BALTIMORE, MD. July 25, 2025 – Everyman Theatre is proud to announce a groundbreaking partnership with Nexus-Woodbourne Family Healing, a 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to strengthening the emotional, mental, and behavioral health of Baltimore youth. This new opportunity offers youth receiving care at Nexus’ historic Baltimore campus the chance to provide a creative and therapeutic outlet. Everyman’s “My Story, Well Told” workshop fosters participants to craft original monologues and scenes based on personal experiences. This work is not only a tool for healing and confidence building but strives to create empathy by seeing ourselves in the stories of others. 

“It was my first time doing anything like this, and I jumped right in. I learned how to speak more clearly, project my voice, and bring energy into everything I say,” remarked student Darius P. When the performance was over, I was like, ‘Wow, I really just did that, that’s crazy.’ I’m proud of myself. If you get the chance to do something like this, you should try it. It might be a once-in-a-lifetime experience.”   

Through this innovative initiative, youth experience a transformative weeklong workshop with Nexus-Woodbourne staff, Everyman’s Director of Education, Joseph W. Ritsch, Everyman Resident Company Member and teaching artist Megan Anderson, and teaching artist Tarshai Peterson. Throughout the workshop students engaged in ensemble building exploration, writing prompt exercises to unlock their personal writing skills, and several acting exercises to strengthen areas of voice, movement, and vulnerability onstage. 

“From a therapeutic standpoint, this program was incredibly beneficial for the clients and their healing journey!” states Samantha Cornelius, Nexus-Woodbourne Mental Health Therapist. 

Culminating a transformative workshop experience, youth at Nexus-Woodbourne Family Healing delivered an emotional performance attended by Nexus-Woodbourne staff, board members, and representatives from Everyman Theatre 

This performance highlighted the students’ courage, creativity, and emotional depth, leaving an impression on the audience. Attendees praised the authenticity and confidence the students brought to the stage, accentuating the impact of the program in fostering healing through the arts. “Our campus is still abuzz from this amazing event! I am really looking forward to expanding our partnership!”, remarked Bryon Fracchia, Nexus-Woodbourne Executive Director. 

Everyman Theatre’s professional training program provides theatre artists with rigorous training that engages deeply with craft and process. Our classes are taught by Everyman resident company members and staff as well as local professional theatre artists who engage students to unlock their imagination and cultivate skills. Everyman is committed to expanding the hearts and minds of our students through the amplification of empathy by seeing ourselves in the stories of others through the art created in the classroom, and beyond. To learn more about this program and other ways to engage beyond the stage, visit HERE  

About Everyman Theatre: 

Everyman Theatre is a professional Equity Theatre company in Baltimore’s Bromo Arts District. Founded in 1990 by Vincent M. Lancisi, Everyman centers its storytelling with a Resident Company of artists to carry out its mission of offering transformative, accessible theatre experiences. Led by Lancisi and Managing Director Marissa LaRose, Everyman Theatre invests in its community, believing that theatre is at its best when it’s “Built in Baltimore.” With the support of its partners, Everyman uses local vendors and local artisans to build every season, from the sets to the costumes, here in the city. Each season, the theatre employs over 150 full and part-time staff, actors, designers, and teaching artists to bring its programming to the people of Baltimore and the surrounding counties.  

About Nexus-Woodbourne Family Healing: 

Nexus-Woodbourne Family Healing provides Baltimore youth with emotional, mental and behavioral support, giving them the tools and skills to move forward. It is part of Nexus Family Healing, a national nonprofit, 501(C)(3) organization, headquartered in Plymouth, Minnesota, serving thousands of families and youth each year. They provide community mental health services, crisis and stabilization services, foster care and adoption services, and residential treatment programs across five states, and create a customized plan for each child and family, helping to heal trauma, break cycles of harm, and restore hope when they need it most. To learn more visit HERE.