Theatre 4 Change combines professionalism and theatre as it addresses social issues in the workplace. Through research and collaboration, Theatre 4 Change has influenced social reform in many organizations. It is truly a gem of Buffalo’s artistic and social rehabilitation scenes.
Made up of professional actors from all over WNY, Theatre 4 Change is a not-for-profit theatre company that works alongside professional organizations to prompt social change. The group performs their original script plays in any setting, be it a church basement, a hotel banquet room, a school auditorium, or a business training room. Working with professional clients, Theatre 4 Change illustrates and discusses what can be uncomfortable topics in an inoffensive way. Through theatre, viewers are affected both intellectually and objectively through the use of dialogue, visualizing, and humor.
Started in 1989 with their first play “Father Knows Best,” Theatre 4 Change has remained an innovative group working to improve social atmospheres through theater. As director Darleen Hummert explains, the group “challenges people to think, trying to open their minds and start a dialogue.” The performances, structured with a play followed by a Q & A session, are meant to inspire by example and empower people to take charge of the culture of various professional environments.
Some of the topics that Theatre 4 Change performances often address are diversity/inclusion, domestic violence, violence in schools, sexual harassment, bullying, body image/self esteem, eating disorders, substance abuse, and the work/family balance. With much research and improvisation acting, Theatre 4 Change hope to leave professional work-places more open-minded, comfortable, and embracing diversity.
Theatre 4 Change has worked with an impressively diverse clientele, including organizations such as the UAW of Ford Motor Company, HSBC Bank, Henderson Woods LLC, Mentholatum Co., Project Safe Neighborhoods, Erie County Office of Probation, Kids Escaping Drugs/Renaissance House, Independent Health, Child and Family Services Haven House, and many more. The group has also taken their show on the road to workplaces in Los Angeles, Dallas, Atlanta, St. Louis, Phoenix, and Chicago. For each organization, Theatre 4 Change creates unique performances to address certain issues, using an educated facilitator to lead a corresponding discussion and construct a progressive action plan after the play.
Individuals working with Theatre 4 Change are paid and undergo an auditioning process to start with. There are four different roles for those in Theatre 4 Change: actor, writer, director, or stage-manager. Everyone involved however is socially-conscious and supports the company mission wholeheartedly. Demonstrated by director Darleen Hummert’s expansive resume and thorough background in theatre, many of the actors do work with other theatre companies in WNY and have futures in theatre. You may recognize some names: Kinzy Brown, Jeanne Cairns, Claudia Catalano, Laverne Clay, G. Scott Wagner, Dan Walker, Paul O’Hern, Philip Knoerzer, Eileen Dugan, Emanuel Fried, Anne Gayley, Robert Rutland, Richard Hummert, Sarielys Matos, Kristin Tripp Kelley, Sandra Gilliam, and many others work in Theatre 4 Change.
Current projects include a performance for middle schools about gang violence, sponsored by the US Department of Justice. This free interactive workshop entitled, “The Long Way Home,” is presented in collaboration with PROJECT SAFE NEIGHBORHOODS/Buffalo Weed & Seed. The company is also working on a play called “Partners in Healthcare” for Independent Health about the patient-doctor relationship. In October, Theatre 4 Change will be hosting a domestic violence workshop at UB alongside Child and Family Services Haven House.
For more information about free workshops or how your company, school or agency might work with Theatre 4 Change on numerous issues, please visit our website or send us an email at theatre4change@verizon.net.