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THE ONE FOUR ONE COLLECTIVE IN ASSOCIATION WITH THE ASSEMBLY THEATRE PROUDLY PRESENT: MENTAL WELLNESS MONTH

Join us at Assembly Theatre or in the virtual space for three weekends of pay-what-you-can programming focused on nurturing mental wellness and empowering the creative community. Participants can choose from a variety of accessible programs to tend to the mind, body, and spirit, including a community discussion with a mental health expert, expressive arts therapy sessions, a BIPOC Artist Community Panel, and a collection of mindful movement classes. Join as many as you like!

EVENT DETAILS

WHEN: November 14 - November 28 2021

WHERE: The Assembly Theatre (1479 Queen Street West) & Online. Most in person events will be live streamed online as well. 

COSTS: Pay-What-You-Can

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PROGRAMMING SCHEDULE

 

Sunday November 14 2021

 

Yoga Session (Hosted by: Melanie Pyne)

10:00am - 11:00am

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER FOR THIS EVENT (note: there will only be 4 in person slots available)

Cost: Pay-What-You-Can 

Location: The Assembly Theatre (1479 Queen Street West) & Live Streamed on our Youtube Channel

ABOUT: Melanie Pyne was introduced to yoga when she was 13 and has practiced

many different styles since. She believes in making classes welcoming and inclusive to

all ability levels and body types. This gentle class is aimed at finding and expanding

space in your body, through subtle, gradual movement. We will discuss muscle tension,

where and why we hold it and why it can be detrimental to us as artists/ performers, as

well as ways to encourage it's release. We will also practice using different breath work techniques to calm the body and mind. Hope to see you there!

 

BODY SPACE (Hosted by: Ellen Fielding)

11:30am - 12:30pm 

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER FOR THIS EVENT (note: there will only be 4 in person slots available)

Cost: Pay-What-You-Can 

Location: The Assembly Theatre (1479 Queen Street West) & Live Streamed on our Youtube Channel

ABOUT: BODY SPACE - an energy-building, energy-releasing cardio dance party. This class invites you to                                                                   take up space with your body with fast, sweaty sequences that build                                                                                     cardiovascular and muscular strength. Get out of your head and into your                                                                         body! Ellen is a movement teacher from Toronto, Ontario. She views                                                                                      physical practices as ways to re-inhabit the body and centre the mind.                                                                               Moving can be a tool for managing mental health, and for exploring and inhabiting our subtle and energetic bodies. She is a strong believer in the power of movement to rewire the nervous system as a way to heal from trauma. Her classes are fun, challenging, and appropriate for all levels. She focuses on mobility, strength, and functional fitness for long-term health. She believes in accessibility of movement for ALL bodies, and aims to meet you where you are. Ellen is committed to co-creating a BIPOC-centered, inclusive and anti-oppressive online space. She aims to make her movement experiences welcoming for all bodies and beings.

Saturday November 20 2021

Mental Health Q&A Session with Matt Eldridge (MSW, RSW- Social Worker / Psychotherapist)

7:30pm - 8:30pm

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER FOR THIS EVENT (note: there will only be 30 in person tickets available)

SUBMIT YOUR QUESTIONS FOR MATT ELDRIDGE HERE

Cost: Pay-What-You-Can 

Location: The Assembly Theatre (1479 Queen Street West) & Live Streamed on our Youtube Channel

ABOUT: Creating/ writing/ auditioning/ acting can be tough at the best of

times, going through COVID lockdowns and navigating a new ‘normal’ has added

stress to our lives and new pressures on our mental health. Do you have any

questions, need any tips, tools, resources and support? Please join The Assembly

Theatre in a Q&A evening with Matt Eldridge, a mental health expert, who works

closely with artists. This Q&A is an opportunity for artists to engage in a meaningful conversation about mental health, and ask questions about mental health within the scope of their creative career. Whether it is learning how to cope with heavy subject matter, balancing a heavy show load, or gaining insight on how to make space for your unique needs, participants are encouraged to submit questions online and tune in to the live-streamed event. Please join us for strategies on taking care of oneself and fortifying one's mental health in an arts based career. Matt (he/him) is a registered social worker, having completed his Master of

Social Work degree in 2013. He has a background in theatre, circus, and dance, and is passionate about supporting the mental health of artists. He believes in the importance of creating a safe and supportive environment to process experiences, heal, and grow. Matt is passionate about teaching, and regularly offers mental health educational workshops to arts-based organizations. 

