Creative Expression at the Minneapolis Central Library

creative expression sessionS

Creative Expression Sessions are a fun space for folks looking to learn about performance, working together, and creative play. People who’ve experienced housing instability are especially encouraged to attend. We provide coffee, snacks and bus tokens (while supplies last). Participants also have an option to attend drop-in acting classes, and to perform in a Shareformance at the end of each seasonal session (see below).

This long running residency is a project of Hennepin County Library at the Minneapolis Central Library and is funded by the Minnesota Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund.

Acting Classes ***NEW IN 2025***

This winter, zAmya is partnering with local actor, singer and director Harry Waters, Jr. to provide free, drop-in acting classes through Hennepin County Library. Classes will take place on Wednesday afternoons starting in February, and are open to anyone who is also participating in Creative Expression Sessions on Tuesday mornings. Anyone with the lived experience of homelessness can receive a $10 gift card for participating in these classes (while supplies last; must be present at the start and end of class to be eligible).

Participants who join by March 5th also have the option to perform in a Shareformance at the end of the session (see below).

Shareformance

Participants in the Wednesday acting classes have the option to perform in a Shareformance demonstrating their work over the course of the residency. These performances are always free and open to the public.

This spring, the Shareformance will be a showcase of work developed in acting classes.

As a thank-you and to support people bringing the lived experience of homelessness, we offer a $10 gift card for each class/rehearsal (while supplies last; must be present at the start and end of rehearsal to be eligible).

More details will be posted here as the date gets closer.

Questions?

For all questions related to Creative Expression Sessions, acting classes, and Shareformances, including accessibility services, please contact Esther Ouray, Company Manager: esther [at] zamyatheater [dot] org  or 612.760.4804.

2025 Schedule

Creative Expression Sessions:

  • Tuesdays, January 14th through April 29th, from 8:30-10:30am at the Downtown Minneapolis Central Library (1st floor Commons area) at 300 Nicollet Mall. Note: No workshop Tues, Jan. 21st.

  • Summer and Fall 2025 dates still TBD.

Acting Classes:

  • Wednesdays, February 5th through April 16th, from 1:00-3:00pm at the Downtown Minneapolis Central Library (Doty Board Room, 2nd floor).

Spring Shareformance:

  • Thursday, April 10th, from 6:00-7:30pm at the Downtown Minneapolis Central Library (Pohlad Auditorium, 2nd floor).

Below: Images from the fall 2024 Shareformance, “20 Years of zAmya: A Retroformance”, showcasing favorite scenes from throughout zAmya’s 20-year history.

Below: Images from the summer 2024 Shareformance, “Got Talent?”, which was performed at the Downtown Minneapolis Street Art Festival and featured short acts comprised of original content from the lives of workshop participants, the majority of whom are currently and/or formerly unhoused.