TOVA

Personal Reflections

From Artistic Director Teya Sepinuck...

Dear Friends:

After 17 creative and fulfilling years, TOVA is transitioning into a period of non-activity. While many of us feel much sadness at this ending, we also want to celebrate the life and legacy of TOVA's work here in Philadelphia. This is a time to honor the many seeds that have been sown: the 40 Theater of Witness productions created, the more than 350 performers who’ve shared their life stories, and the many collaborating artists who have lent their talent and vision to our mission. It’s also a time to thank our board of directors, funders, community partners, and you - our audiences who have supported us for more than 17 years. We’ve made much magic together.

‘Shadows - Children, Families and the Legacy of Incarceration’, our latest film by Rachel Libert is a perfect example of that magic. It was created from an original Theater of Witness production conceived by a group of visionary men incarcerated at SCI-Graterford in order to illustrate the ripple effect that crime and punishment has on children and families. Called Holding Up - a New Prison Legacy, the production, based on the true stories of the imprisoned men as well as women and children with incarcerated loved ones, has been performed in prisons, schools, theaters, conferences, and on a Native American Indian Reservation. Rachel Libert’s cinematic vision translated a staged performance into a powerful and moving film. A circle of connection has been created that transcends the walls of incarceration, the shame of broken families, and the unvoiced yearnings that we all share to be whole and healed. Shadows will be available through the National Families and Children of the Incarcerated (information under Videos).

As part of this legacy of connection, and in order to ensure that our work will continue to flourish, we have donated DVD’s to some of our community partners who we trust will use them with those who will most benefit. We have also entered into shared rights agreements with three non-profit organizations for distribution of our most recent films: Shadows, Beyond the Walls, Raising our Voice and Living with Life. Information about these films and the organizations that will be distributing them is posted under ‘Videos’ We also plan to put many of our works online for increased public access. And as new seeds begin to take root, we will watch with anticipation for what might come next.

Beginning in January 2009 through December 2010, I will be in Derry, Northern Ireland creating Theater of Witness productions that will address the legacy of trauma left after decades of violence during the ‘Troubles.’ This initiative is part of a Peace 111 grant from The European Union. While I am excited, and daunted by the enormity of it all, I am grateful for this wonderful opportunity to work with such committed and talented partners; The Playhouse, Holywell Trust, Derry City Council and Swarthmore College, as well as the people whose stories will be featured in this new work. I pray that together we will do justice to the depth and breadth of these stories and yearnings for peace.

I want to thank all of you who have joined with TOVA over these years us and hope that we will continue to find ways to stay connected. Without all of us, this circle would be incomplete.

With blessings and gratitude,

Teya Sepinuck
Founder and Artistic Director
December 2008