I have spent the last two weeks writing about everything I learned throughout this project and wrapping up the theatre piece for the reader's theatre presentation. BUT I am finally DONE! I've submitted my first draft and held the reader's theatre. Now I just have to add a bit to the paper about the reader's theatre itself and the assessment from the participants and wait for feedback from my Mentor and Advisor. What a relief! What a huge weight lifted and gigantic sense of accomplishment! But not just because I finished 2 years of an intense master's program, but because of how much I've learned and grown along the way. I've struggled so much to figure out how to be in Camden and offer who I am to the city and the people without hurting it and this project helped me not only figure out a way, but figure out that I'm already on my way. But don't just take my word for it, here is what the participants said:
1)"I loved working on this project/piece with everyone involved. I have taken acting classes and have read some plays but I have never taken part in writing one. This opened my eyes to what it truly means to write something meaningful and close to your heart. I enjoyed the company of everyone I worked with on this our team of highly skilled writer worked around a bowl a popcorn to make this happen. At no point in this project did I ever feel like "this is work" the discussion always felt organic and natural. There is nothing I would change about the process that we used to write our masterpiece. I did find some of the articles we review during the meetings and on our blog very eye opening. I have always known what people thought of Camden, but I never knew they had such a grim view of its residents. They had no respect for anyone in this rundown city of mine even if they were honest to good working people. But, overall it was an enriching life experience and I would do it all over again if I was given a chance."
2) "My experience doing this project was great. Doing this project has made me see that I actually do have a voice. It’s taught me that I can speak out and say what I feel. I’m thankful to have been apart of something that made a difference in my eyes. When Stevie reached out to me and told me about the project I didn’t hesitate at all. I just had a feeling that something awesome was going to come from it. I feel as though I represented my city in a good manner. Me actually letting other inside my world was tough but I feel a sort of relief. This project has made me see that I’m important."
3) "My experience about the project made me realize who I am today. It made me think what I should be doing to reach my goals in the future. My experience made me realize how beautiful Camden is. What I liked about this project is that we are trying to make a difference to our city. Not everybody wants the best to their city. But does that mean we shouldn’t? No. What Stevie wanted us to do is to make a difference in this city. Not negative, but positive. For me, the reader’s theatre is perfect. It would tell us what our mistakes are so that we can fix them, or what they like, etc. I have learned so much. The most thing that I learned was myself. I learned that I am a strong and independent woman that makes mistakes but learn from them so that I don’t do it again. I said yes to this project because I knew it was the right thing to do. And because I would do anything for Stevie."
I am so touched by their words and really encouraged that I'm going the right way - the way of relationship reconciliation and transformation through listening. They are not just participants in my project, they've become my friends.
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