Monday, August 3, 2020
Keep Yes, And-ing this summer with a weekly roundup of notable events, helpful resources, and delightful distractions to keep you connected, inspired, and activated through these sweltering months. Delivered to your inbox every Monday morning, the OA Summer Series invites you to connect from a distance!
If you have friends or relatives who would like this weekly resource guide, you can tell them to sign up here.
BE WELL
Hi Noon Improv (Thursdays @ noon, 30 minutes) No experience necessary and all are welcome! Did you know that just 20 minutes of improv practice promotes overall wellbeing? Ride out the tropical storm this week with Opening Act’s Jeremiah Thompson (Act 2 Fellow) and Cathleen Carr for this weekly, free, 30 minute improv boost to keep you connected and resilient! Registration is required!
Feel better by doing Yoga with Halima! (Monday @ noon, Friday @ noon, Saturday @ 11:30am, Sunday @ 10am) ET. Teaching since 2014, Halima’s Vinyasa yoga classes focus on proper alignment and straightforward yet challenging sequences in a light-hearted, welcoming environment. Halima believes a mindful practice can decompress and strengthen the body, mind, and spirit! Off the mat Halima is a NYC based actor and Opening Act teaching artist who’s a proud U of Michigan alum. Classes are Pay What You Can.
WATCHING
Need some hope? Take a moment and listen to these young leaders share a panel discussion with Opening Act’s Executive Director, Zareta Ricks on how important (and meaningful) paid internships are to creating a vibrant and inclusive future for everyone.
READING
John Lewis left us his final words. Please take a moment.
LISTENING
BRIC’s Celebrate Brooklyn Festival delivered despite the virtual odds! These beautifully produced performances (including Common) will ignite a fire in your heart to squash this virus so we can be together once again at the Bandshell in Prospect Park!
LEARNING
Yesterday would have been James Baldwin’s 96th birthday. If you haven’t already, take 1 hour, 33 minutes, and 48 seconds to watch I Am Not Your Negro streaming for free on YouTube. This excellent documentary about his life and work will catalyze and inspire you to live authentically and unapologetically.
FAMILY FUN
Listen and dance to this playlist from Spotify, empowering and energizing the little listeners in your life!
Then why not build some social-emotional learning into your kiddo’s day with this fun, music-centered lesson plan from The Morningside Center for Teaching Social Responsibility.
COMMUNITY
Big news in arts ed: The NYC Arts in Education Roundtable and the New York Community Trust have teamed up to create an “Arts Educator Emergency Relief Fund” to award at least 300 grants of up to $1,000 to arts educators who are facing serious financial hardship due to the COVID-19 crisis. Follow this emerging story here.
Congratulations to Opening Act Artistic Advisory Board Member Alexa L. Fogel on her Emmy nomination for Outstanding Casting for a Drama Series for her incredible work in Ozark! This Netflix original also features long-time Opening Act friend and guest artist Marc Menchaca. Fans can read an interview with Alexa about casting this compellingly drama here.
WHAT OA STUDENTS ARE UP TO
Act 2 Fellows hosted an Alumni Open Mic this past week. Former students gathered on Zoom from all over to laugh and share space together through theater games and micro-performances. These moments remind us how important community is right now…
Thanks for reading and please reach out with suggestions and submission ideas to hello@openingact.org and don’t forget to follow our Act 2 Fellows on Instagram! See you next Monday!
Got your back!