Your contribution will help launch Parabolic; a new organization that uses storytelling psychology to develop communication strategies and performance art projects that increase community awareness, empathy, and consensus around socio-economic issues.
I'm Jeni Stennis, the founder of Parabolic and creator of The Blind, our inaugural project, now performing as a community engagement event combining a one-act play with an open community conversation. I created the project knowing it could serve as just one example of the kinds of projects and programming that would be possible through such an organization. And now, with your support, we're ready to continue this work!
The first of our community leadership projects, The Blind is a historical meta-drama referencing the death of punk musician and artist Brian Deneke. Utilizing true-story elements such as court transcripts, community interviews, as well as memories and lived experiences, the play reframes an emotionally-charged Texas story in ways that move audience members from detached, externalized empathy to a deeper place of self-examination and personal responsibility. The show emphasizes the cultural context behind the "bystander effect" and asks audiences to examine how "good" people facilitate hate.
Following its premiere at the Fort Worth Fringe Festival and impactful developmental performances, our plan is to bring the community conversation event to more communities in Texas and surrounding states. We're also developing a version for productions in high school settings. We're especially encouraged and inspired by ways in which the script is being used with students in theraputic contexts, and we're exploring ways in which it can be adapted for Social and Emotional Learning and anti-bullying programming in schools. Meanwhile, as the show is refined through performances for a wider range of audiences, I'll be developing a full-length version as well. In addition to these developmental goals, we have an opportunity to bring this story to an international audience at The Camden Fringe Festival in London this year.
The Blind is only the first of many performing arts projects and storytelling leadership trainings that we have in development. We know that with your support we can create new means for engaging our communities and elevating our collective understanding around some of the most pressing socioeconomic issues we face today. THANK YOU for your generous support!