NEWS RELEASE
MOTUS THEATER
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Motus Theater, a pioneer in using the arts to fuel community conversations on critical social issues, is thrilled to announce it has been honored by the Scientific and Cultural Facilities District (SCFD) with the 2024 Rex Morgan Award for Innovative Partnerships and Regional Cooperation.
This distinguished award recognizes Motus Theater’s exceptional efforts in fostering groundbreaking collaborations across the Denver metro region. "We are deeply honored to receive SCFD’s Rex Morgan Award," said Kirsten Wilson, Founder & Artistic Executive Director of Motus Theater. "It is a recognition of our commitment to using art and performance to bridge divides and address some of the most pressing issues of our time through creative, innovative and collaborative means."
The Rex Morgan Award celebrates those who demonstrate innovative thinking and an unwavering spirit of collaboration in arts, culture, and science. Motus Theater is best known in Colorado for developing autobiographical monologues with people who are often the target of dehumanizing rhetoric used to justify aggressive policies, for example undocumented leaders (“UndocuAmerica” performances), transgender and nonbinary leaders (“TRANSformative Stories” performances), and formerly incarcerated leaders (“JustUs” performances).
Motus is celebrated both regionally and nationally for its strategic performances in which they ask law enforcement, district attorneys, and legislators to stand in the shoes of Motus monologists by co-reading their stories on stage.
Motus began this innovative collaborative arts model in 2017 with “Law Enforcement Leaders Read Dreamer Stories,” when they asked five police chiefs, a sheriff and a district attorney to stand on stage and read the monologues of people with Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA). This unprecedented performance was featured in American Theater Magazine, USA Today, NPR & more. 16,000+ watched the performance live or online.
Former Sheriff Pelle said about his experience reading the story of a DACA recipient: “standing beside these young people, and reading their stories was moving for all of us, and powerful for the audience… Barriers were broken down, relationships formed, and mutual respect established. Relationship building like this, using this format, could probably solve a lot of various issues in many communities across this country!”
Motus’ recent collaboration with Colorado’s first transgender legislator Representative Brianna Titone (HD27), and 13 Colorado Senators and Representatives, brought Motus’ “TRANSformative Stories” to the Colorado Capitol Complex in honor of 2024 Transgender Day of Visibility. After the performance, Motus was officially recognized in the State House Chamber.
Rep. Brianna Titone said this about Motus Theater’s “TRANSformative Stories” performance: “there’s a lot of people who have been consuming bad information, misinformation, and tropes, not the human narratives that 'TRANSformative Stories' puts on stage. These are the kinds of personal stories that people need to hear and need to see."
After the State House event, Rep. Junie Joseph wrote, “Motus, known for their pioneering work in sparking dialogue on critical social issues through original theater productions, left an indelible mark on us. . . By amplifying marginalized voices and challenging perspectives, Motus is reshaping narratives and inspiring action.”
Since 2017, Motus has had over 150 leaders co-read the stories of Motus monologists, including 14 District Attorneys, nine Colorado State House legislators, and three federal representatives. Motus Theater’s theatrical work is credited with inspiring shifts in Colorado laws, as well as local Boulder County policies.
On June 15th, Motus will continue this collaborative legacy with Boulder County Sheriff Curtis Johnson and District Attorney Michael Dougherty co-reading stories during a Motus’ “Women of Resolution” performance in honor of Immigrant Heritage Month. “Women of Resolution” weaves the stories of four Colorado women — Ingrid Encalada Latorre, Sandra Lopez, Rosa Sabido, and Araceli Velasquez — who took sanctuary to prevent the separation of their families through deportation.
"By leveraging the transformative potential of art, we have witnessed the profound impact of inclusive narratives & stories that serve as a scaffold for essential societal functions such as policing, healthcare, and education, thereby influencing the material realities of people who have been demonized as the ‘other’." Wilson continued. "This award from the SCFD is a testament to the power of partnership and the potential of the arts to transform society."
The award will be presented at the SCFD’s 2024 Block Party & Awards on June 5th, an event that gathers the community to celebrate achievements in the arts, science, and culture across the region.
Motus Theater would like to express its heartfelt gratitude to the SCFD for this honor, and to all the patrons, supporters, and community members who engage with and support our mission. We look forward to continuing to make impactful art that goes beyond entertainment to educate and inspire.
For more information about Motus Theater and our upcoming projects and performances, please visit our website at www.motustheater.org or contact Motus Theater’s Dir. or Communications Cristian Solano-Cordova: [email protected]; (720) 434-4632.
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