Lead artist, Cynthia C. Harris, MPH will serve as playwright and facilitator for proposed choreopoem and performance project, funded in part with support from a Metro Arts THRIVE Project award. In partnership with Leah Alexander, PHD, MPH Director and Associate Professor with Meharry Medical College’s Master of Public Health (MPH) program in the School of Graduate Studies. Thirteen second-year students will work with the lead artist to develop an original choreopoem around the social and political determinants of health as they impact their own lives.
Beginning with an introduction to choreopoems workshop, created and facilitated by Cynthia C. Harris. MPH, Meharry graduate students in the Department of Public Health will be guided through the process of creating autobiographical monologues, songs, and poems from writing prompts. A vocabulary of movement to be included in the final performance will also be developed during the Fall 2023 semester in conjunction with their Health Education and Promotion course, which is required for all second year graduate students. The performance will be further developed and rehearsed during the Spring 2024 semester. Student-participants will be welcomed to perform or the lead artist will identify community artists to join the production as needed.
Actors
Tyler Bibb
Briana Finley
Milton Jackson
Patrićyonna Rodgers
Natalie Tita
Brayonna Townsend
Co- Directors
Cynthia C. Harris
Alicia Haymer
Choreography and Movement Direction
Gabrielle Saliba
Producer and Acting Coach
Vali Forrister
Writers
Sydney Batts
Robyn McDaniel
Mia Barber
Maurice Swift
Dr. Leah Alexander
Tredarius Lassiter
Kendra Bettis
Kaylah Dowdell
Jayla Williams
Sariah Harris
Elijah Johnson
Doresha Robinson
Alisha Puri
Alexis Cunningham
Healing Waters Productions 