Self-Healing and Social Justice Art Collective

Spring 2023 Variety Show

Wednesday April 12, 2023; 12-2 PM

Performances at 12:15 PM and 1:15 PM;

McGregor Commons, U-M School of Social Work, 1080 South University

Dr. Rogério M. Pinto, Emcee

“Ananta, the Infinite,” choreographed and performed by Sreyashi Dey; music: Sandipan Ganguly

“Fail better. (The Sick System),” written by Gwynneth VanLaven; performed by Gwynneth VanLaven, Sarah Hebert-Johnson, and L Tantay

“Washing in Comfort,” choreography by Heidi Schmitz; dancers, Heidi Schmitz and Sophia Schwartz; music, Mannheim Steamroller, “Interlude V”

“sorry I missed you,” edited and arranged by Lisa Michaels (ongoing)

“(photo) Voices Healing (from oppression),” created by Midori Samson; voices: Sreyashi Dey, Lisa Michaels, David Pratt, Sophia Schwartz, L Tantay, Gwynneth VanLaven

“Pity! Party?!” conceived and created by Gwynneth VanLaven; convened by the Self-Healing and Social Justice Art Collective (Guidelines: 1. One lamenter at a time; 2. No pity too large or small; 3. No comparisons; your pity is pity; 4. Lists encouraged; sucky things pile up; 5. No "perspective giving”; woes suck, period; 6. No problem solving; this is the host's time to emote; 7. Parties are time limited. You'll know when it's time to go home.

Photovoice Exhibit

Sreyashi Dey, Sarah Hebert-Johnson, Emerson Granillo, David Pratt, Heidi Schmitz, Mack Schroeder, Sarah Shields, L Tantay, Gwynneth VanLaven, Betsy Williams

Special Thanks

Zihui Adams, Tomiko Gumbleton, Parker Kehrig, Janelle Rogers

Who’s Who

Sreyashi Dey (Choreographer and performer, “Ananta, the Infinite”; Photovoice) is an MSW student at the U-M School of Social Work, training as a psychotherapist. She is a classical Indian dancer in the Odissi style and in Bharatanatyam. She has performed in Europe, Asia and India. Her work interprets stories and characters through lenses of privilege, oppression and marginalization, and it has been acclaimed by the New York Times. She is the founder/artistic director of Akshara, an Ann Arbor-based organization that produces the annual Rasa Festival.

Emerson Granillo (Photovoice) is a multidisciplinary artist exploring shame, inequality, and tolerance as a first-generation immigrant and queer individual. They use various art forms to promote self-healing and nuanced understanding. Emerson gives back to his community by serving on boards and sees these activities as extensions of his work as an artist, and says, “Art has always given me a space to have a voice and it uses that voice to advocate for others.”

Sarah Hebert-Johnson (Performer, “Pity! Party?!” and “Fail Better.”; Photovoice) is a theatre maker, musician, educator, and social worker. She believes in the power of creative arts to dismantle barriers, connect across differences, and build equitable, sustainable communities. She is a facilitator of the methods of Augusto Boal and has designed and facilitated workshops in Chile, Brazil, Pakistan, India, Mozambique and the northeastern US. Sarah is currently pursuing her MSW at U-M, with a focus on arts and community change.

Lisa Michaels (Editor and arranger, “sorry I missed you”) is a current MSW student at the U-M School of Social Work in interpersonal practice. She has been a part of the professional theatre world for over a decade and loves exploring the intersection of the arts, social justice, and self-healing. Lisa has appeared with numerous theatre companies throughout North America and the UK, including Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre. Lisa is a graduate of the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland and a proud member of British Equity.

David Pratt (Photovoice) is a founding member of the Self-Healing and Social Justice Art Collective. He is a writer and performer.

Midori Samson, サムソンみどり(Creator, “(photo) Voices Healing (from oppression)”) is a MSW student, instructional assistant professor of bassoon at Illinois State University, and second bassoonist of the Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra. She studied music at the Juilliard School, University of Texas at Austin, and University of Wisconsin, Madison, where she completed her Doctor of Musical Arts degree with a minor in social welfare. Her dissertation explored how musicians can operationalize social work principles as anti-racist action in performance and pedagogy.

Heidi A. Schmitz (Choreographer and performer, “Washing in Comfort”; Photovoice) is a licensed clinical therapist at a local group private practice and is also a dancer and choreographer. She received her Masters of Social Work (MSW) from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor (2019) and her BA in Theatre (Dance Emphasis) and Dance from the University of Michigan-Flint (2004). She is trained in ballet, tap, jazz, and modern dance forms and danced the role of Grandmother in The Nutcracker with the Flint School of Performing Arts in 2010. 

Sophia Schwartz (Performer, “Washing in Comfort”) is a current student at Stamps School of Art and Design, graduating this April. She has completed a minor in Community Action and Social Change through the School of Social Work and has always been passionate about art’s potential to positively impact individuals and communities. She is specifically interested in making art accessible to all, using it for healing and expressing spiritual and environmental themes.

Mack Schroeder (Photovoice) is a dual Master of Social Work and Master of Public Policy student at the University of Michigan. He is passionate about using improv comedy as a tool for social change and has led workshops for the Art Collective as well as for U-M’s Prison Creative Arts Project. 

Sarah Shields (Photovoice) is an online MSW student on the Interpersonal Pathway. She integrates theory, intersectionality, and the arts with holistic healing, social justice, and sustainability. Sarah studied photography and design at the College for Creative Studies and holds an MA in English Language and Literature. She taught International and Documentary Cinema at Oakland University through a Feminist Disability Studies lens. She explores the intersection of gender and identity with trauma, solo motherhood, and survivorship of chronic illness and domestic violence.

L Tantay (Performer, “Pity! Party?!”; Photovoice) provides DEI technical assistance through L Tantay Consulting, Inc., working with organizations like the CDC, AMA, and Transgender Law Center. Formerly, they were the Acting Director of Race to Justice and were LGBTQ+ Liaison for the NYC Health Department. L is also an applied theatre artist and received their M.A. in Applied Theatre from CUNY in NYC. They are currently an MSW student at the U-M School of Social Work. Please visit ltantay.com.

Gwynneth VanLaven (Conceiver and creator, “Pity! Party?!”; Writer, “Fail Better.”; Photovoice) is an artist, activist and facilitator whose practice includes photography, installation, writing, performance, and social engagement. VanLaven holds an MFA, taught at the School of Art at George Mason University, and has shown nationally and globally, including at the Smithsonian Institution and Kennedy Center. A U-M MSW student, her commitment to growing art in social work practice includes exhibiting new work and facilitating InterPlay and DanceAbility, mindbody forms of self-inquiry, interaction, and inclusion. www.vanlaven.art 

Betsy Williams (Performer, “Fail Better.”; Photovoice) supports student writing at the U-M School of Social Work. Betsy holds degrees in History, German, American Culture, and an MFA in writing. She writes for young readers, and collaborates to plan programming for local writers through the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators. Betsy encourages writers to write using words that show the people instead of obscuring them, as one step towards social justice.

PLEASE JOIN US! For more information on the Self-Healing and Social Justice Art Collective, please contact Heidi Schmitz at hschmitz@umich.edu