Ep6 - Frank Galati: "Stumbling Forward"

In this episode of Half Hour, ensemble member Caroline Neff interviews Cydney Cleveland and Tamara Drew from Storycatchers Theatre, as well as Abhi Shrestha from Steppenwolf Education. Listen to learn about the vital performing arts programs that Storycatchers run inside and outside of juvenile justice facilities in Illinois, as well as their methodology and philosophy underpinning that work, and how their programs intersect with Steppenwolf Education’s.

Interview begins at 2:30.

This episode of Half Hour is sponsored by John Hart and Carol Prins in memory of Louise Hart, and co-sponsored by Winston & Strawn LLP.

Cydney Patrice Cleveland is the Production Director for Storycatchers Theatre. As Director, she oversees all production elements for the annual original one-act musicals presented at three juvenile justice facilities, and for the touring production of musical stories created by the Changing Voices Ensemble, Storycatchers’ post release performance employment program. Ms. Cleveland began her career at Storycatchers while a junior in high school at Young Women's Leadership Charter School of Chicago during a time when the organization worked in CPS schools in addition to juvenile facilities. Quickly moving up the ranks from participant, to administrative support, to program manager, and Production Director, Cleveland became a member of Storycatchers’ leadership team this year. She is responsible for creating a multi-year partnership with Steppenwolf Theatre Company. Together, the companies co-produce a multiple facility tour of a Steppenwolf Theater for Young Adults professional production.

Tamara Drew is a graduate of Millikin University where she earned a degree in both Theatre & Sociology. Currently, Tamara is the Artistic Manager of the Storycatchers Firewriters ensemble at IYC Chicago, is the Artistic Coordinator for Storycatchers Changing Voices Program, and is the Project Manager of the Storycatchers CPD training program. She is a mother to three sons, and serves as chair of the Fine Arts Magnet Education Committee at Ravenswood Elementary School.

Abhi Shrestha is a Chicago-based poet, arts educator, and theatre artist originally from Kathmandu, Nepal. Abhi is the Education Associate at Steppenwolf Theatre, serves on the Board of Directors for the Illinois Caucus for Adolescent Health (ICAH) and is the Resident Dramaturge and a Community Organizer with The Chicago Inclusion Project.

About Storycatchers Theatre: Storycatchers Theatre is dedicated to creating a safe, inclusive environment that uses the performing arts to prepare marginalized youth to envision and pursue productive futures. Through their healing-centered process, they believe that these resilient young people build agency and capacity to make productive life choices.

About Steppenwolf Education: Every season Steppenwolf for Young Adults (SYA) creates two full-scale professional productions specifically for teens. Programs include classroom residencies led by Steppenwolf-trained teaching artists; the Young Adult Council, an innovative year-round after-school initiative that uniquely engages high school students in all areas of the theater’s operation; in-depth mentorship programs for early-career professionals who will one day lead the American Theater.

Learn more at steppenwolf.org. Want to get in touch? Email halfhour@steppenwolf.org
For a transcript of this podcast, go to: https://www.steppenwolf.org/globalassets/half-hour-podcast/half-hour-ep5-transcript.pdf