Local Arts Programs Give Voice to Underserved Communities

If you’d asked artist and writer Bandy a few years ago about the idea of sharing a deeply personal poem in front of an audience, they would have said it was impossible. But that was before they joined the Poverty and the Arts (POVA) Artist Collective in April.

“I never could have imagined having this kind of opportunity before,” says Bandy, who primarily works in watercolor and acrylics, but also enjoys writing and music. Bandy, who goes by just one name, is nonbinary and uses the pronoun “they.” “Finding POVA was so important for me. It’s opened up so many ideas and opportunities for collaboration. Having this wonderful community built around creative people gives me hope. It gives me the opportunity to speak my truth.”

In fact, Bandy will present a poem called “Speak” at INFAMI: An Evening of Spoken Word on Dec. 8. Billed as a “multiple-media project founded in poetry,” the event is presented by 21c Museum Hotel in partnership with the Metro Arts Commission, The Free Nashville Poetry Library and POVA. INFAMI will explore themes — including love, ancestry, brotherhood and visibility — through spoken word, dance and visual arts. The ensemble includes artists from various backgrounds, including those who have been affected by homelessness. 

“This is an idea I came up with last year,” says Cameron Mitchell, a spoken-word artist and actor who teaches poetry through arts nonprofit Southern Word. “I wanted to create a space where poets could reflect on a specific topic or issue that impacts our community. I feel like art is a great way to bring people to the table to talk about what’s happening — to look at what it means to struggle or to feel invisible.”

That’s a theme with which Bandy connected.

“I experienced homelessness many years ago in New York City, and I’ve dealt with a lot of mental health issues,” says Bandy. “That’s the reason I’m so vocal about it. My poem is very personal. It’s me verbalizing my own perspective. But it’s also universal. I think anyone who’s ever felt marginalized or actively silenced can relate.” 

Empowerment is also a driving force for Backlight Productions, a nonprofit theater arts organization for adults with special needs in Franklin. Partnering with professional artists and theater companies, Backlight offers a variety of classes and produces shows that allow its participants to shine.

“Back in 2011, I was working at Our Thrift Store, a Franklin business that employs people with disabilities,” explains Melissa Smith, Backlight’s executive director. “My background is in musical theater, but I absolutely fell in love with the people at the store. My manager asked if I’d ever considered combining those passions, and so we decided to put on a show. I wrote a script based on a fairy tale. We pulled costumes and props from the store and rehearsed upstairs. We did a performance at a local church in front of maybe 40 people. And by the end of it, everyone was in tears — it was amazing.”

Today Backlight serves a community of about 50 students, ages 18 to 60, and has partnered with Studio Tenn, Nashville Shakespeare Festival and Nashville Repertory Theatre.

“Our largest program allows students to work over the course of eight months to produce a full Broadway musical,” Smith says. “All roles are tailored to fit each student’s abilities. For some, just the act of getting onstage is a huge deal. For others, it’s all about learning lines or a new song or dance. And because they can’t age out of our program, we can create individual goals — and uncover new abilities — from year to year.” 

Backlight Productions has been life-changing for sisters Christie and Jackie Thompson of Franklin. “I really like to act and be with my friends,” says Christie, age 35. “I like the opportunity to be onstage and perform in a safe environment, where people don’t judge me for my disabilities.” Christie wrote an original script, A Dream Come True in New York City, which Backlight turned into a short film — holding a red carpet premiere in 2016 at The Franklin Theatre.

Jackie, 32, also has special memories of playing Juliet in Romeo and Juliet. “I loved it because it gave me the opportunity to be onstage and to challenge myself with the lines and language,” says Jackie. “I also love dance. It’s so pretty and elegant. I like to be onstage because it challenges me to do my best and achieve more.”

That’s also the goal for students involved with Street Theatre Company’s Being Human program. Established as a social-outreach project in 2012, Being Human is currently presented in partnership with Conexión Américas as part of its Nashville After Zone Alliance after-school program for middle school students. 

“With all of our programs, we’re looking to build a welcoming community and give our students a sense of belonging,” says Lory Rivera, after-school program coordinator for Conexión Américas. “With English Language Learners, they spend so much time just struggling to be understood. Many of these students are recent arrivals, so it’s important for them to develop community. Art is a great way for them to express themselves, and to free their minds to create and learn new things.”

Andy Kanies, a Nashville actor and teaching artist with Being Human, agrees. “It’s less about the expectation of learning lines or doing a great show. It’s about giving these kids the space to connect and find their own voices.” Kanies is working with ELL students at Wright Middle School to put together an original script, which will be presented on Dec. 10. “It’s about providing a safe environment, so they can open up and take risks — and theater is perfect for that. 

“At the end of each class,” Kaines continues, “I ask the students what they’ve learned and how they’re feeling. One of my fifth-graders, who is very shy and still pretty new to the English language, whispered … that she felt she could finally just relax and have fun. That’s why I do this — that’s what theater is all about.”