It takes imagination and creativity to change the world. Theatre, film, comedy, music and multi-media art slams—I have created and supported artistic and cultural projects for decades to engage people in dialogue, develop deeper understandings of critical issues and to express ourselves. As a Theatre of the Oppressed Joker with 25+ years of experience, I create dialogic, community-centered work that is accessible, fun and incredibly transformative. And I support art, entertainment and culture projects to build productions that get people talking, uplift people’s humanity and make positive change in the world.

I’m obsessed with community and developing strong, reciprocal bonds that build groups up and sustain us through difficult times. And our strongest communities have complex relationships that embrace generative conflict and grow through difficulty together. I build and strengthen communities by providing initial development support, crafting events, hosting dialogues, facilitating mindful responses to conflict and more.

The biggest change often comes from learning something new. I have studied and practiced popular education and critical pedagogy for decades and use these tools to support individuals and groups to learn new frameworks, skills and tools to create positive change in their lives, in their work and in the world. I build critical analysis and creative thinking through speaking, workshops and training, curriculum and resource development, and individual and group coaching.

Institutional support is necessary to create lasting change. With political strategy, public policy, community studies and organizational development experience, I support organizations, businesses, community groups and educational institutions in building strategic practice for equity and justice. I have designed and executed organizational assessments, created organizational documents and policies, developed strategic plans, designed and managed campaigns and more, all embedded in equity and justice.

To be able to create a world that dismantles inequity, systemic oppression and violence, we must first work on the ways these systems affect our mental, physical and spiritual health. I work with individuals and communities to unpack oppression-based trauma and to develop more humanizing practices for themselves and others. I work both alone and with other mental health and wellness professionals to provide stand-alone workshops, workshop series, retreats and coaching.

I love growing things. My yard is filled with pollinators and food—nearly 100 different species and varieties! I forage native and invasive plants and mushrooms and harvest seeds to use elsewhere. I am not an expert, but when I can, I try share my skills with others in the community—providing gardening advice, sharing seeds and rehoming seedlings and other plants. In growing season I am outside between meetings meditating with my plants.