The Building Our Own Tables podcast supports leaders along their journeys of creation for our collective liberation. Knowing we are all one. Healing. Transforming. Medicine for those who are building our own, creating our own spaces that are healing, decolonizing, and leading from love. The experience is a combination of words, music, poetry, body-breath practices, meditations and visualizations, folks sharing their specific stories, science, history, and rituals. We center voices of the global majority Black, Brown, African, Indigenous, Native, Asian, Arab, Middle Eastern, Mestiza and Dual or Multi-Race creators as a solidarity and honoring of our unique cultural wisdoms as we work to build racial, social and climate justice worldwide. This podcast stems from Yura Sapi’s experience as a multi-disciplinary creator and facilitator of initiatives, collectives, practices and organizations expanding beyond borders. Years ago, they were hearing about efforts for marginalized folks to “get a seat at the table†in decision making at arts organizations in the United States and decided they would rather build their own table. Knowing they were not alone, they looked to the community building and oral history recording of the podcast medium, and with the support of HowlRound, the Building Our Own Tables Podcast was born. Your donation to Advancing Arts Forward supports liberated spaces, like this one, that uplift, heal and encourage us to change the world.
HowlRound Theatre Commons, Yura Sapi
In the season finale of the Building Our Own Tables podcast, Yura Sapi invites Gabriel Barrera to share about creating Scenic G, a visual art and design company providing services in art and design, workshops, consultation, facilitation, and mentorship infused with social justice. After spending twenty years as a scenic designer, Gabriel shares about his decision to leave and build his own table as an independent artist providing opportunities for others along the way. Topics in this episode include decolonizing ideas of who a teacher can be, addressing toxic behaviors, and facilitation skills.
Theatremaker Mica Rose joins Yura Sapi this week and shares about co-creating Asian American Theatre Artists of Boston. Topics for this episode include moving from morning routine to waking ritual, the power of circles and cycles, and a grounding meditation.
This week, Yura Sapi is join by Tierra Allen who shares about creating The Real Work, a podcast about theatre culture and transformative justice that is co-produced with We Rise Production. This episode's topics include learning from non-humans, sharing poems and songs, and being the change.
This week, Kelundra Smith sits down with Yura Sapi to discuss building her own table as a playwright and shares the process and inspiration behind some of her latest works. Topics for this episode include affirmations, changing hierarchical structures, and moving beyond a sense of urgency.
This week, Yura Sapi is joined by Christiamilda Correa to discuss creating LiberArte, a nonprofit arts organization dedicated to racial, social, and climate justice worldwide; the Strategic Planning Institute; and NYU Latinx Alumni. Topics for this episode include writing prompts, seeking out spaces to find community, and transforming challenges.
Victor Vazquez joins Yura Sapi to share his experience creating X Casting, a casting company that spans theatre and film in the United States and worldwide through a shared purpose of collective liberation and anti-racism. This episode's topics include thinking about our role in the political landscape, globalism, and a curiosity for generous solutions.
Recently named Edward Medina Prize winner Brittani Samuel joins Yura Sapi to share about her experience building her own table as a theatre critic. Topics in this episode include choosing joy every day, being a child of immigrants, and a shared meditation practice. This episode is dedicated to theare artist and critic Edward Medina, honoring his legacy which brings us all together today.
Jose Solís joins Yura Sapi to discuss creating the BIPOC Critics Lab and co-creating the Token Theatre Friends podcast-webseries. This episode's topics include finding beauty in the internet, how a metaphorical grain of sand can change the world, and a tarot reading for the first three months of 2023.
Abundance Zaddy joins Yura Sapi to talk about creating Cause Reign, an oral history project that connects Black people—with a focus on Black trans and queer folks—to their histories through dreamwork, the practice of remembering, recording, and activating the healing potential of dreams. Topics in this episode include prioritizing love and sweetness, transcending time, and asking for consent.
How exciting is it to transform our future and be the future ancestors we dream for? Yura Sapi opens the space with a gratitude ritual and shares about what's to come on the new season of the Building Our Tables podcast. Topics for this season include evolutionary times, the four elements, and sounds of nature.
