I was so excited about what we learned I immediately went home and facilitated a workshop with some friends. They loved it and it really got them thinking in a different way about some of their experiences, and it was so interesting to see that from a facilitators perspective. I love this! You made the process really enjoyable and easy to understand, so thank you so much and I look forward to bringing this to my research and my community!
—Jaine Danlag, grad student, Theatre of the Oppressed workshop participant
The Theatre of the Oppressed workshop facilitated by Finn Lefevre was the most impactful and empowering three hours I’ve spent. Activists, community organizers, teachers, students, human resource officers, and most citizens would derive significant benefits from Lefevre’s workshop.
—Rob Benford, professor, Theatre of the Oppressed workshop participant
Attending this workshop was a tremendous learning experience. Reading about Theater of the Oppressed and actually engaging in it are two very different things. To actively change a scenario and see it evolve in front of me in ways that I had not previously imagined made the power of this type of social justice endeavor salient. It is evident that Finn is very experienced in guiding spect-actors though this. Finn helped us take risks, be creative, share our thoughts and feelings, and created a space in which I felt safe. Thank you for a unique experience Finn!
—Nathalie Warren, grad student, Theatre of the Oppressed workshop participant
What I appreciate most about Finn's approach to educating young people about gender and sexuality is that they focus on community building. Within the 90 minutes allotted to them, Finn taught complex queer and feminist theory through accessible language, humor, and love, which helped build stronger bonds amongst cast members, crew, and administration. Finn's talent is undeniable as an artist activist educator extraordinaire. Their generosity and patience helped plant seeds of personal growth for the cast members of The Lily's Revenge. It's very clear how the cast members took to heart what they had learned from Finn.
—Gaven D. Trinidad, dramaturg, Queer and Trans 101 participant
I deeply appreciate Finn's approach to pedagogy and conversation around topics of gender and sexuality. During a recent workshop with my cast, Finn created a welcoming, interactive, and safe space for participants to ask questions and engage with terminology and ideas in an easeful and accessible manner. Finn demystified some complex concepts which had been previously anxiety-inducing and enlightened us all on ways to think about gender and sexuality, including personal reflections, thereby allowing participants to feel more comfortable in engaging in our creative work. Our entire team was deeply appreciative of Finn's guidance in understanding these important concepts. I can't recommend their facilitation work highly enough.
—Jen Onopa, director, Queer and Trans 101 workshop participant
I liked almost everything about taking the independent study with Professor Lefevre this spring
semester. They were very understanding and acknowledged that this is a difficult semester for
everyone. Throughout the course, I developed into a more confident person because of their
continuous support and encouragement. In the beginning of the semester, I was having a bit of
trouble finding articles to discuss for my final research paper. They not only helped me find
articles, but also provided additional information to help with my research. The feedback that
they have provided me throughout the course was extremely helpful. I advanced in my research
skills as well as my writing skills. I feel more confident in my writing capabilities because of this
class.
—Lea Saab, undergrad, Independent Study participant
My experience with Finn has been an incredible journey of artistic collaboration and an education in social justice. Finn has been the most collaborative and intuitive dramaturg I’ve ever worked with in the theater; they have such a delicate way of infusing their deep understanding of the text and it’s cultural context into the design conversation. Finn will quietly drop clues in my path during the design process in a way that feels organic, that allows me the freedom as a sound designer to pick up the trail and bring these deeper ideas about a text to life in my sonic work. The interactions never feel instructive or academic, but are rather a dialog between my work in progress and the potential Finn can see in it. They are skilled in gently guiding my focus towards more and more effective ways for me to infuse clarity and context into the sonic world of a play.
In addition to this incredibly respectful and bolstering artistic relationship, Finn has opened my eyes to the intersection of oppression and social justice. Again, in their warm and transparent manner, Finn is able to shift focus onto formerly invisible forces at work in the world (and in a text). They have helped me learn to notice where the world is unjust, and where I have agency to be a force for inclusion and respect. In a world quickly evolving, and one that frequently feels like an onslaught of accusations, Finn’s social justice work is about inviting us all to be a part of a self-aware culture, to sensitize ourselves to new ideas, and to find our way to being constructive agents for change. Finn’s gift is the ability to open doors and invite people to walk through them; this manner, and this constancy of message, has transformed my own sense of my social positioning, my responsibilities, and my growth areas. Finn gives people in their workshops, and in one-on-one conversations, actionable tools to use as we navigate a complex world of micro aggressions and strong emotions. In fact, I have advocated for Finn to come in to work with organizations I’m a part of in order to help with educating my industry and my peers as well.
—Amy Altadonna, professor of Sound Design