The Things We Can't Hear In Silence: A New Works Festival Play

04/16/2019

We challenge you to break the silence!

04/16/2019

Take a cheat sheet, and one or more strings you've chosen based on their meaning. If you see someone with the same color bracelet, we challenge you to make Winship a community of consensual conversation, authentic and honest communication, and a place where new friends are accepted, new ideas are welcome, and human connection isn't out of style.

04/10/2019

Have you had an experience with the lack of disability inclusion with UT student orgs? We want to hear your voice?

Join the conversation on the petition comment board today!

Disability Inclusion for UT Affiliated Orgs/GreekLife: Advertise and Accept Accommodations

04/10/2019

While UT chants "what starts here changes the world", we ask them to take a moment and listen, because we've been chanting "what's included here changes the world" for years now. It's time we're heard as well.

Sign this petition to encourage the conversation about disability inclusion within UT affiliated student organizations, the available accommodations, and advertisement of such.

Tolerance is a bandaid. Inclusion is the cure.

Disability Inclusion for UT Affiliated Orgs/GreekLife: Advertise and Accept Accommodations

04/10/2019

Do you know what an invisible illness really is?
Find out with the Invisible Disabilities Association!

- What is it?
https://invisibledisabilities.org/what-is-an-invisible-disability/

-Learn more! What's IDA's mission?
https://invisibledisabilities.org/about/aboutida/

-IDA's Blog!
https://invisibledisabilities.org/blogs/

-Want to join the IDA support community?
https://invisibledisabilities.org/connect/invisible-disabilities-association-support-community-on-inspire/

-The misrepresentation: "But you look good."
https://invisibledisabilities.org/ida-books-pamphlets/butyoulookgood/

-Representatives! Maybe you relate, or maybe you learn! Check it out!
https://invisibledisabilities.org/invisible-no-more-campaign/

To define invisible disability in simple terms is an invisible condition that limits a person’s movements or activities and often is misunderstood by others

03/16/2019

I have struggled with rare illnesses since I was a child. I know the important effect a nurse has on every patient or client they interact with. I appreciate how tirelessly they work on documentation, research, and more, how difficult keeping up that warmth for the patient and attention for the doctor can be, how much strength it takes to not bring home the haunting stories they hear while sitting bedside struggling patients to lend an ear or hold a hand. They problem solve on the spot, do triage, work the ER, and keep the gears running smoothly. I have seen the grunt work, the belittling of their status despite resume or ability, the repetitive chores, and ridiculous hours. Nurses are the first responders to the humanity of a patient as well as the elbow grease to the system. that goes into being a nurse. Representation for those with disabilities, and stories untold, is a a big goal for this project, but we don't want to forget those that tirelessly bring light and hope into our lives, that find ways of not just spreading the message of empathy but getting a degree and committing a career to it. Nurses are under appreciated with stories untold, by far, so this is a well deserved tribute.

"The Garden of Light features a makeshift plot of 2,100 illuminated flowers. Each handmade daffodil represents a Marie Curie nurse and poignantly symbolizes their dedication to 'bringing light in the darkest hours'. As visitors wander through the installation’s winding pathways, they hear recordings of nurses reading letters they’ve received from families of patients, and are eventually invited to write a heartfelt memory of a lost loved on the Garden of Light‘s memory wall.... [This multi-media installation was created] to celebrate the annual launch of the Great Daffodil Appeal, a fundraiser held by Marie Curie that invites individuals to make donations and support the cause by sporting daffodil pins. Through the installation, the charity hopes to bring attention to the appeal and to its nurses’ undying selflessness."

03/13/2019

I'm proud to introduce you all to our lovely JOSEPH GONZALEZ! Joseph, or Joe, is a sophomore double major in Theatre & Dance, with a focus in acting, and Microbiology. Joseph is full of surprises, is quite adaptable, and, by being a part of a devised show, has gotten to spread his wings with his creative ideas. From studying tiny living organisms and focusing on his science degree to hopping up on stage to bring genuine moments to comedic stories and comedic moments to dramatic narratives, Joseph is ready to go. Versatility would be the best way to describe our hilarious and insightful Jack-of-all-trades, or in this case Joe of all trades. In conversation about this process, Joseph stated, "I think creating a character from scratch has been a very interesting process". He mentioned how enlightening it is to base a character off of himself, yet step out of his comfort zone to meld it into another archetype far from his typecast to create someone genuine, authentic, but also allows him to walk a mile in someone else's shoes. He fits perfectly into the setting of a partially devised show, and we can't wait to help him showcase his amazing comedic timing, and natural gift for honest connection. According to him, "it's super cool to actually be a part of creating a play" and he's "super excited to be apart of this project" specifically and all it stands for. We love working with you, Joseph Gonzalez! Thanks for helping break the silence!

