Like every kid, I learned about conflict from my family. When my mother told me to go outside and “run off my anger,” I did, returning determined to be angry. But I wasn’t quite so angry, I noticed. It was then I realized I had a choice. I believe with a little creativity and support, we can all realize the choices we have–and make very new ones.
Transforming negative conflict cycles has been a passion of mine. As a scholar, mediator, educator, trainer, artist and even a fundraiser, my passion has been to bring our creative resources to catalyze community changes.
My studies and work have been in communities of ethnic tension – Northern Ireland, Former Yugoslavia, Iraq and most recently, my hometown.
In college, I started a conflict facilitation program from the lessons of the 1992 Rodney King verdict and its nation-wide responses. That work developed in numerous training opportunities for organizations, universities and religious communities. From this, I have gained both analysis and practical approaches to transform groups into productive, dynamic teams.
I grew up in York County, Pennsylvania and have returned to the area after fifteen years in New England, Europe and Washington, DC. When I moved back with my bi-national family in 2006, I soon became involved in a working group addressing simmering racial divisions in York. I soon after launched a project in Playback Theatre to harvest community stories around this red hot topic.
In the last ten year, my work has been more about play. I am exploring how creative, embodied tools using theatre, movement and “games” can build trust, enable honesty, welcome stories, cultivate listening and shift group dynamics. The tools draw from a number of improvisational disciplines including Playback Theatre, Theatre of the Oppressed, Contact Improvisation and more. They range from structured dialogue and role playing to participatory theatre performances by trained improvisational actors. It’s joyful work and it’s been gratifying to see its impact on people of all ages and cultures.
Stay tuned for more on…
- My professional experience.
- My education and training.
- My research and writing.
- My creative zone.
Thanks for visiting. Contact me here.