Past Projects

The Empathy Project:
a new human experience | Volume II

The Empathy Project launched on June 27th 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 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.

The Empathy Project:
a new human experience | Volume I

The Empathy Project launched on May 30th 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.

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.

The Humanity Project
Mloka, Tanzania
January - March 2017

In January 2017, Co-Artistic Directors Rachael Yoder and Michael Herman traveled to Tanzania to join Asha and her
husband Patrick, along with other Mloka residents, in building a labor clinic and
continuing to develop the Ubinadamu project, as well as a school drama curriculum.

Ubinadamu
New York, NY, July 2016

Produced by DAT
Directed by Michael Herman
Inspired by Asha Musa Dibuga

Lighting Design: Erin Jones
Set Design: Elle Kunnos de Voss
Road Manager, Dramaturg and Choreographer: Sarapia Veruli
Featuring: Ariana Howell, Brian Telestai, Kate Moran, Kerith Telestai, Sarah Grace Sanders, and Vanessa Frank

Photos by Kevin McNair

Talk Hard: March
New York, NY
March 28th, 2016

Lineup:
Shana Goodman
Sarah Jacobs
Maddie Smith
Jarielle Uter
Maggie Lalley
Rachael Yoder
Michael Herman
Sergio Castillo
Photos by Sissel Annett

Talk Hard: February
New York, NY
February 29th, 2016
The Talk Hard Anniversary!

Lineup:
Shana Goodman
Lovell
The Gramophone Mashup
Sergio Castillo
Sarah Jacobs
Anthony Rodriguez
Maggie Lalley
Becca Beveraggi
Maddy Smith
Photos by Rachael Yoder

HOME For the Holidays
Brooklyn, NY
December 1st, 2015

The Outer Loop Family Holiday

Party Experience.

At the holidays, we find ourselves incredibly grateful for all of our Outer Loop friends and fans. HOME and FAMILY are concepts that are very dear to us, and we realize that not everyone is able to leave NYC for the holidays. HOME is our way of saying thank you to our friends and supporters of 2015.

Talk Hard: November
Brooklyn, NY
November 3rd, 2015

Lineup:
Jose Dao
Scott McClelland
Sarah Jacobs
Rachael Logue
Sergio Castillo
Peretz Scheinerman
Angelica Flowers
Nigel Inniss
Photos by Rachael Yoder

Tooth and Claw
Brooklyn, NY
October 23rd, 2015

A staged reading of Tooth and Claw
by Lindsay Infantino
Directed by Michael Herman
Cast:
Rachael Yoder
Tre’von Lyle
André James Smith
Stephen Hull
Rachael Logue