 

Sunday November 21 2021

 

LIMINAL MOVEMENT (Hosted by: Dee De Lara)

10:00am - 11:00am

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER FOR THIS EVENT (note: there will only be 4 in person slots available)

Cost: Pay-What-You-Can 

Location: The Assembly Theatre (1479 Queen Street West) & Live Streamed on our Youtube Channel

ABOUT:  LIMINAL MOVEMENT - A pause in the in-between to move forward with purpose. In this 1-                                                                                    hour class you're invited to root into your foundation: 40 minutes of                                                                                       medium intensity Pilates and somatics-based movement that focuses on                                                                           stabilizing and strengthening your core/centre, followed by 20 minutes of                                                                          reflection, writing and conversation. All you need are an open space on the                                                                       floor with a mat / towel, a  small cushion / bolster / yoga block to make sitting                                                                 more comfortable, a journal / something to write with, and an open heart and ear to share and listen. Dee de Lara (she/they) facilitates spaces for people to connect, explore and disrupt with curiosity. She founded The Liminal Movement, spaces to wonder and wander in the "in-between" in community: Pilates, dance and somatics-based movement and mindfulness to spark curiosity, conversations and workshops to ignite action, and research and strategy to fuel untold narratives. She facilitates from Tkaronto (Toronto), the traditional lands of the Haudenosaunee, the Anishinaabe and the Wendat, and the treaty territory of the Mississaugas of the Credit.

Gentle Stretches + Yoga Nidrā  (Hosted by: Tash Francesca)

11:30am - 12:30pm

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER FOR THIS EVENT (note: there will only be 4 in person slots available)

Cost: Pay-What-You-Can 

Location: The Assembly Theatre (1479 Queen Street West) & Live Streamed on our Youtube Channel

ABOUT:  Yoga nidrā is a powerful state of eternal potentiality within a

shape that looks like rest. However rest + stillness is not innately "easy"

for most minds, so before we lay: we move, we gently lengthen and

contract as we cultivate the physical body into a vessel which energy

moves freely. Once we embody that spaciousness through breath we

lay in a supported shape to receive the gently guided nidrā practice. If

you are joining us in person you may want to consider having extra

layers beside you for our rest practice to serve as pillows or an extra layer for comfort. If you are joining digitally, prepare a soft landing for the body so lean into your supports: a couch with lots of blankets + pillows, maybe a bed, eye pillows or in a dark room. Expect this practice to be gentle and I am to keep you in that space between wakefulness and sleep the whole time, this class will feel like a big body yawn leaving you nourished and rested for the rest of your day. Tash (she/her) is a pinay mixed movement teacher in the city with deep roots in yoga philosophy, settlerhood, rest + movements that nourish the body so we may actively work towards stilling the mind. Her chosen primary teachers are Hali Schwartz, Taryn Diamond, Dr. Melissa Jay, Hana Lukac and Alexx Temena alongside the many folx she holds space with + for. Her work encompasses numerous drop in classes within Tkaronto, decolonization workshops for teacher training programs as well as special events, corporate + private clients. Her aim is to scale back the layers of attachment and identification so we may remember our way back home within ourselves.

 

Saturday November 27 2021

 

Arts Therapy Session - IN PERSON (Hosted by: Alana Perri

Session # 1 - 11:00am - 12:00pm CLICK HERE TO REGISTER FOR THIS TIME SLOT

Session # 2 - 2:00pm - 3:00pm CLICK HERE TO REGISTER FOR THIS TIME SLOT

Note: there will only be 12 in person tickers available per time slot

Cost: Pay-What-You-Can 

Location: The Assembly Theatre (1479 Queen Street West) 

ABOUT:  These Arts Therapy Sessions will be the first 2 of in-person sessions being held in person at The                                                                      Assembly Theatre. The goal of the Expressive Arts Therapy is to provide                                                                              assistance to Artists in-need by creating a safe and inviting space that                                                                                  welcomes vulnerability and creative expression. The mental & physical health                                                                  and wellness of Artists, Creatives, and other humans a-like is extremely                                                                              important, especially after the last year and a half+ of uncertainty.  Creation &                                                                  Expression are forms of healing.  During the hour-long workshops participants                                                               will have the space to create and share using all/any art-form. We focus on sensitivity and expression, not skill. Together, we will play, share, and explore. Throughout this j journey, participants will discover new and different ways to use the language of imagination and creativity to communicate inner feelings which aren’t always  available when thinking or talking about them. To learn more about Expressive Arts Therapy, visit alanaperri.ca/what-is-exa

