S6E2: Using Theater for Social Justice: Inclusive Leadership and Beyond

Welcome to Season 6 Episode 2 of Race, Culture & Beyond: A
Naked Conversation Podcast. On today’s episode, we are joined by
Trent Norman of Affinity Arts Consulting as we discuss improving
human connection and advancing Social Justice through the art of
Theatre. 






Trent Norman (he/his/him/they/them/theirs) has a
history of Diversity & Inclusion work; 


As a student activist, he created the (1) Black
Students Organization at Fort Lewis College, (2) UCAP (United
Coalition Against Prejudice) – a not-for-profit organization
created to address the Ku Klux Klan, and a (3) a performance
Theatre group. 


 


Trent received his Bachelor of Arts Degree in English Literature
and Theatre Performance while participating as a Residence
Assistant and a student-athlete; Trent’s Master of Science is in
Social Psychology; focusing his energies on group dynamics and
facilitation. 


 


Trent continued his love of theatre as the co-founder and
director of the University of Colorado’s Interactive Theatre
Project and Affinity Arts Consulting (AAC). 


 


Through AAC Trent has created and facilitated performance about
social issues for a variety of audiences including
restorative justice practitioners, national and international
university conferences, first-year student orientations, K-12
teacher educators, sexual assault prosecutor, and support
services and environmental justice advocates; using theatre to
engage audiences in learning and information
sharing. 


 


Additionally, Trent works with the Center for Academic
Performance Excellence (CAPE) on the University of Colorado’s
Anschutz medical campus helping medical professionals
improve their practice, communication skills and patient
relationships as an actor and facilitator. He has served
as the Assistant Director for Organizational Diversity at the
University of Colorado Boulder, where he developed a
stand-alone Diversity curriculum implemented by other
instructors he trained. Trent created and implemented a diversity
plan for the Division of Student Affairs, engaged the Department
of Housing and Dining Services in a unit-wide Diversity training
and with colleague Rebecca Brown Adelman received the NYU
Steinhart excellence award for innovative theatre practices for
their work at the University of Colorado and Affinity
Arts. Trent has published and leads workshops on
facilitation and used that experience to center his diversity
& inclusion work. Trent participated in the Social
Justice Training Institute (as a participant and
intern); has been certified to train in the NCBI (National
Coalition Building Institute) model; has a training certificate
from NCORE (National Conference On Race and Ethnicity in American
Higher Education) and completed the Social Justice Education
Training Certificate from NCORE. Trent is also a
professional photographer, writer, ski instructor, and
avid cyclist. 


 


The conversation with Trent is not only thought-provoking but
rich with experience, humor, and wisdom. Tune in to hear Trent
discuss:


The connection between JEDI (justice, equity, diversity, and
inclusion) and Theatre 

How Theatre can be used as a tool for exploring identity

How Theatre can amplify and bridge the gap between intention
and impact

Strategies for creating spaces for real and raw conversations
to take place



To connect with Trent and his work visit
http://affinityartsconsulting.com/


Thank you thank you for listening to the show.  It is such
an honor to have these conversations with you. They are necessary
and needed and we are here to do the work. A special thank you to
Trent for his time, his expertise, and his wisdom. 


 


For access to ALL the resources mentioned, sign up for
the “resource roundup” at
sagebhobbs.com/nc-podcast. 


 


The (short & awesome) newsletter will also keep you in the
loop on the latest episodes, and other opportunities. 


 


Let’s connect:


Like what you hear? Please subscribe to Naked Conversations on
Apple Podcasts. Or Stitcher. Or Google Play. Or any of the
following – Overcast, Blubbry, TuneIn Radio, Player.fm.


 


For (much appreciated) gold stars: Leave a rating + review! Just
a few short words will help more folks find the show and be a
part of this conversation. Thank you! 


 


Also, please send a DM on Instagram to @sagebhobbs or
@ericayhoward to let us know what you love about the show, what
topics you’d like to hear covered, or your dream interviewee.