NGOCSW is further making a courageous move to address institutional racism and what it may mean in realising the 2030 agenda. As leaders of organisations, regardless of their size, location, sector or other factors, we must continually update, and correct, our understanding on how we relate to others in the workplace.

Using dynamic action methods and Zoom technology, we at Ten Lanterns Transformative Theatre (TLTT) create a safe space for exploration, reflection and a call to action in highlighting institutional racism in and among the NGOCSW networks. What does it look like? What does it feel like? What movement does it have?

Is it enough to not be racist? How can TLTT help organisations understand that it takes consciousness, energy and time to become anti-racist and that not being racist is just not good enough. Our anti-racist work asks people and institutions to participate in their own enlightenment and transformation.

Our work is participant-led and interactive. We use action methods which include images, sculptures, role play, and breakout rooms as we learn and share around real or imagined scenarios that arise in groups. Anti-racist work often uncovers surprising truths and possibly some discomfort. Participants should come prepared to be challenged, and to work in an environment of compassion, loving-kindness and plenty of support. This workshop will involve diverse groups, including white people, Black people, and people of colour (BIPOC). BIPOC will be centered.

About Ten-Lanterns Transformative Theatre – TLTT

TLTT lights the way.  Ten Lanterns, held by ten people, illuminates one another expanding forward to change.

At TLTT we provide a space of experimentation to, as a group, explore and “rehearse” real-life scenarios and our ingrained responses to them. We raise awareness in corporate structures and global institutions for examining behaviours in work or other environments in a blame-free, creative environment.

Our Anti-Racist workshop series include:

• How microexpressions send messages
• How to define and rehearse accountability
• How to integrate anti-racist practices in our lives
• How to make reparations authentically
• How to manage multiple real-life scenarios and respond with lovingkindness

Augusto Boal, founder of the Theatre of the Oppressed called it “rehearsing for life.”  We call it “rehearsing for anti-racism.”
We provide a place where it is entirely okay to be “not quite there yet.” Let’s explore together so we can improve together.

About the Facilitators

Sheila Dallas Katzman, M.A.

Sheila Dallas Katzman, M.A. is a creative action method professional and Applied Theatre practitioner, using theatrical arts and drama-based processes as tools for social and institutional change. She has over 25 years’ experience facilitating and managing workshop training, both local and global. Her work intersects with not-for-profits, religious institutions, corporations and government administrative bodies. She is an activist for racial justice, women’s and gender rights, and for criminal justice reform.

She maintains that ‘Listening’ is fundamental to effective change and exploring and enacting those selected stories heard in group, is the first rung of the ladder to change.

Sheila’s expertise includes racial justice, authentic leadership, anger management, women, peace and security, and development communications.

Sheila has an M.A. in Applied Theatre (University of Manchester, UK), a Theatre Arts teaching certificate from the Edna Manley College of Visual and Performing Arts (Jamaica). Sheila worked for over 20 years as a UN professional. She is also a broadcast journalist.

Valerie Monti Holland, M.A.

Valerie Monti Holland, M.A. is an action-based facilitator, trainer and coach with over 25 years experience working through sticky issues and wicked problems with organisations and teams.  Her passion for using theatre techniques has resulted in profound partnerships and projects around the issues of social justice and public health. 

Gathering issue-based stories and animating them for the purposes of closer examination and learning is a hallmark of Valerie’s practice to date. One short-term project resulted in a play about homophobic bullying that toured secondary schools for 5 years creating a space for discussion in a blame-free and creative environment.

Valerie specialises in mapping soft systems for the purposes of greater understanding and action planning concerning issues of social justice, particularly racial equanimity and addressing climate catastrophe.

She has an M.A. in Applied Theatre (University of Manchester, UK) and a Diploma in Sociodrama and Action Methods from the British Psychodrama Association for whom she is also a Sociodrama Trainer.

Whitney Bell, M.A.

Whitney Bell, M.A., is a Drama Therapists, educator, and community engaged theatre artist passionate about the holistic and sustainable approaches to healing within communities. She is excited about the capacity and sustainability of theatre and arts-based techniques to expand creativity and provide spaces for growth and exploration.