133: Can Arts Festivals, Community Theater & Cultural Organizers Save Democracy?

What happens when community theater, political leadership, and grassroots organizing collide? In today’s polarized climate, building authentic, inclusive community can feel impossible—especially across political, social, and cultural divides. But Kathie deNobriga has been doing exactly that for decades—as an artist, activist, and even as the mayor of a small Georgia town. Her story shows how creativity, collaboration, and a little humor can foster connection where we need it most.Hear how Kathie’s winding journey from political theater to small-town leadership taught her the power of listening, laughter, and shared purpose.Learn how grassroots festivals, community theater, and collaborative storytelling can become secret weapons for tolerance and social change.Discover why humility, mistakes, and the occasional unruly neighbor (or cow) are essential ingredients for building real, resilient communities.Tune in to hear how one artist-mayor is using creativity and conversation to rewrite the story of community—one gathering, one laugh, one story at a time.Notable Mentions👤 PeopleKathie deNobrigaTheater artist, cultural organizer, former mayor of Pine Lake, GA, and long-time member of Alternate ROOTS.Bill ClevelandHost of the Art is Change podcast and Director of the Center for the Study of Art and Community.Jo CarsonTheater collaborator and part of the early political theater collective referenced by deNobriga.Bob LeonardLongtime community-based theater artist and academic, mentioned as a long-term collaborator with Kathie.Ashley HazeA younger member of the Alternate ROOTS staff, representative of the intergenerational dialogue in the organization.Hannah ArendtPolitical theorist cited in the conversation for her insights on loneliness and totalitarianism.📅 EventsPine Lake October Arts FestivalAnnual local arts festival organized in Pine Lake, GA, coordinated by Kathie as a civic-arts initiative.Spoleto Festival USAPremier arts festival in Charleston, South Carolina that includes music, theater, and visual arts. Kathie attended and highlighted it for featuring Manual Cinema.🏛️ OrganizationsAlternate ROOTSA southern-based collective of artists and cultural organizers working at the intersection of art and activism. deNobriga is both a contributor and co-editor of their upcoming book.Manual CinemaChicago-based performance collective blending shadow puppetry, cinematic techniques, and live performance. Their show The Fourth Witch was praised by Kathie.The Center for the Study of Art and CommunityThe podcast’s parent organization founded by Bill Cleveland, promoting creative community leadership.The Road Company (assumed to be related to or inspired by this group)A political theater troupe in Johnson City, TN referenced in Kathie’s early work.Freesound.orgA collaborative database of Creative Commons-licensed sound effects, credited in the podcast’s production notes.📚 PublicationsThe Origins of Totalitarianism by Hannah ArendtLandmark political analysis on how loneliness and social atomization contribute to the rise of totalitarian regimes.(Upcoming) Alternate ROOTS 50th Anniversary BookA collective anthology currently in development, capturing the 50-year history of Alternate ROOTS. Scheduled for publication in 2026. Not yet available online.*****Art Is CHANGE is a podcast that chronicles the power of art and community transformation, providing a platform for activist artists to share their experiences and gain the skills and strategies they need to thrive as agents of social change.\Through compelling conversations with artist activists, artivists, and cultural organizers, the podcast explores how art and activism intersect to fuel cultural transformation and drive meaningful change. Guests discuss the challenges and triumphs of community arts, socially engaged art, and creative placemaking, offering insights into artist mentorship, building credibility, and communicating impact.Episodes delve into the realities of artist isolation, burnout, and funding for artists, while celebrating the role of artists in residence and creative leadership in shaping a more just and inclusive world. Whether you’re an emerging or established artist for social justice, this podcast offers inspiration, practical advice, and a sense of solidarity in the journey toward art and social change.