IdeaLab 2017 sparked transformative concepts and collaborations toward social change by bringing together creatives, cultural workers, activists and artists in one venue. It was moving to hear testimonies of art projects that focus on the most pressing social justice issues of our time: immigration.
Kristen Wilson, founder and artistic director of Boulder-based Motus Theater, was among the panel of local artists and community leaders who spoke about the important role of art in creating social change.
The event was organized by Confluence-Denver and Creative Exchange, the event was funded by the Bonfils-Stanton Foundation, with support from the Denver Arts & Venues Cultural Partner Program at the McNichols Civic Center Building.
“We believe in approaching community change as artists. Through community conversations, we want to change things by bringing voices to the table and amplifying those voices,” Wilson says.
Motus Theater uses original theater to support community conversation on critical issues. Recent productions include history performances that address issues of race and class, as well as monologues that tell immigration narratives. Performances target communities in Boulder County and surrounding areas.
Motus has been working with grassroots organizations to host workshops to teach community leaders how to write and perform their own stories onstage. The 2016 production “DoYou Know Who I Am?” encouraged discussion on immigration in Colorado by highlighting monologues written and performed by undocumented immigrants.
“Because we focus on history, we know that each time the economy goes down it‘s immigrants – particularly brown immigrants – who come under attack,” Wilson says. “[Motus’ work] shows how we try to leverage the community and their voices … and how I try to leverage my white privilege in different ways.”
In the wake of the fateful 2016 Presidential elections, Wilson acknowledged the increasing tension and anxiety among performers, many of whom are undocumented.
“We see all this pain. What is the best way to use the monologues we already have to make a change?” Wilson says.
“One of the things that Boulder County has in good stead is that we have really good law enforcement officials and leadership who are very vocal about immigration.”
Motus approached Boulder County District Attorney and law enforcement leaders to read the stories of undocumented Mexican immigrants onstage. The event brought together support from various city and county agencies, as well as foundations and nonprofit groups seeking to continue the dialogue about immigration reform.
The readings of the biographical monologues were followed by a panel discussion among the law enforcement officials and writers/performers Oscar Juarez, Ana Cristina Temu Vidreo, Juan Juarez, Victor Galvan, Hugo Juarez, and Ana Casas. Public Safety leaders who read the monologues include Boulder County District Attorney Stan Garnett; Boulder County Sheriff Joe Pelle; Lafayette Police Chief Rick Bashor; Louisville Police Chief David Hayes; Longmont Public Safety Chief Mike Butler; Boulder Police Chief Greg Testa; CU-Boulder Police Chief Ken Koch; and Vice Chancellor of Public Safety Melissa Zak. Here's a link to the highlights reel of the performances.
“That was the best way we knew how to challenge the association between criminality and documentation status,” says Wilson. “Many people in this country don’t know it’s not illegal to be undocumented. It’s a civil infraction.”
Wilson also addressed the importance of building trusting relationships in an effort to enhance partnerships that benefit all.
“It takes time to invest in community, to become part of a community so you know the ancestors as well as the cultural brokers who can help things move skillfully.”
Looking ahead, Motus will continue enhancing its reach to connect Boulder county residents with their newcomer neighbors and stories of resilience and strength.
“The beauty of asking someone their story is you get the parable of meaning,” she says. “Each of us has a way into understanding what it means to be human being… understanding stories that are different from our own.”
Watch the IdeaLab 2017 panel discussion on "Creative Community Organizing:"
Watch the full law enforcement reading of "Do You Know Who I Am?"
Kristen Wilson, founder and artistic director of Boulder-based Motus Theater, was among the panel of local artists and community leaders who spoke about the important role of art in creating social change.
Photo Courtesy of IdeaLab 2017
The event was organized by Confluence-Denver and Creative Exchange, the event was funded by the Bonfils-Stanton Foundation, with support from the Denver Arts & Venues Cultural Partner Program at the McNichols Civic Center Building.
“We believe in approaching community change as artists. Through community conversations, we want to change things by bringing voices to the table and amplifying those voices,” Wilson says.
Motus Theater uses original theater to support community conversation on critical issues. Recent productions include history performances that address issues of race and class, as well as monologues that tell immigration narratives. Performances target communities in Boulder County and surrounding areas.
Motus has been working with grassroots organizations to host workshops to teach community leaders how to write and perform their own stories onstage. The 2016 production “DoYou Know Who I Am?” encouraged discussion on immigration in Colorado by highlighting monologues written and performed by undocumented immigrants.
“Because we focus on history, we know that each time the economy goes down it‘s immigrants – particularly brown immigrants – who come under attack,” Wilson says. “[Motus’ work] shows how we try to leverage the community and their voices … and how I try to leverage my white privilege in different ways.”
In the wake of the fateful 2016 Presidential elections, Wilson acknowledged the increasing tension and anxiety among performers, many of whom are undocumented.
“We see all this pain. What is the best way to use the monologues we already have to make a change?” Wilson says.
“One of the things that Boulder County has in good stead is that we have really good law enforcement officials and leadership who are very vocal about immigration.”
Motus approached Boulder County District Attorney and law enforcement leaders to read the stories of undocumented Mexican immigrants onstage. The event brought together support from various city and county agencies, as well as foundations and nonprofit groups seeking to continue the dialogue about immigration reform.
The readings of the biographical monologues were followed by a panel discussion among the law enforcement officials and writers/performers Oscar Juarez, Ana Cristina Temu Vidreo, Juan Juarez, Victor Galvan, Hugo Juarez, and Ana Casas. Public Safety leaders who read the monologues include Boulder County District Attorney Stan Garnett; Boulder County Sheriff Joe Pelle; Lafayette Police Chief Rick Bashor; Louisville Police Chief David Hayes; Longmont Public Safety Chief Mike Butler; Boulder Police Chief Greg Testa; CU-Boulder Police Chief Ken Koch; and Vice Chancellor of Public Safety Melissa Zak. Here's a link to the highlights reel of the performances.
“That was the best way we knew how to challenge the association between criminality and documentation status,” says Wilson. “Many people in this country don’t know it’s not illegal to be undocumented. It’s a civil infraction.”
Wilson also addressed the importance of building trusting relationships in an effort to enhance partnerships that benefit all.
“It takes time to invest in community, to become part of a community so you know the ancestors as well as the cultural brokers who can help things move skillfully.”
Looking ahead, Motus will continue enhancing its reach to connect Boulder county residents with their newcomer neighbors and stories of resilience and strength.
“The beauty of asking someone their story is you get the parable of meaning,” she says. “Each of us has a way into understanding what it means to be human being… understanding stories that are different from our own.”
Watch the IdeaLab 2017 panel discussion on "Creative Community Organizing:"
Watch the full law enforcement reading of "Do You Know Who I Am?"