Past Projects
The Outer Loop Virtual Gala &
Empathy Project Volume III:
Love Will Win in the End
December 19, 2020
Our annual end of the year gala goes virtual this year, due to the pandemic, and merges with our third collaboration of a devised theatrical response to the moment of crisis, we as a global community, currently find ourselves in. These are scary and uncertain times, ones simultaneously abundant and lacking in connection and hope. Can we, through theater, inspire empathy and reconnect to our shared humanity?
BElonging
December 4-6, 2020
A virtual co-production with Renaissance Theaterworks in Milwaukee, Wisconsin: Theater by Women, for Everyone. Three short plays by playwrights of color. In response to the nationwide social justice call to action, comes this production attempting to define, “Who belongs?”
OneIronaut
September 12-13, 2020
A 24-hour, one-of-a-kind, virtually immersive, theatrical experience, premiered live on our cyber stage. Escape to the year 2090, where nature has taken back what’s rightfully hers and citizens of the world live to dream.
Created by Kayla Zanakis
Empathy Radio
July - August 2020
A weekly virtual podcast-style show, that ran during the pandemic of 2020. Zoom call-in radio style dialogue and listening hour,
modeling constructive conversations and fostering empathy.
Hosted by Michael Herman & Rachael Yoder
The Empathy Project:
a new human experience | Volume II
June 27, 2020
The Empathy Project included both live and pre-recorded performances of stories from people of all ages, races, beliefs and demographics, all surrounding their current experience of our country’s social and political unrest, the protests of George Floyd’s murder, and our nation’s cries for justice, for change, and for peace.
Laugh Hard
June - July 2020
A hilarious weekly virtual workshop for female comedians, hosted by Maddy Smith, Shana Goodman, Sarah Garner and Maggie Lalley. Broadcast on Outer Loop TV. Coming back soon!
The Empathy Project:
a new human experience | Volume I
May 30, 2020
The Empathy Project launched in May of 2020 and included both live and pre-recorded performances of stories from people of all ages, races, beliefs and demographics, all surrounding their current experience of COVID-19 and the global pandemic.
News Hard
May - July 2020
A weekly virtual news satire show, hosted by Outer Loop Artistic Director Michael Herman, broadcast on Outer Loop TV. Think Saturday Night Live meets the coronavirus pandemic.
Talk Hard
April - December 2020
A virtual weekly new-work salon for playwrights, actors, directors, poets, musicians, singers, djs, painters, writers, dancers, comedians, filmmakers, spoken word and hip-hop artists, to get a peek at any new piece they're working on, in front of a supportive audience.
The Humanity Project: Phase 4
Mloka, Tanzania
June - November 2019
Co-Artistic Directors Michael Herman & Rachael Yoder returned to Tanzania, along with some of our donors, to continue THP work in Mloka. Thanks to our donor support and a partnership with the Government of Tanzania, we completed 2 new wells and 1 new play!
Uponyaji (To Heal)
Mloka, Tanzania, July 2019
A devised performance piece by artists
from the U.S. and Mloka, addressing the
question: "What does it mean to heal?"
Directed by Michael Herman
13 Suits: A Mother's Monologues
Staged Reading
Albany, NY, May 20th, 2019
Based on actual events,
13 Suits: A Mother's Monologues is a multimedia theatrical experience, crafted from a mother's reflections after losing her son.
Written by Kathleen K. Duff
Adapted by Michael Herman &
Rachael Yoder
The Humanity Project TEDx Talk
Albany, NY, April 2019
Co-Artistic Directors Michael Herman and Rachael Yoder were invited to the TEDx stage, to speak about humanity, unity, and their work on The Humanity Project.
The event was held at the Brown School
in Albany, New York.
You can watch the TEDx video on YouTube here.
The Humanity Project: Phase 3
Mloka, Tanzania
September - November 2018
In the fall of 2018, Co-Artistic Director Michael Herman returned to Tanzania to continue THP work in Mloka. Thanks to our donor support and a partnership with the Government of Tanzania, we continued construction of the remaining buildings on the health center property.
The Humanity Project: Phase 2
Mloka, Tanzania
June - July 2018
In June 2018, Co-Artistic Directors Rachael Yoder and Michael Herman returned to Tanzania to continue work in Mloka. Thanks to our donor support and a partnership with African Well Fund, we opened the labor clinic, built a well, began teaching theater at the local primary school, and continued our collaboration with Tanzanian artists.