Breaking Silences:
If you could send a message to the whole world about what it’s like growing up as a girl today, what would you say? Here's your chance to break the silence and be heard.
Breaking Silences is a group open to girls grades 6th-12th. Our goal is to empower girls, celebrate what makes them unique and then help them cope with the pressure to be perfect as they face stereotypes to conform to a given image. We believe that all girls are inherently strong, smart and bold and we are here to help them develop a voice that can be trusted, respected and above all, heard. As we build a community of strong girls who develop a sense of self worth and self confidence, our goal is empower them to return to their community changed, strong and as positive role models.
Instructors: Elizabeth Namen,Janel Kochuk and Britta Gustafson
Wednesdays: 6:30-7:45
Breaking Silences is funded by:
Winter/Spring 2012 This semester the girls will be working on a variety of projects.
Future goals: A college board/wall will be created focusing on future plans after graduaction.
Outreach: The girls will have an opportunity to volunteer at a local outreach facility.
Original Play: The girls will create and act in an original play based on Fairy Tales.March 30th and 31rst.
Art projects, museums, plays and guest speakers are all on board for this coming season!
PAST YEARS:
Winter 2011 Production:
The girls performed in an original one act play about September 11th. This past Fall, the girls have researched the events that took place on that Tuesday morning. Basing their characters on people who had witnessed, taken part in, survived and died, the play is as accurate and real to the event itself. January 28th and 29th, 7:00pm.
Fall 2010:
This semester our girls will be working on a variety of artistic projects: Theater, poetry, paintings, crafts,etc. The girls will collaborate, design and perform in a room at our Haunted House 2010. With the focus on outreach, the girls will also begin rehearsing for their Winter 2011 theater production. The production is based on the issues of 9/11 and based off the book," With Their Eyes."
Fall 2009:
Fall 2008:
Breaking Silences Performance: November 15th and 16th: 7:00pm
A one act play written and acted out by the breaking silences group. Come see what it is like to be a young girl in today's society. Hear real testimonies from girls who are dealing with issues like abuse, eating disorders, drug addiction, divorce and other issues.
"Phenomenal Woman."
Pretty women wonder where my secret lies.
I'm not cute nor built to suit
a fashion model's size.
But when I start to tell them,
They think I'm telling lies.
I say,
It's in the reach of my arms,
The span of my hips
The stride of my step
The curl of my lips!
I'm a woman
Phenomenally
Phenomenal
Woman
That's me
( Maya Angelou)
Press Release:
EPOCH ARTS RECEIVES $3,000 GRANT*
Epoch Arts has received a grant from the Middlesex County Community Foundation to support the program Breaking Silences. This $3,000 grant was awarded by the Funds for Women and Girls.
Breaking Silences is designed for Middle and High School girls in the East Hampton and Portland area. The goal of the program is to provide positive assistance to young women who feel pressured to be perfect as they face stereotypes to conform to a given image. Each Wednesday night, 15 -20 girls meet at Epoch Arts in an environment that allows them to artistically express themselves and sort through their problems. Through journaling, art exploration,
field trips and guest speakers, the girls are given the opportunity to
increase their self esteem and learn about the arts. Led by Artistic
Director Elizabeth Namen , Outreach Coordinator Janel Kochuk, and
teaching assistant Britta Gustafson the group has been meeting since January 2008 and has doubled in size in that time. This past month, the girls wrote and acted in an original one act play titled,” Reflection, a New Fairy Tale." The play dealt with issues such as honesty, co-operation and selflessness. Breaking Silences runs 9 months out of the year.
The Middlesex County Community Foundation is a non -profit organization dedicated to improving the quality of life in Middlesex County. The mission of the Fund for Women & Girls is to support programs that empower Middlesex County women and girls to be self-reliant and reach their potential. For more information on the foundation visit them at www.middlesexcountycf.org.
For further information on the program Breaking Silences visit Epoch Arts at www.epocharts.org or call them at (860) 365-0337
