of butterflies, which are called “mariposas” in Spanish.
SPRING BREAK 2023
Session 2 of the Latinidades project, the Latinidades Break Camp, was a 5-day program empowering young artists to explore and celebrate Latina/o/x identities. Supported by Northwestern University, the camp combined theater games, exercises, and personal research, fostering a strong community while creating performances. Participants embraced their diverse backgrounds, finding joy in creative expression and affirming their cultural heritage. The camp left a lasting impact, empowering young artists to connect with their identities within the artistic community.
Session 3
Summer 2023
NORTHWESTERN COURSE
Session 3 of the Latinidades project was a dynamic collaboration with students enrolled in Doctor Myrna Garcia's course, Latino 391: Curandera hi/stories, mo(ve)ments, and knowledge production at Northwestern University. Through their culminating projects, students offered a response to Mudlark's piloted work and their own research with the goal to bridge the gap between academic knowledge in Latinx Studies and arts-based education that empowers young Latine students to connect with their cultural histories and creative spirits.
Guided by the concept of "historian as curandera [healer]," coined by scholar Aurora Levins-Morales, the students engaged in critical inquiries into untold or underrepresented Latinx histories. By challenging harmful narratives and stereotypes that have long pathologized Latinx communities, they embraced the importance of asking questions as a means of empowering creativity and expression. Through this transformative process, the students curated digital archives and designed a curriculum deeply informed by independent research in Latinx Studies and performance studies, setting the stage for an empowering and inclusive educational journey.
Program Info
PROJECT GOALS
The project's mission was twofold: to empower young artists by providing them with a platform to explore their identities through art-making and performance, and to create a comprehensive resource for educators and organizers interested in incorporating Latinx perspectives into their teaching and community initiatives. Through this collaborative effort, we aim to amplify Latinx voices, engage with rich cultural heritage, and empower youth to explore and celebrate their identities. Latinidades is a dynamic partnership between Mudlark, Northwestern University, and dedicated educators, scholars, and students, driving positive change and fostering inclusive education and performance.
PEDAGOGICAL APPROACH
The Historian as Curandera
History is also the story we tell about the past to explain the present and imagine the future, a job that can't be left to storytellers with a stake in exploitation. The Historian As Curandera talks about my vision of what an activist historian does and why it matters. - Aurora Levins Morales
(Image by Ricardo Levins Morales.)
"The Historian as Curandera" by Aurora Levins Morales is an essay that offers a fresh perspective on engaging with marginalized histories. In this piece, Morales challenges readers to critically examine untold histories. She invites us to question the influence of our own perspectives and positionality on our understanding of the past. By making absences visible and centering the marginalized, we can uncover hidden power relations and transform historical narratives.
The concept of the historian as curandera becomes a powerful tool that empowered us to imagine and create rich, creative narratives and performances that honor and celebrate diverse histories.
Guided by the concept of "historian as curandera [healer]," we encouraged critical inquiries into maligned Latinx histories. Emphasizing the importance of asking questions as well as answering them, we challenged students to explore positionality, evidence, marginalization, and power relations. By embracing complexity and disrupting harmful narratives, we empower students to imagine and create rich, authentic narratives and performances that honor their identities.
Dr. Myrna García
Associate Professor of Instruction, Latina and Latino Studies at Northwestern University
Gabriel Guzman
PhD candidate in Performance Studies
Anastacia Narrajos
Mudlark Education Manager Emeritus
Henry Godinez
Department Chair; Professor Department of Theatre at Northwestern University
PARTNERS
The Latinidades project is done in partnership with Northwestern University. In collaboration with professors Dr. Myrna Garcia and Henry Godinez, who bring their expertise and knowledge to enrich our program, The Mudlark team, headed by Anastacia Narrajos, began to collaborate with our partners to build a new project focused on the Evanston Lantine community. Doctor Garcia's research on Chicana movements and her popular course on Latinx Chicago paired with the assistance and expertise of Gabriel Guzman provided valuable insights and the involvement of Northwestern students in our project. Professor Godinez contributes his deep knowledge of the Latinx literary and theatrical archive and performance practice, serving as a basis for our program. Students enrolled in Doctor Garcia's Latinx Chicago course played a vital role in the Latinidades project. Their culminating projects resulted in a creative response to the piloted work conducted by Mudlark and their research on cultural performance in the city. These projects will inform the next stage of the project's curriculum development, adding valuable perspectives and insights.
TEACHING ARTISTS
The Latinidades program at Mudlark Theater boasts a diverse roster of Latine Teaching Artists who have generously shared their experiences and passion for art to create a vibrant collection of lessons for the program. Each Teaching Artist brings a unique perspective, cultural background, and artistic style to their teachings, resulting in an exciting and dynamic curriculum that reflects the rich diversity of the latine community. From storytelling to dance to visual art, the Latinidades program celebrates the power of art to connect, empower, and inspire latine youth. The Teaching Artists' dedication to their craft and to creating a welcoming and inclusive space for all participants is truly inspiring.
RESEARCH/PROJECT ASSISTANTS/ COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT COORDINATORS
Behind the scenes, a team of dedicated and passionate research assistants has been tirelessly working to curate a treasure trove of resources for teaching artists and to unearth inspiring examples of Latinx performance. Their unwavering commitment and tireless efforts have brought together a collection that celebrates the vibrancy, diversity, and richness of Latinx cultural expressions.
Daniel Calderon
Kelly Vogt
Marisol Barrera
