Programs
Recovery Through The Arts
Recovery Through the Arts cultivates a sense of belonging and purpose for individuals with substance use disorder
Programs are conducted in centers serving youth or adults who struggle with substance use disorder.
Teaching artists, who are trained in trauma-informed practices and include lived experience experts, create a safe creative space for reflection and sharing.
Participants are guided to voice their stories through short individual scripts that are performed by professional actors.
As playwrights, partcipants examine the risks, behavior and settings that can impact the decision to use drugs.
Participants practice managing emotions, explore positive problem-solving, and recognize how drug use impacts not only themselves, but others in their life.
Programs help build cognitive, social, and emotional coping skills to nurture a healthy and thriving future.
Program Components
- Series extend for 10-weeks and are led by two teaching artists.
- Playwriting sessions meet for 1-hour or 90-minutes once per week
- The group meets in restorative circles to check in and gauge the energy of each partcipant
- On-your-feet group exercises connect the mind and body and bring the focus into the present
- Writing exercises are introduced, modeling samples previously written or improvised in the moment
- Participants are given time to write
- Writing is read aloud by peers and instructors
- Teaching artists lead an uplifting discussion to celebrate the writers work
- Writers are encouraged to expand the writing, noting aspects of the writing that spark curiosity
- Selections from each participant are performed by professional actors at the end of the program
Options
- Participants are given the option to continue writing between classes
- Participants who wish to further develop their writing are supported in developing short plays
- Participants may decide to invite loved ones to the final performance or may just serve the group
Program Participant
Substance Use Counselor