Girl Be Heard Spring Newsletter: Blossoming Programs, Shows & More! 🌸
Dear Friends,
After a long winter, we are finally entering a vibrant season of sunshine and warmer days! The Girl Be Heard team and I hope that you and your families have continued to stay healthy, safe and inspired. In recent weeks, we've learned that COVID cases are dropping in all five boroughs of New York. While communities slowly begin to transition back into public spaces, we are enthusiastic about soon connecting, performing and sharing space with you again.
Last month we joined Brooklyn Ballet's Culture Window performance series, where our superstar participants had the opportunity to safely perform for Downtown Brooklyn audiences. While our upcoming shows and events will remain virtual - including our 2021 Mainstage Show: The People v. Justice - we loved getting a glimpse of what it will be like to shift back into the in-person theatre and performing arts scene.
Girl Be Heard's staple weekend programs, seasonal camps and interactive workshops continue to expand and enliven the virtual experience for our talented participants. From expressive dance and movement to a cultural exploration of NYC, our youth are moving and discovering new ways to create art and seek justice. Our dedicated staff and teaching artists have been deepening our innovative digital approach to creative youth development - and I truly cannot wait to see our organizational efforts blossom even further this season.
Through the transition of each season, we are honored to have ongoing support from you, our close-knit community of friends and supporters. Having you on this journey with Girl Be Heard strengthens our growing movement and mission to uplift young leaders and change-makers.
Be sure to get up to speed below on all that we've been up to, and what's to soon come. We've got exciting events and opportunities on the agenda and we hope you can join us. Let's keep this energy going!
Warmly,
Chiwoniso and Team Girl Be Heard
Participant Spotlight
Girl Be Heard participants are shining lights - and we are excited to spotlight a few who are currently enrolled in our programming! Our Teaching Artists share some wonderful reflections below:
Brook-Lynn Legendre (Hudde): Since the first day I met Brook-Lynn she was an absolute gem! From her acting expertise, rapping skills, music taste, amazing dance moves to her overall sparkling personality, Brook-Lynn is always bringing joy to our Hudde sessions. She’s constantly uplifting those around her and her positivity is infectious! I look forward to seeing all the amazing things that Brook-Lynn creates during our time in Hudde and BEYOND! -TA Felisha
Kawtar Karmouni (Sunday Queens Workshop): Coming to us from Toronto, we are grateful to have Kawtar as part of our ensemble! She is fearless and willing to share her knowledge and inspirations. Always ready to learn with others, and lead with curiosity - her ideas, resources, and questions have helped shape our sessions and we are thankful for that! Also a big THANK YOU for all her wonderful and hysterical song requests (shout out to introducing Adriana to Heathers the musical!). -TA Adriana & TA Marissa
Girl Be Exploring: 2021 Summer Camp
Join Girl Be Heard this summer to get out and explore NYC! Campers will participate in one week of cultural field trips around New York City (full day) followed by one week of half day camps where campers will work in the studio to answer what it means to be resilient coming out of 2020 as a New Yorker. There are limited spots available (8 per session). Current and new GBH participants between the ages of 13-18 from BIPOC backgrounds are encouraged to apply. Camps will take place in person.
Join Our Be! Workshop Series this Spring
Our interactive Be! Workshops are back this spring season! Love to Dance? Performing? Telling Stories? Join Girl Be Heard's Be! Moved dance activism workshop series and exlore the art of storytelling through movement and dance.
Cook for a Cause!
Join Girl Be Heard on Thursday, May 20th from 6-8pm EST for an exciting, hands-on virtual fundraiser cooking class that will support the promotion of young people's self-expression & empowerment. Led by Chef and Cookbook Author Alison Roman, you will learn cooking fundamentals & a special recipe to create at home. All fundraiser proceeds will be donated to Girl Be Heard's youth arts and activism programs.
Test & Trace Town Hall
Auditions are still open for Girl Be Heart's staple education program, Weekend Workshop! You can learn more and send in your audition in just a few simple steps on our website at girlbeheard.org/audition. We are excited to see what our participants will create this school year during our virtual programming efforts!
Amplify #GBHNow!
On International Women's Day this year, we launched our latest global advocacy campaign: Girl Be Heard Now. Youth from around the country have been sharing how they use their voices and power to create change in their communities, and how they advocate for gender justice and equality - thus being leaders in their own right. You can sign-on to support the campaign or submit your entry to be highlighted as a leader on our social platforms via the link below.
GBH Merch: Tees, Totes & More!
Looking for a way to express your leadership and advocacy through your style? Check out our Girl Be Heard Merch Shop. Participants whose designs are used on our merch items receive a portion of every sale! All other proceeds go towards supporting our youth arts education programming in schools and community centers in NYC and beyond.
Building Youth Resilience & Staying Connected
We are honored and grateful for all of the support received from near and far throughout this very uncertain time. While we continue to expand in the virtual space, we invite you to help us stay as committed and connected to our youth as possible.
Small gestures like joining our monthly donor program or amplifying our work on social media allows Girl Be Heard to continue youth programming throughout NYC and beyond, thus transforming lives through social justice theatre-making and the arts. Learn more about our programs in our latest sizzle reel above!
Resources for Process + Reflection
Read
We Should All Be Feminists by Chimamanda Ngozi Adiche
Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi
Such a Fun Age by Kiley Reid