We are so excited to be launching our second Big Learn cohort!
After having such a wonderful and engaging Cohort A, we are elated to begin Cohort B, with Big Learn sessions beginning in May 2022. Cohort B will work together to unpack the racism and anti-Blackness that permeates the New York theater scene, the non-profit industrial complex, and the world at large. Through personal reflection, group discussion, and interactive learning activities, we will identify the responsibilities and capacities we all have to push against these systems and create better ones, both on the macro and micro level.
The sessions will be led by Jodie Geddes and Tom DeWolf of Coming to the Table and Nicole Brewer of Conscientious Theatre Training. This Cohort will be a combination of large group learnings, small working pod sessions, and individual readings and explorations.
Support for these sessions is provided by Brea Clemons (Indie Theater Fund/IndieSpace), Akia Squitieri (New York Innovative Awards), Katie Palmer and Aimee Todoroff (League of Independent Theater), and Ann Marie Lonsdale (Partake Arts). Additional support provided by Randi Berry of the Indie Theater Fund/IndieSpace.
PLEASE READ ALL OF THE BELOW BEFORE FILLING OUT YOUR REGISTRATION THANKS!
WHY THE BIG LEARN
The Indie Theater Fund/IndieSpace, in partnership with the League of Independent Theater (LIT), the NY Innovative Theater Awards (NYITA), and Partake Arts created The Big Learn in 2020 as a series of Anti Racism trainings for independent theater makers and small companies. Our goal is to create space for anti-racist learning, training, and community healing that will address the needs of the large and diverse community of “downtown” and “indie” theatre artists living and working in New York City. These group trainings will provide a place for individual artists that do not have a home company to train with and/or for small companies without a budget for this type of work. We know that many in our community have been doing this work for some time and others of us are brand new to it. As white-run institutions, the Indie Theater Fund, LIT, IndieSpace, NYITA, and Partake Arts know we each have significant work to do ourselves, addressing how power and whiteness operate inside our own organizations. We are committed to offering these trainings on an ongoing basis as we know the work will not end after one workshop. The first round of training was graciously funded by the Lucille Lortel Foundation.
ABOUT THE PROGRAM – FOR COHORT B
Cohort B will work together to unpack the racism and anti-Blackness that permeates the New York theater scene, the non-profit industrial complex, and the world at large. Through personal reflection, group discussion, and interactive learning activities, we will identify the responsibilities and capacities we all have to push against these systems and create better ones, both on the macro and micro level.
The sessions will be led by Jodie Geddes and Tom DeWolf of Coming to the Table and Nicole Brewer of Conscientious Theatre Training. This cohort will be a combination of large group learnings, small working pod sessions, and individual readings and explorations.
PROGRAM DATES
IF YOU ARE NOT AVAILABLE FOR ALL TIMES LISTED BELOW, please do not register for this round!!! All training sessions and pod meetings will take place virtually, via Zoom!
Group Session Dates/Times
Thursday, May 5 – 7PM to 10PM – Welcome Session with The Big Learn Team
Thursday, May 12 – 7PM to 10PM – Nicole Brewer – Anti Racist Theater
Thursday, May 19 – 7PM to 10PM – Nicole Brewer – Anti Racist Theater
Thursday, May 26 – 7PM to 10PM – Coming to the Table
Thursday, June 2 – 7PM to 10PM – Closing Session with The Big Learn Team
Pod Dates/Times for Cohort B
You will be asked to participate in the pod offerings, where we will break out into small groups for additional discussions and work in between the facilitated large group sessions.
Pod 1: Monday, May 16 – 7PM – 8:30PM
Pod 2: Monday, May 23 – PM – 8:30PM
COST
The fee for this training will be set on a sliding scale basis. We ask that based on your personal or organizational finances, you make a meaningful contribution (whatever that means for you) towards your training once the cohort is determined. Every dollar contributed will go into a pool of money earmarked to pay for future cohort training. Your contribution seeds the next group of participants.
In the spirit of radical transparency and community, we want to make all expenses clear to participants so that they may help you determine your contribution. This round of training is costing the producing team approximately $350 per person attending. The Lucille Lortel Foundation is a generous sponsor of this program and is helping us offset these costs.
APPLICATION PROCESS
REGISTRATIONS ARE DUE BY Monday, April 4 at 5pm. We will be reviewing on a rolling basis. You will be notified if you are invited into this round by Monday, April 18. Incomplete applications may result in you being pulled from consideration for this round of training.
The producing team will be using certain criteria to put together a balanced cohort. Information we will take into consideration to determine cohorts includes: mix of individual artists and small companies, max number of three participants per theater company, access to training in the past, budget size of the company, and balance regarding personal identities.
Please note that completing this form does not guarantee you one of 35 spots available in this training cohort. If you do not make it into this round, you will have prioritized seating for the next.
If you have any questions at all or if you are interested in being a part of future cohorts coming in 2022/2023, please send a message to thebiglearn@indietheaterfund.org with your name and best contact info.