Get excited to be creatively filled by Building Our Own Tables, Season 3 with Yura Sapi, dropping new episodes every Wednesday starting on January 11th, 2023! Your donation to Advancing Arts Forward supports liberated spaces, like this podcast, that uplift, heal and encourage us to change the world. (https://www.advancingartsforward.org/) Trailer by Emmanuel Okonko
“In practice, when we work with our community for community, it feeds us and sustains us. It's not just a time card to check in and out… After rehearsal I'm not drained, I'm living!” Rose shares about creating Art Rat Theatre, a production vehicle dedicated to gardening anticolonial, anti-capitalist theatre for a truly diverse new era audience and catalyzing a greater network of independent institutionally marginalized, young adult creatives. Topics include knowing who's in your house, unlearning, and nonlinear thinking. Your donation to Advancing Arts Forward supports liberated spaces, like this podcast, that uplift, heal and encourage us to change the world. (https://www.advancingartsforward.org/)Connect with us on :::TikTok @buildingourowntablesInstagram @advancingartsforward @howlroundFacebook @advancingartsforward@HowlRound
“When friends come together to do a thing and it starts to get unclear who's still about it and who's moving on, it's important to say, ok if it's not a hobby… then what are the requirements?” Eric shares about creating The Movement Theatre Company, which engages audiences in a rich theatrical dialogue, enlightens communities to the important issues affecting our world, and empowers artists to celebrate the many sides of their unique voice. Topics include the collaborative leadership model of producing artistic leadership team, paying more than the minimum, and undoing global racism.Your donation to Advancing Arts Forward supports liberated spaces, like this podcast, that uplift, heal and encourage us to change the world. (https://www.advancingartsforward.org/)Connect with us on :::TikTok @buildingourowntablesInstagram @advancingartsforward @howlroundFacebook @advancingartsforward@HowlRound
“How many people are really pursuing their happiness right now? That's in the BIll of Rights that we're supposed to be doing that…We have to look at how we can ease the burden of medical debt, student debt, housing debt so we can actually all live in the pursuit of happiness.” Ann shares about creating Intimacy Coordinators of Color, which supports and promotes decolonized intimacy education and inclusive hiring practices in the entertainment industry.Topics include living abroad, having several businesses, and creating a pedagogy. Your donation to Advancing Arts Forward supports liberated spaces, like this podcast, that uplift, heal and encourage us to change the world. (https://www.advancingartsforward.org/)Connect with us on :::TikTok @buildingourowntablesInstagram @advancingartsforward @howlroundFacebook @advancingartsforward @HowlRound
“Funders aren't actually checking, were black people harmed when they were in your space? Did you actually pay them an equitable rate? Did they feel safe? Were you welcoming?” Iyvon shares about creating The Parnsip Ship, a podcast play company that amplifies bold artists for audiences who crave accessible stories and storytellers. Topics include funding frustrations, helpful boards, and pandemic producing.Your donation to Advancing Arts Forward supports liberated spaces, like this podcast, that uplift, heal and encourage us to change the world. (https://www.advancingartsforward.org/)Connect with us on :::TikTok @buildingourowntablesInstagram @advancingartsforward @howlroundFacebook @advancingartsforward@HowlRound
“People felt like they had a home. I don't know if you've ever built a theater with community before. There is an ownership and a loyalty when they feel they've been welcomed and they belong.” Teresa shares about creating Bishop Arts Theatre Center, which creates a diverse and vibrant arts community while creating sustainable opportunities for local and emerging artists through performances and education. Topics include connecting to community in meaningful ways, owning your own table, and race as a social construct.Your donation to Advancing Arts Forward supports liberated spaces, like this podcast, that uplift, heal and encourage us to change the world. (https://www.advancingartsforward.org/)Connect with us on :::TikTok @buildingourowntablesInstagram @advancingartsforward @howlroundFacebook @advancingartsforward@HowlRound
“These higher ed institutions are basically training people to keep these white institutions going… They teach us to go into these institutions but they don't teach us the harms that come with the institutions.” Quanice shares about creating Arts Administrators of Color Network, which empowers artists and art administrators by providing tools and resources to advocate for equity, inclusion, access, and diversity in the arts.Topics include coping and healing, staying away from DEI, and personal boundaries.Your donation to Advancing Arts Forward supports liberated spaces, like this podcast, that uplift, heal and encourage us to change the world. (https://www.advancingartsforward.org/)Connect with us on :::TikTok @buildingourowntablesInstagram @advancingartsforward @howlroundFacebook @advancingartsforward@HowlRound
