Feast of Crispian-South
Feast of Crispian-South (FOCS), modeled after the original Feast of Crispian program in Milwaukee, WI, uses Shakespeare’s language and creative writing as tools to strengthen the psychological resources available to Memphis area veterans with post-deployment mental health and chemical dependency issues.
TSC is entering its ninth year at the Memphis V.A. Medical Hospital, facilitating sessions in which veterans use the language of Shakespeare to articulately and safely speak their thoughts and feelings. They also engage in self-reflection and self-expression through journaling, prose, and poetry.
FOCS facilitates one-hour sessions with in-patient veterans, implementing a strategic combination of theatre practices, live performances, and Shakespeare text so that the veterans will:
- Explore Shakespeare’s language in a way that makes it personally meaningful, using the frame of Shakespeare’s words and themes to communicate the impact of post-deployment issues;
- Articulate their thoughts and feelings and learn how to safely de-escalate when triggered by larger feelings;
- Be witnessed by peers and professionals;
- Work with commitment and collaborate with a safe and supportive community;
- Foster a sense of accomplishment;
- Utilize the power of stories and metaphors to more deeply understand and communicate their own personal experience.
Articulating thoughts and feelings are essential elements of living alongside stresses and traumas. This also is how we enrich our relationships. Thinking about another’s emotions and actions makes it easier to relate to one’s own and to begin to put those thoughts and feelings into words.
TSC’s sessions are an outlet to think, feel, and speak publicly through Shakespeare’s language, which affords opportunities for compassion, empathy, and humor. Being heard and seen expressing those thoughts and feelings is a profoundly important part of any individual’s ability to feel they are an integrated part of their community.
We are continuing to expand our Veteran programming for the larger Memphis community with classes at Veterans organizations and on-site at Tennessee Shakespeare Company, using improvisation, Shakespeare, poetry, and collaborative theater exercises to promote self-expression and humor. If you or your organization would like to be included, please reach out today!
For more information about this program, or to find out how you can support it, contact Sarah Hankins; sarahhankins@tnshakespeare.org, (901) 759-0604.
This program is funded in part by AutoZone through an ArtsZone Grant, by the Tennessee Arts Commission through an Arts for All Grant, and by the National Endowment for the Arts and Mid-America Arts Alliance through a Creative Forces Community Engagement Grant.
