Project brings Cincinnati’s environmental stories to the stage
Students use theater to portray real residents working to improve the local environment
Featured on a WVXU, a University of Cincinnati collaboration is helping high school performers bring local environmental stories to life.
“Where We Are Planted,” created by UC’s Center for Public Engagement with Science and the Clifton Community Players, works with students from Cincinnati’s School for Creative and Performing Arts to dramatize the real experiences of eight Cincinnati residents.
In the segment, UC postdoctoral fellow Kate Nicole Hoffman explains that the project uses verbatim theater to help students deeply connect with the city’s environmental past — from Mill Creek cleanups to community gardening. “We're hoping this is an environmental education opportunity that's really meaningful and transformative,” she said.
Students selected storytellers to portray onstage, immersing themselves in first-person accounts. Hoffman says sharing these true stories may help counter feelings of environmental despair by highlighting everyday Cincinnatians taking action.
Two, free public performances were held. Hoffman and co-leader Carol Brammer hope to expand the project next year.
Featured image at top of stage courtesy of iStock photo/Ultrakwang.
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