By Kate Peters, Moderator, Co-chair Inland Empire Braver Angels Alliance
Prologue
The family reunion did not take long to devolve into insults and accusations. In less than ten minutes, we were divided into our political preferences and enacting a partisan tug-of-war—literally, for this was no ordinary family gathering. It was theater—a remarkable application of the Braver Angels’ approach to depolarization.
Invitation and Initiation
After meeting at the 2023 convention, Mark Metzger of Braver Angels and Andrew Garrett of New York Theatre Workshop (NYTW) were excited to explore how storytelling and theater might bring us together amidst these challenging and polarizing times, using the arts to fortify the Braver Angels mission “to bridge the partisan divide.” Andrew worked with Alex Santiago-Jirau, director of an innovative NYTW program called “Mind the Gap,” and together the three brought this multi-generational program to the 2024 Braver Angels convention. They were assisted by Mae Rum and Brent Morden.
Upon hearing about this opportunity, I was immediately drawn to the chance to work with NYTW, an organization behind acclaimed Broadway productions such as “Hadestown,” “Rent,” and “What the Constitution Means to Me.” People auditioned and were accepted into this project, not fully knowing what the process or the outcome would be. We emerged as a diverse group of curious individuals with varying backgrounds and political affiliations, ages 14-92. The final cast included therapists, musicians, engineers, students, retired military personnel, and educators; only a few of us had any prior theatrical experience.
Coming Together
During the first day of the program, we engaged in activities to get to know each other and break down the barriers created by our divergent political leanings. Improvisational theater games provided us with a safe space to see beyond the labels we brought with us. By immersing ourselves in theater, we were not only having fun, but also developing the skills to create a shelter within which to connect and support each other, despite our differences.
The next step in our collaborative journey involved interviewing each other, using the material gathered to inspire short theatrical pieces that would become moments in our show. The interviews delved into tough topics that mirrored pressing issues in political discussions across the country. We shared deeply personal experiences of feeling like outsiders, or making life and death decisions, and then came together to write poignant theatrical pieces that addressed issues such as immigration, free speech, economics, and abortion.
In the process of creating our pieces, we were continuously challenged to embrace our differences. We were forced to tackle tough questions and navigate through complex issues. Through these emotional exchanges, we discovered common ground even on the most controversial topics. Perhaps the shared purpose of creating a work of art kept us united and focused, or perhaps the motivating force was the requirement to be genuinely curious, to listen, and speak openly.
With the guidance of remarkable facilitators, the pieces we created were artfully intertwined to form a compelling and emotionally charged narrative entitled “The American Family Reunion,” which included most of the moments we wrote and, yes, even a tug of war!
The Bridge
As we stepped into the spotlight on the night of the performance, we were filled with a mix of nervousness and excitement. We had run through the entire show for the first time only hours before, and we were still adjusting to the technical aspects, such as microphone placement and lighting. However, united by a mutual vision and a newfound camaraderie, we delivered a show that showcased our hard, intense work and delivered a Braver Angels message.
As soon as we had spoken our final words, the enthusiastic applause and warmth from the audience confirmed the impact of our work. Our journey had been a lesson in building trust, showing respect, and prioritizing curiosity over opinions in our conversations. Theater is an excellent place to both learn and demonstrate that lesson.
Epilogue
The experience has stayed with us long past the convention. Some of us have bolstered a commitment to Braver Angels. Some of us have broadened our involvement by taking more workshops and becoming more involved as volunteers. All of us feel different, and some feel immeasurably changed.
At the end of the performance, many people on stage and off were in tears. In the final talkback with the audience, Kasper Rum, one of the actors, said, “More Mind the Gap for everyone!” When the audience learned about the process and how quickly it had come together, they probably agreed. As for us onstage, we all agreed with Kasper, too, because we knew what it had done for us; by the end of the Braver Angels convention, we were a family so close that we wanted to schedule a “ReZOOMion” as soon as possible. Moreover, we had restored faith in the belief that it is indeed possible to find light in the darkness of a polarized country and that making art together is a great way to do that.
To Learn More about Mind the Gap, please visit nytw.org/education/mind-the-gap/ or email Andrew Garrett (TheAndrewGarrett@gmail.com)
To learn more about how you can bring Mind the Gap to your Braver Angels community, please email Mark Metzger (Mark@BraverAngels.org)