“White supremacy wants to take away our ability to imagine and to create or to even fathom what an afroindigenous future could be… All of the work has been done if we look back to our Elders.” Tara shares about creating Groundwater Arts, which shapes, stewards, and seeds a just future through creative practice, consultation, and community building.Topics include implementation of relational life ways, divestment from fossil fuels, and how to move forward with disagreements.Your donation to Advancing Arts Forward supports liberated spaces, like this podcast, that uplift, heal and encourage us to change the world. (https://www.advancingartsforward.org/)Connect with us on :::TikTok @buildingourowntablesInstagram @advancingartsforward @howlroundFacebook @advancingartsforward@HowlRound
“As we grew, we became eligible for institutional funding and that is when things began to change. Because all of a sudden the way we did our work had to conform with funders for us to receive our funds.” Kyoung shares about creating Kyoung's Pacific Beat, a peacemaking theatre collective dedicated to working with artists, non-artists, and local communities to transform experiences of oppression into peace messages through performance. Topics include the dangers of the nonprofit industrial complex shaping the work, making theatre in times of war, and a worker-owned collective.Your donation to Advancing Arts Forward supports liberated spaces, like this podcast, that uplift, heal and encourage us to change the world. (https://www.advancingartsforward.org/)Connect with us on :::TikTok @buildingourowntablesInstagram @advancingartsforward @howlroundFacebook @advancingartsforward@HowlRound
“We needed to look at how we could work together, first with the BIPOC community. And then, upon completion of that assessment, we would be ready to partner with others.” Michelle shares about creating Visionaries of the Creative Arts, which is dedicated to responding to the critical needs of d/Deaf and hard-of-hearing artists who are Black, Indigenous, and people of color, in Washington, D.C.Topics include intersectionality of race and disability justice, local, national and international community engagement, and the support of white allies. Your donation to Advancing Arts Forward supports liberated spaces, like this podcast, that uplift, heal and encourage us to change the world. (https://www.advancingartsforward.org/)Connect with us on :::TikTok @buildingourowntablesInstagram @advancingartsforward @howlroundFacebook @advancingartsforward @HowlRound
“As somebody who grows up in, I guess, a “third world country” and then moves to the U.S., you feel this sense of responsibility… to have to give back something, or you have to be the best in your community, but also still be connected.” Parmida shares about creating Seda Iranian Theatre Ensemble, which creates opportunities for refugees and immigrants whose voice cannot be heard.Topics include programming for refugee and immigrant communities, creating new mediums, and taking time to reflect. Your donation to Advancing Arts Forward supports liberated spaces, like this podcast, that uplift, heal and encourage us to change the world. (https://www.advancingartsforward.org/)Connect with us on :::TikTok @buildingourowntablesInstagram @advancingartsforward @howlroundFacebook @advancingartsforward@HowlRound
“Centering relationship, community and the artist in all the work is where you begin. Yes, we're co-producing on an end product. We're making a show. However, the relationship … is a great place to start from.” Maurice shares about creating The Front Porch Arts Collective, a black theatre company committed to advancing racial equity in Boston through theater.Topics include keys to success in co-productions, the challenges of the nonprofit model, and our lifetime journey to grow.Your donation to Advancing Arts Forward supports liberated spaces, like this podcast, that uplift, heal and encourage us to change the world. (https://www.advancingartsforward.org/)Connect with us on :::TikTok @buildingourowntablesInstagram @advancingartsforward @howlroundFacebook @advancingartsforward@HowlRound
“You have a relationship just for one show– that's not a relationship. Not at all. It's more like exploitation.” Samson and Dmae share about creating Theatre Diaspora gives Asian American Pacific Islander theatre more visibility and engages the public in insightful talkback discussions on cultural diversity.Topics include the importance of relationships in being a community organization, representation and visibility, and redefining what success is. Your donation to Advancing Arts Forward supports liberated spaces, like this podcast, that uplift, heal and encourage us to change the world. (https://www.advancingartsforward.org/)Connect with us on :::TikTok @buildingourowntablesInstagram @advancingartsforward @howlroundFacebook @advancingartsforward@HowlRound
