We are a collaborative of artists, teachers and philanthropists whose mission is:
to celebrate human potential and the human connection to Earth.
We do this through performances, workshops, and partnerships with other organizations.
Our celebratory work is vital in today's divisive world.
We, The Board of Veronica Institute,
extend our sincere appreciation for your support.
Your tax-deductible donations
further the on-going work of our organization.
Thank you.
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FUNDRAISING EVENTS
info@theatrefortheearth.org for details |
Here, we present Ourselves! The wonderful circle that is
Veronica Institute:
Nancy graduated from Vassar College in 1957, and ran the Music and Theatre Department at The Pingree School in Massachusetts from 1961 to 1981. She sang with the Portland Choral Arts for 8 years. Nancy founded "The Miracles", an on-going circle of women, and was a founding member of the Genesis Fund for which she served ten years. Presently, she is on the Board of the Daponte String Quartet. Remarkably, Nancy, for fifty years and continuing, is "Mother-to-Thousands" in her role (with her husband) as former Director of Camp Kieve for Boys in Damariscotta, Maine. For over twenty years, Nancy has also sponsored workshops at Camp Kieve on Women's topics. She is a lay reader at St. Andrew's Church, Newcastle, Maine, and serves on the Linbergh Earthshine Board.
Mary, former performer, now coach studied dance in New York City, and received her degree in Dance Education from N.Y.U. For 20 years, she studied at the Martha Graham Studio working with Graham, Doris Humphrey, Jose Limon, and Lois Silk. She has taught for 40 years in colleges and studios. Currently, she teaches with the People to People Dance Center, and the Bath Dance Works in Maine. Mary created the part of the grandmother. She has been a beloved performer and mentor for Theatre for the Earth for nine years. Now, at age 82, she coaches the company and serves on the Board of Veronica Institute.
As a native of Ireland, Ann Quinlan carries in her soul a rich heritage that includes the mystical world of Celtic Mythology, the romance of folklore, love of land, a natural wit and a readiness for a good story. Ann has a deep knowing of the arts, and is committed to the creative process. A gifted improvisational pianist, Ann’s life has always been filled with music. She is constantly open to the wisdom streams of the world and has a deep sensitivity to the needs and the enrichment of humanity. As a devoted advocate of elders, Ann’s creative and engaging workshop, "Aging Romantically" offers fun and refreshing perspectives on celebrating the aging process, for all. A lifelong birder, Ann is committed to the preservation of wilderness and open space, and delights in designing and leading small group journeys, on the land, in her native Ireland. Ann is a Reiki Master, a mother, grandmother, and committed humanitarian.
In 1992, Frederica was invited to Brazil, to the World Conference on Environment and Development. She performed stories of Nature and the Goddess and launched her career as a champion of Nature, of the feminine principle. In 1993, prompted by another invitation to perform at the Parliament of the World's Religions, in Chicago, Frederica formed “Theatre for the Earth”. She wrote and produced the archetypal story of a girl entering womanhood in the context and embrace of the Natural world. “She Greened the Land”, presented over nine years in venues in Ireland, Wales and across the US is now both a play and an enchanting book of the same title (see Products). Her passion for offering mentorship to girls inspired her to write “A Girl’s Gateway to Womanhood: A Rite of Passage Guidebook For Girls, Mothers and Mentors” (see Products). Currently, Frederica lives in Portland, Maine, and tours with Theatre for the Earth.
A native Mainer of French-Canadian descent, Michael has performed as a storyteller, actor, and singer, in both English and French, throughout the United States, and beyond, since 1977. He has been featured at many events, including the National Storytelling Festival in Jonesborough, Tennessee ('81, '89, '98, '02), the International Storytelling Colloquium in Paris ('89), the Glistening Waters Festival in New Zealand ('98), the Sperrins Autumn Storytelling Festival in Northern Ireland and the Scealta Shamhna Festival in Dublin ('02), as well as the Multi-Cultural Storytelling Festival in Eugene, Oregon ('04).
In addition to his performances for a wide range of audiences, including schools, libraries, theaters, and festivals, Michael also leads storytelling, story-writing, and performance workshops.
After living in Virginia for many years, where he was a co-founder of, and frequent performer at Live Arts, a thriving alternative theater in Charlottesville, Michael returned to his home state of Maine in July, 1998, and now lives in Portland. He received the National Storytelling Network's "Circle of Excellence" Award in 1999, and was a keynote speaker at the 2001 National Storytelling Conference in Providence, R.I., and at the 2005 Sharing the Fire storytelling conference in Cambridge, Mass. Michael's solo work can be seen at www.michaelparent.com. See Books and Products for Michael's book, Of Kings and Fools.
Erin grew up in a mountainous region of rural New Hampshire. She studied international relations, psychology, and pottery at the American University in Washington, D.C. After moving to Maine in 1996, Erin began working in special education. She received her Masters in Science and Special Education in 2003
Today, Erin is a potter, teacher, Reiki Master and intuitive. She both creates and heals through her hands. An artist all of her life, Erin has used her understanding of creativity to help with her personal healing journey. Erin's dishes, mugs, and bowls are as practical and lasting as they are true works of art (see store). She has been working with clay for over 13 years and currently collaborates with 3 other artists in their business Spiral Tree Designs.
Erin is a certified Spiritual Response Therapist, a Reiki II practitioner and a channel. She has been working in the healing arts field for over four years, both privately and in the hospital setting at Maine Medical Center.
Áine was born and raised in Pennsylvania, has made her life in Maine since 1974. She has traveled throughout Europe and the United States, visiting sacred sites, to learn about ancient cultures and traditional healing arts. Her early professional training includes an RN from the University of Pennsylvania. Upon moving to Maine, Áine worked with children in a mental health facility and in high-risk daycare. She volunteered with Hospice clients in a home setting.
A lifelong amateur artist and student of Feng Shui, she has particular strengths in interior design, color selection, and coordination which she uses to create healthy, balanced environments.
Blake Wood has been a lecturer in Screenwriting and Film Studies at Franklin Pierce College in Rindge, NH for ten years. She is a Producing Fellow of AFI (American Film Institute in Los Angeles) and owns Blakewood Productions, a video production company, in Dublin, NH. She has also been an Astrological Consultant since 1999 and is currently doing advanced studies at The Center for Psychological Astrology in London with Jungian analyst/astrologer Liz Greene. Blake sees the connection between her two fields of study as the soul-moving healing power of storytelling. ?Both the cinema and the astrological blueprint engage us in a journey of dramatic evolution. When we enter each world, we are given an opportunity to see the dance between reality and illusion and another piece of the puzzle of whom we might be. Consciously creating our own characters in this storytelling process, allows us a more objective tool with which to identify motivations that help us reach the climax and resolution of our personal individuation process.? To reach Blake by e-mail click here.
Officers:
Ann Quinlan, President
Dana Clark, Treasurer
Áine Pezzuti, Recording Secretary
Frederica Chapman, Artistic Director