EDUCATION
Hand2Mouth’s education programs use our Dialogue and Difference (D&D) method to bring free theatre education workshops to youth throughout the greater Portland area. The programs provide leadership opportunities, model professionalism, champion diversity, and create community; we concentrate on the process of creating, giving space for youth to grasp their individual agency in a collaborative setting. All of our programs involve creating an original theatrical performance as a group, using a range of exercises including physical exploration, improvisation, research, and writing. The program is designed to be culturally responsive and to involve diverse perspectives.
“The whole devising experience was a big challenge for me in the best possible way. It has helped me get out of my comfort zone so much and I learned so much about myself and the creative process.”
Student, Youth Devising Residency
Our curriculum provides a generative opportunity for youth to think deeper about the information they are receiving — in class, online, in their community and beyond — then ask themselves:
How am I affected?
How is my community affected?
What more do I want to know, say, and/or do next?
Our curriculum provides space for youth to recognize strengths, needs, and values in themselves and their communities, an opportunity to recognize diverse thoughts, feelings and perspectives in an honest and open environment.
In addition, 64% of Hand2Mouth’s students identify as BIPOC. We also employ 15 teaching artists to support this program, helping us fulfill a central tenet of our mission, to provide paid employment opportunities for working artists.
We also partner with community and education service organizations such as Impact NW, IRCO (Immigrant & Refugee Community Organization), Latino Network, New Avenues for Youth, SUN Schools, and Portland Parks and Recreation.