WCGL: Call for Submissions - Words of Hope and Healing

The Lansing Area Community Trust Fund has awarded a $3,000 grant to the Women’s Center of Greater Lansing to coordinate a performance in conjunction with Take Back the Night, an annual event to raise awareness of sexual and domestic violence in April. The theme is “Hope and Healing” after abusive situations.  The purpose of the production is to promote and facilitate healing after domestic violence and sexual assault through the performance art medium. Survivors will be given the opportunity to give voice to their experiences. This production will also offer an opportunity for survivors of sexual assault and domestic violence to join with other community members to provide a message and vision of hope and healing to the Greater Lansing community. The cast will consist of women and men survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault.  This production serves to benefit both the performers and the audience.

The performance was inspired by Nancy Allen, performer and writer, who attended our production of A Memory, A Monologue, A Rant & A Prayer in October, 2007.  Nancy left her abusive husband in January 2006 and enrolled at LCC to begin pursuit of a teaching certification. After a successful poetry writing assignment, her professor encouraged her to continue to write about her experience. It continues to be an important part of her healing process. Her poems have been performed at a Sistrum concert and other venues and have been published in the New Citizen’s Press.

At this time, we are doing a call for submissions for the performance.  Please follow the guidelines below.  Submissions are being accepted from men and women survivors of domestic or sexual violence for a performance of “Hope and Healing”. Poetry, prose, short stories, monologues, skits, songs or dances or any combination are being accepted. Individual performances must be 15 minutes or less. 

Submission Information

Please submit a dvd for audio/visual performances. Authors may perform their material if selected, although it is not required. Authors can also remain anonymous in the performance, however all authors must include name, age, phone, and e-mail along with their submission.  Must be postmarked by March 1, 2008 and addressed to the Women’s Center of Greater Lansing C/O Maria Casinelli 1710 E. Michigan Ave. Lansing, MI 48912.