Grand Valley Institution for Women
Restorative Justice Theatre Workshops
Due to COVID-19, our Restorative Justice Theatre Program is on hold. We hope to get back up and running soon!
Theatre of the Beat’s creative process is rooted in Restorative Justice principles and methodologies. We are passionate about positively affecting personal and social change. We create applied theatre pieces for and with individuals who might not typically be exposed to theatre in their daily lives. Our prison theatre work marks the first time in Canadian history that a professional theatre company created theatre work with incarcerated women.
In 2016-17, Theatre of the Beat's Education and Outreach Manager, Kimberlee Walker, created a pilot theatre program inside Grand Valley Institution (GVI). This pilot consisted of a variety of theatre workshops and rehearsals that culminated in The Identity Project, a half-hour play created and performed by participants at GVI. The program supported reintegration through personal growth, thoughtful reflection and creative expression, contributing to the forging of a pro-social identity for participants.
Program Goals
To offer a higher number of participants the opportunity to experience the benefits of theatre programming stated in the goals of the project, by providing a wide range of programming options to meet the interests and schedules of participants.
To offer individuals the benefits of long-term engagement in arts programming, since long-term stability and continuity of programs and relationships will provide greater opportunities for personal and artistic growth.
To provide education and experience in a rich variety of theatre techniques, including but not limited to physical theatre, mask, improvisation, puppetry, dance, and theatrical forms specifically geared towards advocacy and social justice awareness.
To integrate theatre & performance into the cultural life of the institution. TOTB provides opportunities to explore theatre and performance as part of special events and assemblies such as during the holidays, Black History Month, Pride Day, Volunteer Appreciation events, etc.
To continually evaluate and evolve our work, responding with flexibility where necessary, based on input from participants, University partners, GVI staff, and TOTB facilitators.
To offer participants…
an opportunity to explore their own creativity & artistic self-expression,
an opportunity to develop confidence & public-speaking skills,
the benefit of being part of a collaborative group, and
the opportunity to contribute to a positive atmosphere in the institution.
We are thrilled to announce that our researchers from the University of Guelph have published their findings on our Restorative Justice Theatre Work at GVI in the Pedagogy of Theatre Academic Journal!
Facilitators
Our four year contract with The Grand Valley Institution would not be possible without our facilitators.
Tanya Feick
Tanya has been a high school Drama and English teacher with the WRDSB for over 20 years. She has performed with local theatre companies including Lost and Found Theatre, JM Drama, KWLT, and has volunteered with MT Space’s Young Company. With a particular interest in theatre’s power to effect positive change, she is very excited to join the Theatre of the Beat team as a co-facilitator for the Restorative Justice Theatre Program. When not involved in theatrical pursuits, Tanya feels most at home walking in the woods, exploring movement and meditation practices or laughing with her friends and family.
Nathaniel Voll
Studied Theatre and Drama Studies at the University of Toronto and Sheridan College. Nathaniel is an actor, playwright and arts educator. He has developed theatre programs for children and youth as the Education Coordinator of Green Light Arts, and the Artistic Director of Kitchener-Waterloo Youth Theatre. He loves facts, poetry and his son's imagination. He lives in Kitchener, ON.
Kimberlee Walker
Kimberlee graduated from the University of Waterloo’s Peace and Conflict Studies program with a Drama minor, and received her Master’s of Social Work from Laurier University. Kimberlee developed TOTB's Restorative Justice Theatre Program, running out of Grand Valley Institution for Women and is passionate about using theatre as a tool for constructive social change. She lives in Kitchener, ON.
Johnny Wideman
Johnny Wideman is a playwright, short storyist, dramaturg, actor, facilitator, and the recipient of the Distinguished Alumni Award for his work in Theatre from Conrad Grebel University College, University of Waterloo. Wideman received his Honours Bachelor of Arts in Drama from the University of Waterloo, ON, and the University of Sussex, UK. In June of 2011, he founded the grass-roots social justice theatre company, Theatre of the Beat, of which he is now the Artistic Director. In 2012, Wideman’s first screenplay GODART was awarded "Best Low-Budget Feature Film" at the Toronto Independent Film Festival and “Official Selection” at the Polish Independent Film Festival. Wideman’s work has been performed over 260 times throughout the U.S. and across Canada, including: This Prison or: He came Through the Floor, Gadfly: Sam Steiner Dodges the Draft, Forgiven/Forgotten, A Bicycle Built for Two, This Will Lead to Dancing, and Yellow Bellies.