Fostering Belonging Through Community Theater — Episode 156

Happy Park and Recreation Month! On today’s episode, we’re
excited to bring you a story that truly embodies this year’s
theme of “Where You Belong.” Each year, the NRPA team hosts a
cover contest to find a cover photo and story for the July issue
of Parks & Recreation magazine that supports the year’s
theme, and this year’s winner is a gem.


Today we’re joined by the winner, Rachel Kohler, a recreation
coordinator for cultural arts and community engagement for The
Majestic Theatre, part of Corvallis Parks & Recreation in
Oregon. If you haven’t read the story yet in the July issue, it’s
a wonderful piece that shares how community theater is fostering
inclusion and belonging among its staff and participants. It’s
truly a testament to the power of intergenerational programming,
bringing folx together with diverse identities and how we can all
learn something from someone else, regardless of our differences.


Tune in to the full conversation below to learn more about Rachel
and why this story of The Majestic Theatre’s production of “The
Tempest” embodies the power of belonging — and why parks and
recreation can be such an important catalyst for continuing to
build belonging in communities. You’ll also learn:


How The Majestic Theatre approached its audition announcement
to bring in people from diverse backgrounds, experiences and
identities

How staff ensured everyone felt safe, welcome and included
throughout the production

Why community theater is such a powerful way to build
belonging and diversify an agency’s offerings

What challenges arose during the production and how the team
and cast navigated them

Why this work is so meaningful to Rachel, and much more!



Related Links:


Park and Recreation Month

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learned something that might help you make a positive impact in
your community, please consider donating to NRPA to not only
support our storytelling efforts, but also our mission to advance
parks, recreation and conservation efforts that enhance the
quality of life for all at nrpa.org/donate.