Brave Practice is a company of theatre artists in the South Sound who use theatre to foster connection and belonging in community.

We specialize in Playback Theatre, an original form of interactive and improvisational theatre where people tell true stories from their lives and others enact them on the spot. Our teaching artists use deep listening, music, dialogue, metaphor, and movement to bring community stories to life! We're a community engagement program of Window Seat, created in 2021.

Mission

Practice bravery in community through theatre to be more prepared for courageous action in our everyday lives.

Vision

Diverse communities can come together to explore what it means to be human through art, celebrate our differences, and reflect on our shared past, present, and future.

Shared Values

• Community in our home-place
• Belonging, cultural responsiveness, diversity, equity, and inclusion
• Collaboration and friendship
• Empowerment through storytelling and deep listening
• Education and innovation
• Artistic quality and integrity

Company Goals

Create spaces - workshops and performances - where community members can connect authentically, in meaningful ways through art, empathy, and witnessing one another’s truth. These are radical and cathartic acts in an increasingly divided, detached, and distracted society, and we hope by practicing them, people find a little more capacity for compassion, connection, and bravery.

In Community

We serve a beautiful, diverse, intergenerational, and multicultural community within and connected to the South Sound region - Thurston County, Native Land of the Squaxin Island, Coast Salish, Chehalis, Nisqually, and Puyallup Tribes.

Community Agreements

We use community agreements as a way to invite groups into community space together:

Share true stories

From our own life experiences, welcoming multiple perspectives, understanding we each come from different cultural practices, backgrounds, and religions.

Listen deeply to others

For understanding, not fixing, owning our intentions and impacts.

Lean into community wisdom

The wisdom we need is often in the room, and we can open our hearts to it and one another.

Take brave risks

Step into vulnerability and discomfort as an intentional act that we practice in community so that we are more able to practice courage in other spaces too.

Collaborations

All of our work happens in partnership with other groups and organizations. Want to collaborate with us? Want to invite us to your organization, event, or group for a workshop or performance?

Email meg@windowseatmedia.org to discuss how we can bring Brave Practice to you!

Teaching Artists

‍Meg Rosenberg (actor, conductor, musician, co-founder, Managing Director through Window Seat), Hiroko Ishii Cassidy (actor, conductor, musician, co-founder), Susana Bailén Acevedo (actor, musician), Laurie Porter O'Brien (actor, musician, co-founder), and Ashlen Hodge (actor, musician). As a collective, we have over 40 years in Playback Theatre experience. Our team brings a background in education, theatre, psychology, diversity, equity, inclusion, cultural responsiveness, psychodrama, and a dedication to fostering community locally. Our co-founders are continuing members of The Heartsparkle Players, with training from accredited Playback trainer, Debe Edden. Both Meg and Hiroko have completed Conducting training through the New York School of Playback Theatre and the Centre for Playback Theatre, respectively. Our ensemble trains together on an ongoing basis and engages in continuing professional development to deepen our community-building expertise. We are excited to meet you!

Company Members