BP + NPT present COPP:
Commonalities, Opposites,
Partners for Peace
formally known as We Wear the Masks
Partners for Peace
formally known as We Wear the Masks
"BREATHE," Produced by Blackberry Productions and New Professional Theatre
BREATHE is an overview of the current fraught and complex relationships between the New York Police Department (NYPD) and their constituencies, particularly people of color. New Professional Theatre and Blackberry Productions presented the show on its feet on June 17th, 2022, at Aaron Davis Hall at City College. After a successful opening night, featuring our talented group of actors, and appearances from the NYPD and the community, it was a special night that highlighted the many ways in which we can bridge the gap between the NYPD and the community.
About The COPP Project
Blackberry Productions Founders Stephanie Berry and Dr. John-Martin Green and New Professional Theatre Founder Sheila Kay Davis have partnered on a theater project that will illuminate critical issues in our communities. Our project is a two-year intervention strategy that involves members of the NYPD and youth. It is designed to build trust and facilitate reconciliation. We have established a relationship with NYPD Chief of Community Affairs Jeffrey B. Maddrey and Deputy Inspector Victoria Perry. We have and continue to conduct facilitated Interactive Workshops with members of the NYPD and youth. The workshops and individual interviews with members of the NYPD and youth serves as a basis for the creation of the theatre piece, BREATHE. This project is funded by the Thompson Family Foundation.
Learn more about kick-off event participants here.
ARTS + ACTIVISM AT WORK
At our kick-off event, we were pleased to welcome NYPD officers and representatives from our younger population (who will be participants in our summer workshops), constituents from the Department of Probation, community leaders and members of the NYS Supreme Court. Manhattan Borough President Gale Brewer and Councilmember Mark Levine spoke favorably about the need and the importance for creative and innovative resources to be available for all students. Identifying and rebooting funding for arts and culture endeavors in our schools remains a priority of our newly elected administration as we re-imagine and rebuild inclusive neighborhoods not just in Harlem, but throughout the city.
Special guests, Tamara Tunie (of ‘Law and Order, SVU’) and Emmy award-winning voice actor, Keith David (also a co-founder of BP) were on hand to emphasize the power of arts-in education to transform lives. Ms.Tunie is set to direct the theater production. Renowned psychiatrist Dr. Henry McCurtis of Columbia University Center of Psychoanalytic Training described the concept of projective identification, as the core of conflict and prejudice in our society. He explained how storytelling is a powerful method to open the door to dialogue between opposing parties. He will be a consultant throughout the development of COPP.
The highlight of the evening was the dramatic performances by professional actors portraying the telling real-life stories of several officers and community members based on personal interviews. Blackberry Productions and NPT combined their years of experience in theater to address one of the most critical issues facing us today--the relationship between police officers and the communities they serve, particularly our young and marginalized citizens.
BP and NPT joined forces to demonstrate what purposeful a role theater and the arts play in uniting disparate groups living and working in one community. Through our uniquely designed theater workshops, NYPD officers will interact with youth between the ages of 17-25 to discover commonalities and negotiate conflicts in a safe and creative space.
As we assemble this project beyond our two-year engagement funding, COPP plans to help in the development of educational materials for schools and community-based organizations. Our model can be readily replicated in other communities where tensions and unsettling issues are impacting the quality of life for residents. Community Outreach is a COPP priority in laying a foundation for ALL neighborhoods and cultures to thrive, where awareness replaces ignorance and effective communication dynamics are the chosen methods for meaningful change and reconciliation rather than anger and violence.
Creative expression is a necessary tool to offer a platform of communication and an environment of healing in troubled areas--BP has always been dedicated to this goal and remains in aggressive pursuit of structuring such a means of self-expression to effectively exchange ideas and information.
Special guests, Tamara Tunie (of ‘Law and Order, SVU’) and Emmy award-winning voice actor, Keith David (also a co-founder of BP) were on hand to emphasize the power of arts-in education to transform lives. Ms.Tunie is set to direct the theater production. Renowned psychiatrist Dr. Henry McCurtis of Columbia University Center of Psychoanalytic Training described the concept of projective identification, as the core of conflict and prejudice in our society. He explained how storytelling is a powerful method to open the door to dialogue between opposing parties. He will be a consultant throughout the development of COPP.
The highlight of the evening was the dramatic performances by professional actors portraying the telling real-life stories of several officers and community members based on personal interviews. Blackberry Productions and NPT combined their years of experience in theater to address one of the most critical issues facing us today--the relationship between police officers and the communities they serve, particularly our young and marginalized citizens.
BP and NPT joined forces to demonstrate what purposeful a role theater and the arts play in uniting disparate groups living and working in one community. Through our uniquely designed theater workshops, NYPD officers will interact with youth between the ages of 17-25 to discover commonalities and negotiate conflicts in a safe and creative space.
As we assemble this project beyond our two-year engagement funding, COPP plans to help in the development of educational materials for schools and community-based organizations. Our model can be readily replicated in other communities where tensions and unsettling issues are impacting the quality of life for residents. Community Outreach is a COPP priority in laying a foundation for ALL neighborhoods and cultures to thrive, where awareness replaces ignorance and effective communication dynamics are the chosen methods for meaningful change and reconciliation rather than anger and violence.
Creative expression is a necessary tool to offer a platform of communication and an environment of healing in troubled areas--BP has always been dedicated to this goal and remains in aggressive pursuit of structuring such a means of self-expression to effectively exchange ideas and information.
WORKSHOPS THIS PAST SUMMER
In response to calls for greater accountability for law enforcement reforms, Blackberry Productions and New Professional Theatre Companies launched the COPP (Commonalities & Opposites in Partnership for Peace) initiative, a three-level intervention including a series of workshops between NYPD police officers and young adult community members.
Designed by arts-in-education and community health educators, and police, BP conducted six interactive workshops during July and August in West Harlem. With the support of the acting director of Broadway Houses, Charlene Melville, the three-hour workshops, took place in the Gallery of the Sugar Hill Children’s Storytelling Museum. In observance of pandemic protocols, workshops included no more than 20 participants: including 8 to 10 officers and 8 to 10 young adults. During the workshops, among issues we explored included interpersonal communication, power dynamics and unconscious bias.
Designed by arts-in-education and community health educators, and police, BP conducted six interactive workshops during July and August in West Harlem. With the support of the acting director of Broadway Houses, Charlene Melville, the three-hour workshops, took place in the Gallery of the Sugar Hill Children’s Storytelling Museum. In observance of pandemic protocols, workshops included no more than 20 participants: including 8 to 10 officers and 8 to 10 young adults. During the workshops, among issues we explored included interpersonal communication, power dynamics and unconscious bias.
SHOUT IT OUT!
How do you see relations between the community
and the police changing over the next few years?
How do you think the relationship between the police and community members can be strengthened?
Contribute below or email us at blackberrytproductions@gmail.com.
Feel free to respond and add a photo that compliments your anecdote. Please note that a name
and email address will be required before you can post your comment below.
and the police changing over the next few years?
How do you think the relationship between the police and community members can be strengthened?
Contribute below or email us at blackberrytproductions@gmail.com.
Feel free to respond and add a photo that compliments your anecdote. Please note that a name
and email address will be required before you can post your comment below.
Check back soon for updates.
Photos by Michael J. Palma | Mpataapo graphic courtesy of adinkrasymbols.org