Get to Know Mr. Harnett of Murphy School Marketing and Development Associate, Kelsey, sat down with Mr. Jose Harnett, an 8th grade teacher at the Richard J. Murphy School in Dorchester and an Urban Improv partner educator. He shared about his experience with Urban Improv, teaching during a pandemic, and what
What is a Microaggression? Kids want to know.
What is a Microaggression? Kids want to know. Defined as any instance of indirect, subtle, or unintentional discrimination against members of a marginalized group, microaggressions permeate our culture. Whether in schools, workplaces, or communities, and perhaps not necessarily explicitly malicious, they reflect the institutionalized internal systems that propagate racism, homophobia, sexism and discrimination. In short,
Rehearsal for Life | Commitment to Community Health
Rehearsal for Life | Commitment to Community Health As we transition back to in-person programming, Rehearsal for Life is committed to providing a safe and healthy environment for all of our students, families and staff. Our goal is to maintain the physical and mental health and general well being of our community, while continuing to
Exploring Loss & Grief through Urban Improv
During the 2020-2021 school year, Urban Improv partnered with Dr. Joseph Spinazzola and the Foundation Trust to innovate a new curriculum exploring loss and grief. The result has been three new filmed scenes called “After Koda,” in which a group of young people grapple with the recent sudden death of a young friend. Our collaborative,
Life Unscripted #3: Youth Unscripted: “The Life That’s Within Us All”
Holly Tarnower (she/her) is a Teaching Artist with Urban Improv and Rehearsal for Life’s Resident Scholar. Her blog, Life Unscripted, offers audiences a deeper look into our organization's work, shedding light on our processes, practices and experiences with students. According to Holly, staying connected to — and being able to look more closely at — a
A Call for Community Action
Friday, March 19, 2021 In theatre for social justice and creative youth development, the term "safe space" is often used. There is a desire for the arts to become a haven for our children in response to the lived experiences that surround them. The reality is that these spaces are not safe for all. As
Life Unscripted #2: A Conversation on Music in the Urban Improv Classroom
Holly Tarnower (she/her) is a Teaching Artist with Urban Improv and Rehearsal for Life’s Resident Scholar. Her blog, Life Unscripted, offers audiences a deeper look into our organization's work, shedding light on our processes, practices and experiences with students. According to Holly, staying connected to — and being able to look more closely at — a
Celebrating Kippy and Cissa: A Message from James Benenson and Lisa Alvord
As Chair of Rehearsal for Life and Co-Producer of Banned in Boston, we are sharing exciting changes in our organization. This is a critical time for Rehearsal for Life, as we have built significant momentum as leaders in social-emotional learning and creative youth development — 46 years in the making. In July 2021, Kippy Dewey
Peace as a mandate: A Message from Executive & Artistic Director Elena Velasco
Thursday, January 7, 2021 Dear Rehearsal for Life community, Yesterday, our nation should have been celebrating our democracy and the tradition of the peaceful transition of power. Instead, the events that took place exemplified the effects of divisive leadership and deeply-rooted resistance to change that embraces equity, diversity, inclusion and anti-racism. Yet this is not