135: Jerry Stropnicky: Story, Civic Empathy, & Social Change

What happens when a theater director steps into a struggling town and ignites transformation through the power of shared stories?In a world where communities face trauma, disconnection, and invisibility, this episode explores how the ancient impulse to gather and perform stories can foster healing, agency, and real-world change. If you’ve ever wondered how art can truly make a difference, this conversation reveals what it takes. In this episode we:Learn how ensemble-based, community-driven theater projects have tackled crises like the opioid epidemic and flood response with lasting impact.Hear firsthand how storymaking catalyzes civic empathy and even reshapes local policy, as told by someone who’s witnessed communities reclaim power through their own narratives.Discover the 7 principles that guide ethical, effective, and deeply human community arts practice—from agency to accessibility.Press play to experience how Jerry Stropnicky uses theater as a tool for justice, healing, and democracy—and be inspired to see your own community through a new lens.Notable Mentions:Here’s a comprehensive list of all people, events, organizations, and publications mentioned in your podcast transcript, each with clickable hyperlinks and a contextual description:👥 PeopleJerry Stropnicky Director, actor, and founding member of the Bloomsburg Theatre Ensemble in rural Pennsylvania  Jo Carson: American playwright, storyteller, and collaborator with Stropnicky; known for works like Stories I Ain’t Told Nobody Yet ()John Malkovich: Famous actor and Stropnicky’s college friend at Northwestern, sharing tales of selling office supplies togetherPeter Brook: Legendary theater director Stropnicky observed in Paris at the International Centre for Theatre Research ()Alvina Krause: Renowned acting teacher in Bloomsburg and inspirational founder of the Bloomsburg Theatre Ensemble ()Bill Rauch: He was named the inaugural artistic director of the Ronald O. Perelman Performing Arts Center (PACNYC) at the World Trade Center in 2018.[1]Previously, Rauch served as the fifth artistic director of the Oregon Shakespeare Festival (OSF), Rauch is also the founder of the Cornerstone Theater Company, Lori Woolery (Associate Director, Public Works) Leading figure in the Public Theater’s “Public Works” community-driven initiative in New York City ()Bruce Springsteen: Iconic musician who generously granted permission for the song “The River” to be used in Touchstone Theater's community-based play Steel Bound, and supported the production of Susie Tanner's play Lady Beth.John Landau: Springsteen’s manager who handled the licensing of “The River” via faxSusie Tanner: Director in Long Beach working on a similar steelworkers’ play—won Bruce Springsteen’s supportHarry Boyte: Civic democracy advocate who emphasizes that practicing democracy is an active, embodied practice. 📅 Events & PerformancesBloomsburg Theatre Ensemble Tours in Sub-Saharan Africa (c. 1990–91): Performance tour sponsored by the U.S. State Department through Zambia, Zimbabwe, Kenya, Botswana, Namibia—spurred Stropnicky’s pivot to storytelling theaterHarlan County, Kentucky Higher Ground Opioid Crises Response project: Community-based theater tackling America’s opioid crisis, credited with contributing to social changeTouchstone’s Theatre's “Steel Bound” & “Prometheus Redux”: Plays reflecting economic and social change in Bethlehem, PA’s steel community🏛️ Organizations, Foundations & AgenciesBloomsburg Theatre Ensemble (BTE): Rural Pennsylvania-based ensemble theater that Stropnicky co-founded, specializing in devised, community-rooted work  Ford Foundation: Major philanthropic organization that provided funding for Stropnicky’s African collaborators ()USAID: U.S. international development agency which funded theater-for-development HIV/AIDS plays in Africa. Recently defunded by the Trump administration. International Centre for Theatre Research: Peter Brook’s influential company in Paris, where Stropnicky studiedTouchstone Theatre (Bethlehem, PA): Venue where Stropnicky worked on “Steel Bound” and later “Prometheus Redux”Public Theater (New York, NY): Home of Public Works—led by Lori Woolery, blending professional actors and community membersSwamp Gravy (Colquitt, GA): A pioneering community-driven “folk-life play” with widespread influence ()📚 Publications & Theoretical FrameworksJo Carson’s Spider Speculations: Explores neuroscience and storytelling, especially the physiological/social power of narrativeAugusto Boal’s Theatre of the Oppressed: Latin American methodology (Boal-inspired) influencing Theatre for Development work in AfricaStropnicky’s “Seven A’s” framework: Agency, Authenticity, Artistry, Accuracy, Audacity, Audience, Accessibility: Seven guiding principles for designing community-centered theaterBruce Springsteen’s The River: Culturally significant song integrated into community performances (with recorded permission)Letters to the Editor Play: Script devised from 200 years of local newspaper letters; helped catalyze sustained community theater interest“Under African Skies”: Educational play developed into a school tour thanks to Ford Foundation and Bloomsburg ensemble*****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...