“We find that it's really important that everybody verbalizes their thoughts and their agreements or disagreements so that we know everyone's on board.” Beto shares about creating Radical Evolution is a multiethnic producing collective that seeks to understand the complexities of the mixed-identity existence in the 21st Century.Topics include consensus decision making, equitable partnerships, reclaiming folk arts, and giving up white privilege.Your donation to Advancing Arts Forward supports liberated spaces, like this podcast, that uplift, heal and encourage us to change the world. (https://www.advancingartsforward.org/)Connect with us on :::TikTok @buildingourowntablesInstagram @advancingartsforward @howlroundFacebook @advancingartsforward @HowlRound
“We need to know that this whiteness is not something that just affects us in the U.S. or in the west, it's something that affects everybody everywhere through the history of colonization. And it affects the arts everywhere.” Pooja shares about creating Rites of Passage Project, a movement to reclaim and celebrate women's initiations envisioning a truly equitable, just and thriving world for all.Topics include the impacts of globalization, resilience as people of color, and valuing group conflict.Your donation to Advancing Arts Forward supports liberated spaces, like this podcast, that uplift, heal and encourage us to change the world. (https://www.advancingartsforward.org/)Connect with us on :::TikTok @buildingourowntablesInstagram @advancingartsforward @howlroundFacebook @advancingartsforward @HowlRound
“There's a reason why they don't want us to ever talk about genocide… It's because when you name something you acknowledge it exists and then you can deal with it.” Claudia shares about creating Calling Up Justice, a transmedia social justice practice. Topics include the power we have in selecting the words we use to talk about what we're doing and the resiliency producing model when it comes to working in a supremacy culture environment, that is the United States.Your donation to Advancing Arts Forward supports liberated spaces, like this podcast, that uplift, heal and encourage us to change the world. (https://www.advancingartsforward.org/)Connect with us on :::TikTok @buildingourowntablesInstagram @advancingartsforward @howlroundFacebook @advancingartsforward @HowlRound
“You cannot have it inauthentic AND have the community's support.” Nydia shares about creating Blactina Media, which amplifies Afrolatinx and Caribbean stories with an emphasis on women through media and entertainment. Topics include the importance of authenticity and what it means to say true to your audience, saying no to opportunities that aren't in line with your values, and some real talk on knowing your worth. Your donation to Advancing Arts Forward supports liberated spaces, like this podcast, that uplift, heal and encourage us to change the world. (https://www.advancingartsforward.org/)Connect with us on :::TikTok @buildingourowntablesInstagram @advancingartsforward @howlroundFacebook @advancingartsforward @HowlRound
“How do we do this with zero money?” Jonathan shares about creating The Sống Collective, which uplifts work that pushes against preconceptions of Asian Americans and reclaims the Vietnamese American narrative. Topics include asking for resources in community, power sharing, unanimous decision-making, and abundance over scarcity. Your donation to Advancing Arts Forward supports liberated spaces, like this podcast, that uplift, heal and encourage us to change the world. (https://www.advancingartsforward.org/)Connect with us on :::TikTok @buildingourowntablesInstagram @advancingartsforward @howlroundFacebook @advancingartsforward @HowlRound
“How can the art that is created serve as a further asset to this city?” Lauren shares about creating No Dream Deferred, a community anchored theatre production company in New Orleans, Louisiana. Topics include what it means to be community anchored, the importance of structure within shared leadership, and preventing founder's syndrome. Your donation to Advancing Arts Forward supports liberated spaces, like this podcast, that uplift, heal and encourage us to change the world. (https://www.advancingartsforward.org/)Connect with us on :::TikTok @buildingourowntablesInstagram @advancingartsforward @howlroundFacebook @advancingartsforward @HowlRound
“A lot of trans Native folks create things because of exclusion.” Xemi shares about creating Angel Rose Artist Collective, a multilingual Two-Spirit Native American Transgender, Intersex, Asexual, Queer+ led collective of artists, healers, educators, and advocates, that uplift Two-Spirit Nation and BIPOC Communities through art and land justice.Topics include owning Trans-identity, the importance in Native-Trans and Black-Trans solidarity, centering Elders in her practice, and the need for community care in leadership transitions. Your donation to Advancing Arts Forward supports liberated spaces, like this podcast, that uplift, heal and encourage us to change the world. (https://www.advancingartsforward.org/)Connect with us on :::TikTok @buildingourowntablesInstagram @advancingartsforward @howlroundFacebook @advancingartsforward@HowlRound
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