testimonials from our workshop participants:

"The experiences were transformational and reinvigorated my relationship to teaching and to myself. I introduced new approaches to my students immediately and continually build on them. Lisa Jo's workshop further solidified my belief that real learning comes from doing, through one's body, heart and mind. This innovative approach to theater arts is intimately connected with living one's life."  -- Wendy Osterweil, printmaker, fiber artist and teaching artist

"This workshop is raw, real and inspiring. A fresh approach to examining the roles we play in our world and how our choices impact us and others. An inclusive process that considers diverse viewpoints through intensive interaction and alternative problem solving. What a unique and cathartic opportunity to explore challenging issues and multiple interventions in a safe, supportive environment that promotes external as well as internal conflict resolution. It's a practical yet magical experience where the here and now can be transformed into potentials of a future in which we all contribute and are recognized fully."

-- Rafi Levin, Senior educator, cross-cultural communication consultant and poet

“The surfacing of eye-opening points of view, points of limitation and conflict really made me laugh in recognition. The presentation and application of paired exercises promoted rapid meaningful communication with my partners. This resulted in my ability to access deep personal emotional experiences that were shared, relived in body memory and explored in a very safe zone. These were personally very healing.”  -- Carol Raviola, physician, community actor

“Raw and real theater was created from the energy and experiences within the room. I experienced the reality of a spect-actor, and for me it really made theater much more accessible, which is my personal mission with my craft.  Beneficial elements besides the whole weekend? I would say as an actor finding new ways to explore conflict internally and externally. For instance the Cop in Head did not make much sense to me when I read it, but I saw it unfolding it made perfect sense. It’s a technique that can be used as a director, as and actor, and teacher giving the group a chance the experience someone’s problem through a magnifying glass. As a teacher I found so many new ways of engaging, for me, youth who have no interest in theater. Many of the techniques and games can be seen as that, games, but the end they form together to create theater. I’m still fascinated by that. Reminding them that connecting is essential and important in remembering our own humanity. “ --Anjoli Santiago, Actor, Teaching Artist

“Lisa Jo did an introductory workshop with graduate students of education at the Univ of Pennsylvania, and from start to finish, a group with minimum drama experience stepped into the magic of staging real life teacher/student relationships. Lisa Jo led us through a series of opening activities that encouraged us to take risks in relating to one another through gradual steps. The ah-ha moments for what both teachers and students might be feeling or experiencing at any given moment of conflict presented itself to us with relief and warmth, and barriers that are so oftenthe result of institutionalized practices began to fade. The amazing part of the whole workshop was that I was only vaguely aware of Lisa Jo’s presence. The material was so transformative and enlightening, that I was only focused on what I was learning. Only after did I realize that Lisa  Jo’s gentle presence had been guiding us fluidly through each stage of the process.”

--Sarah Hobson, PhD student, Language and Literacy in Education, Univ of Pennsylvania Graduate School of Education.

“Lisa Jo encouraged students to improvise scenes based on their lived experiences and focusing upon issues of power and voice. Like the students, I was essentially a spect-actor in the workshops. I often marveled at Lisa Jo’s ability to bring creative forces out of our students—students who were not initially receptive to the idea of participating in a drama workshop. Using games as a framework for building a theatrical atmosphere, Dr. Epstein then helped the students create complex, improvised scenes about their own real-world experiences. These scenes were often quite powerful, relating to the students’ sense of injustice in dealing with authority figures such as teachers and parents. Lisa Jo was able to persuade several reserved students into inhabiting their characters and fully owning their roles, and she helped those with  a natural dramatic flair to concentrate on the tasks before them. … I was persistently impressed with Dr. Epstein’s dedication to her craft, but even more so, with her dedication to the students themselves. She spent a great deal of time getting to know each of them, and she worked hard to bring out the best in each of them. She displayed sensitivity to their daily struggles and supported them as they navigated through their world. Her natural sense of humor, and her flexibility in adapting to a constantly-changing environment at a high school, were always a comfort.”—Josh Taton, Teacher

On a personal level, I thought it was a great way to express my emotions. I tend to over think and over analyze things, but performing in forum theatre and the skits during the workshop, I just had to DO. I said the first thing that came to mind and didn’t think of what I should be saying. A specific element that made Lisa Jo’s workshop successful, I think, was the small size of the group. We were able to trust each other almost immediately so we could play and act silly not caring if we seemed childish. I really enjoyed it, and looked forward to it all day. I thought Lisa Jo was a great teacher and facilitator. Although I’m not trained in drama or theatre, I felt comfortable using the techniques and methods. I just wish we had more time together as a group because I liked our group dynamic. –Kathleen McLaughlin, workshop participant

I found this workshop extremely valuable. It gave me an opportunity to address a stressful situation, let me know that others face similar circumstances and the sharing of information with my peers. When I left I felt heard, rejuvenated and understood. My disposition changed in knowing others were like me and I was pretty much on the right track. –Terrell Taylor, Social worker

“I felt empowered. And felt greater appreciation of a good facilitator. “ Linda Miller