 

Mental Wellness Month: A BIPOC Panel Discussion  (Hosted by: Sedina Fiati)

7:30pm - 9:00pm

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER FOR THIS EVENT (note: there will only be 30 in person tickets available)

Cost: Pay-What-You-Can 

Location: The Assembly Theatre (1479 Queen Street West) & Live Streamed on our Youtube Channel

ABOUT:  One Four One Collective and Assembly Theatre presents: Mental Wellness Month: A BIPOC Panel Discussion. On Saturday, November 27th at 7:00pm, a panel of theatre artists from Toronto’s BIPOC community will come together to discuss the unique mental health strain and challenges BIPOC artists face. Moderated by Sedina Fiati (performer, producer, creator, director), a series of prompts will be used to unpack the topic of intersectional mental health and explore the unique perspective each panelist offers on the subject. This discussion will occur on site at Assemble Theatre, following government Covid-19 health & safety protocols, and will be live streamed on Youtube to the public at large.

 

PANELISTS

Sedina Fiati: Sedina Fiati is a Toronto based artist and activist for stage and

screen. Proudly Black and queer, Sedina is a frequent facilitator, panelist and

host in the areas of equity, diversity and inclusion as well as the arts overall.

Sedina is currently Artist-Activist in Residence at Nightwood Theatre and proud

founding member of the Black Pledge Collective. Sedina was the co-chair of

ACTRA Toronto’s Diversity Committee and 2nd VP of council for Canadian

Actors’ Equity Association. Sedina worked with Generator from 2018 - 2021, focusing on providing mentorship, program development and coordination for the Artist Producer Training Program. Recent projects: Toronto Fringe - Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Audit, various workshops in anti oppression, anti Black racism and social justice (Volcano Theatre, Clarice Season 1, Tall Boyz Season 2, York Regional Arts Council, Firecracker Department). Recent podcast appearances: Firecracker Department and the Buddies in Bad Times Youth/Elders Podcast.

Stacy-Ann Buchanan: Buchanan's impact, entrepreneurial work ethic and

achievements have led her to being selected as one of the 100 Black Women to

Watch in Canada, one of the 150 Black Women Making Canada Better, one of

the 150 Leading Canadians for Mental Health and landing a TEDx Talk. The

self-directed and self-funded award winning documentary, The Blind Stigma, 

made Canadian history when it debuted as the first documentary produced in

Canada that takes an in-depth look at how mental health is perceived within

the Black community, and cemented Buchanan as a documentary film maker.  As a recognized brand, The Blind Stigma has since branched out into a podcast that continues to explore such stigmas, dissect the multiple factors that aid towards mental illness in the Black communities and provides a safe space for stories to be heard. Her body of work has firmly planted her career on disrupting systemic anti-Black racism by taking holistic approaches to dismantle the stigmas of how mental health is constructed. Through raising awareness, directing positive dialogues to fuel resources, and orchestrating safe, constructive spaces for Black voices to be amplified, Stacy-Ann Buchanan’s ultimate objective is to take back the Black narrative.

Angela Sun: Angela Sun is a Mad, plus-size, first generation/ settler actor,

theatre creator, producer, writer, and arts administrator of East Asian descent.

Her multidisciplinary, multilingual artistic practice focuses on cultural

dissonance and mental health. She is known for her advocacy for cultural

diversity, size-inclusivity, and access for the invisible disability community

that prioritizes lived experience over “expert” knowledge. Angela has worked

with many emerging and established artistic organizations throughout her

career. She is currently developing a one-person show on trauma, representation, and storytelling entitled The Glass Eye which recently received work-in-progress readings as a part of Cahoots Theatre's Hot House playwriting unit and at Workman Art's Big Feels Symposium. She also serves as the Community Engagement Coordinator at Theatre Passe Muraille. 

