Theatre changes everything.
For the better.
We believe that theatre and the narrative arts are the key to empowering all to claim authorship over their stories and live their authentic truths. Our mission is to foster hope and promote healing in individuals, families, and communities through performance, education, and conversation focused on cultivating narrative agency and embracing narrative pluralism.
Theatre for Hope and Healing is a sponsored project of Fractured Atlas, a non-profit arts service organization. Contributions for the charitable purposes of Theatre for Hope and Healing must be made payable to “Fractured Atlas” only and are tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law.
Learn more about our upcoming event and donate to help us cultivate hope and healing within the Chicago community.
What We Offer
Coaching
Group and one-on-one life and actor coaching through therapeutic narrative arts.
Education
In-person workshops, online scene studies, and other options to learn and grow.
Discussion
Community forums, talkbacks, podcasts and other opportunities for healing conversations.
Performance
Plays of all eras explored through lenses of empathy, hope, and mental health.
Our Values
Acceptance
We believe that accepting ourselves and others as human, imperfect, and in-process is a fundamental gesture of compassion that can promote healing and open pathways to meaningful, self-motivated growth. We invite a sense of radical self-acceptance, which includes seeing, loving, and caring for our shadows.
Authenticity
We show up authentically and live our truth, guided by our own internal locus of control. Our work is guided by the wish to help others feel empowered to do the same.
Diversity
We value the beauty and strength of diversity in all areas: ability, age, culture, ethnicity, gender, race, skill, sexuality, and spirituality. We welcome and embrace all.
Hope and Healing
We believe that nurturing the capacity for hope—individually and communally—is the first step to healing the world. We have faith in our fellow humans and in our ability to work together to dismantle systems of oppression and share power equitably.
Inclusion
We pursue radical inclusion that goes beyond equality and open doors. We actively seek ways to increase accessibility and show kindness and respect to all.
Openness
We think outside the box and never assume we have it all figured out. We are open to new experiences and trying new things. We love to hear new ideas and voices.
THH claims authorship of our own story.
And that story is that we help individuals and communities to do the same.
Sometimes we make it up as we go, and sometimes we know the truth in our bones and feel it in our gut so powerfully, our bodies ache if we fight it.
Unfortunately, billions of people around the world do not have the freedom to authentically live their truth – and many have never had the chance to learn how. That’s billions of people whose bodies ache every day, thanks to the power imbalances of patriarchy that have upset the original balance of Mother Earth since the times of Sumer’s first kings.
We may see our 21st-century society today as progressive – and certainly in many areas progress has been made – but we are contending with more than just patriarchy today. As bell hooks has famously said, we are living in an “imperialist white supremacist capitalist patriarchy.”
But we at THH believe there is hope for humanity and that we as a species and a planet can heal through the power of theatre – “the seeing place” – and other narrative art forms (storytelling, poetry, other writing, and even some forms of movement).
The stage is a place where people can speak and experience their truth, sharing it with the world. The audience is a place where we can hear and see other people’s truths and seek to understand. And both the stage and the audience give humans a chance to experience life through the Other’s authentic self, one through embodying others and the other through thoughtful seeing.
We’ve chosen Chicago’s vibrant theatre community as our home base for exploring theatre’s capacity to build hope and create a healing space for us all. We hope to follow in the footsteps of Shakespeare (who was far more progressive than most realize), Chekhov, Ibsen, and numerous creative and optimistic thespians of the 20th century in providing theatrical experiences and education to open people’s eyes, minds, and hearts to all of humanity.
The word theatre comes from the Greeks. It means the seeing place. It is the place people come to see the truth about life and the social situation.
Stella Adler
Who We Are
Janine
Ashley
Co-Founder (She/Her)
Co-director of Shakespeare Online Repertory Theatre, Actor, Director, Writer, Life Coach, Folklorist.
Harry
Barandes
Co-Founder (He/Him)
Psychotherapist, NYU Tisch Acting MFA, Professional Actor, Director, and Educator.
Gigi
Calcagno
Arts Intern (She/Her)
Chicago Native, USC Acting Major, British American Drama Academy Spring 2024, Swiftie.
Looks like you’re interested in theatre, hope, and healing, too! Let’s stay in touch. 🙂
Equity, Diversity & Inclusion Statement
At Theatre for Hope and Healing, we believe that the arts have the power to transform, connect, and heal. Our work is guided by a commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion as foundational principles in creating accessible and empowering spaces for all individuals, regardless of race, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, ability, or mental health experience.
We actively seek to:
- Center marginalized voices and amplify underrepresented narratives in our productions and programming.
- Cultivate an environment of mutual respect, openness, and understanding.
- Provide equitable access to our performances, workshops, and resources, ensuring cost, physical barriers, or stigma do not prevent participation.
- Collaborate with community partners, public health organizations, and international networks to promote healing and solidarity across diverse cultural contexts.
Our commitment is ongoing, and we approach this work with humility, listening, and a dedication to growth. Together, we strive to use theatre as a medium of transformation, offering hope, connection, and a sense of belonging for all who join our journey.