About Us
from BODY IMAGE
Since 1995 the INNER VOICES Social Issues Theatre program has produced challenging and timely theatre pieces that address social and health issues. The program provides a unique forum in which audience members are encouraged to consider how subtle and not so subtle attitudes and behaviors affect experiences and actions. Performances are held at the Armory Free Theatre and are also available for touring.
INNER VOICES: Social Issue Theatre began in the spring of 1995 as a vehicle for addressing binge drinking on college campuses. Sponsored by McKinley Health Center, The Counseling Center and the Theatre Department at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, INNER VOICES has grown into a program offering high quality performances critical to promoting a healthy social environment at the University of Illinois. Additionally, the program provides an opportunity for students to be actively engaged in the process of creating and performing social issues theatre through four courses that students may take for academic credit.
INNER VOICES Social Issues Theatre offers several touring shows per semester, each addressing a different topic ranging from health concerns such as substance abuse, sexual health and body image to social issues such as sexual orientation, racism, women’s issues and sexual assault.
Each performance, designed to be fun, informative and challenging, includes a 20 - 40 minute performance followed by a facilitated discussion. Facilitators include trained professionals from the Counseling Center and the McKinley Health Center at the University of Illinois as well as students who are training in the fields of social work, women’s studies, theatre studies and health related fields and who are currently enrolled in the Leading Post Performance Dialogue class.
