Girl Be Heard encourages young women to process trauma through art and community
The house lights dim as 11 young women take the stage in a theater in New York City.
The house lights dim as 11 young women take the stage in a theater in New York City. This isn’t a Broadway production, it’s the latest cohort of Girl Be Heard, an arts and leadership- centered organization performing their very own theatrical performance, “Rise: The Pursuit of Utopia.”
The Brooklyn-based organization, which seeks “to advance dialogue about social justice issues, from racism to gender inequity,” teaches skills in activism, performance and communication in after-school and weekend programs, to help participants amplify their personal stories and work through their own trauma by using art and community healing.
More than 600 young people — girls, young women, and those who are gender expansive — are enrolled in their programming each year, and Girl Be Heard has performed in front of over 15,000 people globally.
Hundreds of young people have joined Girl Be Heard and found healing through art, writing, creating and performing. Courtesy Girl Be Heard“Rise,” written and produced by the cast, reflects themes of liberation and community healing which Cynthia Renta, the executive director, said is integral to her organization.
“The reality is that the community has a lot to do with the amount of validation, and the amount of support that they could be giving young people to make sure that they are journeying safely through life,” Renta said.
Rating: 5