In the news

CUNY SPS MA in Applied Theatre alum Sarah Chalmers Simmons (Class of '10) published a chapter in the book "Into Abolitionist Theatre: A Guidebook for Liberatory Theatre-making". Her chapter 'The Power of Difference: Solidarity on the Path,' which explores the development of Civic Ensemble's ReEntry Theatre Program's 2018 production "Streets like this," focuses on writing, editing, and performance processes and draws on first-person interviews with participants and facilitators. By including practical steps for making theatre in community and the challenges of finding solidarity between participants and practitioners, the chapter unpacks conflicts inherent in pursuing a liberatory theatre practice that takes us beyond the easy binary of right and wrong and into the messy work of building solidarity across difference.

CUNY SPS' Working the Gap initiative, which was established by the School's Youth Studies program to help young adults support the wellbeing of communities, is highlighted in an article announcing that the Mayor's Office and CUNY will be investing $16.5 million dollars in restorative justice work. As noted in the piece, the nonprofit Change Impact has been awarded a grant to create a Restorative Practice and Justice Fellowship for young adults that will be administered through Working the Gap.