 

Richard Young: Richard Young (he/him) is a South Asian (Indo-Caribbean)

Canadian screenwriter/actor. Stage acting credits include three productions

of “The New Canadian Curling Club” (Western Canada Theatre, Thousands I

sland Playhouse, Alberta Theatre Projects: Betty Mitchell Award nominee),

"Men Express Their Feelings" (Downstage Theatre) and “The Grass Is

Greenest At The Houston Astrodome” (Toronto Fringe: MyEntWorld Critics’

Pick Award nominee). Screen acting credits include "Taken" (NBC), "Jett"

(Cinemax), "Kim's Convenience" (CBC) and "Transplant" (CTV). Writing

credits include “Overlord and the Underwoods” (CBC/Nickelodeon), "Dino Ranch" (CBC/Disney+), and "16 Hudson" (TVO). As an AFBS Governor and the outgoing ACTRA Toronto Treasurer, his focus is diversity, inclusion, and the empowerment of artists. Twitter/Instagram: @RichardYoungRY

Emerjade Simms: Emerjade Simms is a Jamaican-Canadian actor and

storyteller. She is a graduate of the Acting program at the University of

Windsor and holds a BFA degree. Emerjade is also a 2016/17 graduate of the

Mechanicals program at Factory Theatre. In her career as an actor so far, she

has worked with many wonderful people and companies. Select theatre

credits include 21 Black Futures: Omega Child (Obsidian/CBC), Peter Pan

(Bad Hats/Soulpepper), School Girls; Or, The African Mean Girls Play*

(Obsidian/Nightwood), Wounded Soldiers (4th Line), The Bird Killer (

Let Me In). Television credits include Forbidden, Fear They Neighbor, See No

Evil and Paranormal 911. Emerjade enjoys napping in her down time and thanks her mom for everything. 

Sunday November 28 2021

 

Arts Therapy Session # 3 - IN PERSON (Hosted by: Alana Perri

11:00am - 12:00pm CLICK HERE TO REGISTER FOR THIS TIME SLOT

(note: there will only be 12 in person tickets available per time slot)

Cost: Pay-What-You-Can 

Location: The Assembly Theatre (1479 Queen Street West) 

ABOUT:  This Arts Therapy Session will be the final in-person sessions being held in person at The Assembly Theatre. The goal of the Expressive Arts Therapy is to provide assistance to Artists in-need by creating a safe and inviting space that welcomes vulnerability and creative expression. The mental & physical health and wellness of Artists, Creatives, and other humans a-like is extremely important, especially after the last year and a half+ of uncertainty. The Arts & Entertainment industry was one of the first to get shut down during COVID-19 and will be one of the last to re-open, putting many out of work and out of practice. Creation & Expression are forms of healing. Without an outlet for this, many Artists are struggling to cope, putting their mental & physical health is at risk. During the hour-long workshops participants will have the space to create and share using all/any art-form. We focus on sensitivity and expression, not skill. Together, we will play, share, and explore. Throughout this j journey, participants will discover new and different ways to use the language of imagination and creativity to communicate inner feelings which aren’t always  available when thinking or talking about them. To learn more about Expressive Arts Therapy, visit alanaperri.ca/what-is-exa

Arts Therapy Session - ONLINE (Hosted by: Alana Perri

3:00pm - 4:00pm CLICK HERE TO REGISTER FOR THIS TIME SLOT

Cost: Pay-What-You-Can 

Location: Held Via Private Zoom Room (Zoom details to follow)

ABOUT: This Arts Therapy Session will be held virtually via zoom. The goal of the Expressive Arts Therapy is to provide assistance to Artists in-need by creating a safe and inviting space that welcomes vulnerability and creative expression. The mental & physical health and wellness of Artists, Creatives, and other humans a-like is extremely important, especially after the last year and a half+ of uncertainty. The Arts & Entertainment industry was one of the first to get shut down during COVID-19 and will be one of the last to re-open, putting many out of work and out of practice. Creation & Expression are forms of healing. Without an outlet for this, many Artists are struggling to cope, putting their mental & physical health is at risk. During the hour-long workshops participants will have the space to create and share using all/any art-form. We focus on sensitivity and expression, not skill. Together, we will play, share, and explore. Throughout this j journey, participants will discover new and different ways to use the language of imagination and creativity to communicate inner feelings which aren’t always  available when thinking or talking about them. To learn more about Expressive Arts Therapy, visit alanaperri.ca/what-is-exa

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The Mental Wellness team includes:

Producers: Melanie Pyne, Kate Pharaoh, Rebecca Bauer, Cass Van Wyck

Have a question about Mental Wellness Month? Email us at TheAssemblyTheatre.com

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