03/10/2019

April 15th - 19th in the Lab Theater at the University of Texas, "The Things We Can't Hear In Silence" is playing!
Magic, disabilities rights awareness, the devised work showcasing the hidden hardships and heroics of our peers, and the evolution of understanding in today's digital and disconnected age.
What's our message? Empathy is a verb. Feel it, apply it, change your community from the inside out. For a creative example, come see the show in April and watch our protagonist learn how to do so herself, but from the outside in, as empathy is personified with a little dash of magical realism.
However, until then, for more of look into the process you can follow our instagram, or any of our hashtags, or
Interested in Donating? :)
If you'd like to donate to helping create this production and fund our community engagement on these topics, please feel free to do so through our Go Fund Me link below! We, as a group of learning collegiate artists, would appreciate the support more than you know! Thank you again! Link can be found on our instagram bio or on this page!

03/09/2019

Introducing KRISTEN HOSTY, a double major in Theatre Studies and Psychology through the University of Texas at Austin. We got quite lucky to have someone working with community engagement that has the human psychological insight as well as a passion for sharing lessons, ideas, and stimulate teamwork through the fine arts. Kristen definitely brings energy and creativity to the community engagement team. She is dedicated to breaking the silence, helping our community become more disability aware, inclusive through communication, and authentic in our day to day lives to the point we understand how to not only feel empathy but apply it. She is a bright soul with a bright mind, and we have so much fun collaborating with her. With her natural warmth, compassion for others, and ability to use the theatrical arts to address social justice issues, Kristen has already helped a great deal with putting together our small pre-festival challenge and "inclusion instillation". She makes everyone she interacts with feel welcome, interested, and truly seen. So, thank you Kristen Hosty for helping us break the silence!

03/04/2019

Introducing our lovely ANNA ALTAMIRANO from the cast of "The Things We Can't Hear In Silence". This is what the freshman BA in UT's Theatre & Dance for Performers Process said when we asked what she hears in silence: "I can hear joyful words that dance in my mind as I think about unconditional love. I can hear my dark side, and accept it. I need negativity to become stronger. I hear patterns and colors that wake me up at 3 am to paint on a white canvas. Silence is a form of self awareness, which opens my mind to thoughts of who I should be, should say, and how to live my life. Silence is both my biggest strength and my weakness." This was very moving, and we can certainly hear that musical theatre passion in her words. After devising a bit with us this semester, her advice regarding these themes would be "that the most genuine way of living as human beings is to let go of our ego, accept who we are, observe the world around us in hopes of making a change... This powerful art is a tool that will allow us to break this socially corrupted world we live in and open people’s mind to true emotion, connection, and most importantly, empathy." Anna is certainly an example of how to use theatre to unpack a soul with appreciation, forgiveness, and curiosity. "We need change," she said. Concise and correct. Young and fiery Anna Altamirano is on an admirable path, I'd say. Thank you for your voice, spirit, and artistry, Anna! Let's break the silence!!

02/28/2019

A big part of applying empathy rather than simply experiencing empathy is taking the step from silently interpreting the acts of love to communicating how the two/group of you best receive/show love. Without that, common miscommunications can spin skip empathy and breed judgment and hurt fast.
When it comes to showing love in forms of gratitude, affection, validation, or romance, the common problem that plagues them is communication. It can be fatal to friendships, relationships, and even family, because ironically that unspoken discomfort is going to be the loudest silence you've ever heard eventually; Body language doesn't lie.
To better communicate about love and treat empathy like a verb, take the "Love Languages Quiz"! Start communicating with your loved ones about your needs and your perspective today!
Is your love language physical touch, words of affirmation, acts of service, gifts, or quality time? Let's love consciously and communicate lovingly!
Link below!
https://www.5lovelanguages.com