Cheers to 20 Years!
zAmya began in 2004 as a single, annual performance event hosted by St. Stephens (now Agate Housing). Since then, we’ve grown into an independent nonprofit with year-round programming, producing powerful theater that is changing the narrative of homelessness across the state of Minnesota.
Below is a letter from Maren Ward, zAmya’s Artistic Director:
Dear zAm Fam,
Have you heard the latest newZ? This year, zAmya Theater celebrates its TWENTIETH anniversary of harnessing the power of lived experience with homelessness and artistic expression to inspire our communities towards housing justice for all. In 20 years, we’ve reached over 25,000 people through more than 600 performances of 22 full length original plays and workshops. We have worked with over 200 partners across the state in housing, social services, health, and the arts. Shout out to the board members past, present and future, our small dedicated staff, our beloved Troupe Members, participants, audience members, donors, volunteers. We did it! This is so outstanding!!!
Our vision is for empowered, interconnected communities that stop staring and start seeing, ultimately transforming the systems that dehumanize us. We are witnessing this transformation through the work of our partners. The Campaign Against Racism is mobilizing healthcare providers to combat racism and advocate for housing equity. Hennepin County Library is making strides to ensure that the library serves as a safe haven for individuals experiencing homelessness to access essential resources. Meanwhile, the North Loop Neighborhood Association board members are advocating for a new Avivo Village in St. Cloud, and 825 Arts opening later this month in St. Paul has reached out to partner on a program that will help make their new space welcoming to unhoused neighbors. Our communities are hard at work providing mutual aid at encampments, gathering data at Build Meetings, showing up at Align Mpls’ Street Voices of Change meetings, attending calls of the Our Future Starts at Home Coalition, educating at Agate Housing’s A Day in the Life events and many more actions large and small. Change is afoot.
We need the work inside and outside of zAmya. We don’t yet know the full impact of the Supreme Court decision in Johnson vs. Grant Pass, allowing cities to criminalize homelessness. We need to know that we are making a difference. A supporter recently asked how we measure our impact. It’s the million dollar question. Our impact is often reflected in the stories and feedback we receive. For example, individuals have shared that after attending one of our shows, they were offered a place to live, used zAmya as a job reference, pursued further education in theater, or connected with other artists.
We also gauge our impact through the reactions of our participants and audiences. From the joy, connection, healing, inspiration, and motivation expressed in one-word checkouts after workshops and rehearsals, to the laughter, tears, and newfound perspectives shared during performances, we measure our success by the relationships we foster.
In honor of our 20th anniversary please take a moment to share the impact zAmya has had on you in this brief survey. We’ll be so grateful to include you in our assessment and celebration of our achievement.
So darn grateful and proud,
Maren Ward
Executive Artistic Director
“I have seen firsthand how many ways zAmya has changed so many lives, through participation, awareness, dignity and compassion at a time of great need where everyone must feel seen, heard and cared for” - Anonymous
“zAmya is a godsend that has helped me through a really hard time. Now they can’t get rid of me.” - Robert Blood, zAmya Troupe and Board Member
Celebrate with us!
Join us for a special December performance and celebration, Sat. December 14th, 2:00pm!
Free! No tickets or reservations required
More information is available here.
Connect with us!
If you’d like to learn more about zAmya or explore ways to get involved, you can contact us online or drop in to a Creative Expression Session workshop at the library this fall.
You can also find us on Facebook and Instagram, and view past performances on our YouTube channel.
Donations of any amount are also welcome and deeply appreciated.
Images and Voices from the last 20 years…
“Stories are how we connect and understand and I love that zAmya employs those with lived experience who can both share their stories and contribute to their community in meaningful ways.” - Rebecca Skoler
“This is not just an organization that puts on amazing productions of real world issues happening in our communities, also providing a space for real people suffering in silence, alone and scared. A voice to tell their story to express their struggles to help the participants heal while helping others to heal. We all need to hear and feel we are not alone! This organization gave myself and my daughter an opportunity of a life. To connect in ways she and I will remember forever. All while meeting amazing people with amazing talents, sharing and creating a powerful message.” - Kris Jackson
“zAmya gives me hope for the world I want to live in.” - Rebecca Noon
“We discharge parents to shelters all the time - I did not realize the issues at… these places in general. I need to check them out if I am going to continue to agree to discharge people to these… Also I realized how annoying it is to hear 'we can provide resources' which really doesn't mean anything....I like the audience members comment of leaving with a bunch of pamphlets and pens as if that does anything.” - Audience member
“Being connected to a group of people committed to holding each other in beloved community has made me less afraid of facing crises and complex social issues. Seeing troupe members boldly perform their own stories, with so much laughter and grace, has brought me joy and profound hope.” - Andi Cheney
“It is important that art must have a voice just as people must speak from their own voices. Through zAmya, I have learned how I can participate in creative projects using the arts as a way to connect to the very pulse of people experiencing life altering situations, such as homelessness.” - Marcia Barnes