Meet Our Partners: Theater J

Submitted by Miriam's Kitchen on February 2, 2012 - 7:54pm

Yesterday afternoon, 15 of our guests participated in a discussion about The Religion Thing, a play they saw last week at Theater J.

  • 'The performance was stunning and the acting was intense.' --Paul
  • 'If you want to see the satire of religion in America, that was the play to see.' --Isaac
  • 'Forward thinking, racy, full of fun and truth, keeps you wondering.' --David

While we may take for granted our ability to see a play, watch a movie, or sit down to a nice meal in a restaurant of our choosing, our guests don't usually get to experience these opportunities to relax.

Even apart from the money required to have these experiences, our guests are up against other barriers too.

When you're carrying your belongings on your back and don't always have access to a shower, the stares you get can be daunting (and hurtful). Mental illness can also make it difficult to venture out in public.

That's why partnerships like ours with Theater J are so important. Their kindness, understanding and generosity make it possible for our guests to experience the city in a new way and really connect with their community.

Theater has become a luxury in this country, but that's not what Theater J is about. It's meant to enrich people's lives in a practical way.
     --Grace Overbeke, Theater J's Director of Marketing and Communications

For the past six months, we've been working with Theater J on a partnership that includes:

  • Free tickets to Theater J plays, including Imaging Madoff, After the Fall, and The Religion Thing.
  •  Discussion groups with Theater J actors during our Wednesday afternoon Miriam's Studio program.

The discussions we have with Miriam's Kitchen guests have been some of the most illuminating we've ever had at Theater J.
       --Grace at Theater J

Attendance at Miriam's Studio programs has increased considerably in the past two years, and the field trips we're able to offer with the help of our partners have been a great addition to our program.

Attending a Theater J performance may not help our guests get housing, but it does allow them to be inspired by other artists in the city. We've also been lucky to see performances by the Dakshina dancers and a production of the Messiah at the Strathmore.
        --Catherine Crum, Miriam's Kitchen Deputy Director

We're so grateful to partners like Theater J for helping our Miriam's Studio artists find their place in the DC community. Sometimes it's nice to have an escape from the stresses of living on the streets.