The Abre Tu Boca Open Stage
The Open Stage is the final arena in the project for speaking up, speaking out, and speaking loud. Here, you can express in any way you want, by reading personal works of writing from an Abre Tu Boca circle; by reading a literary excerpt that inspires you; through recitation, rap, song, spoken word, diatribe, monologue, stand-up, spontaneous storytelling – either in your own language or in a language you are stretching to learn to speak.
The idea is that we train on bigger and bigger stages so that, ultimately, the world, itself, becomes the safe space for the inner voice to express freely.
Performers Speak
It really isn’t a stage without an audience. This means the Open Stage is also the largest space in the project for listening. As an audience member, you are instructed: “Active listening is your participation. Please give each person on stage the gift of your full attention.”
But really, Open Stage is the opportunity to move from active listening to conscious listening — being aware of how your presence affects the space. You are asked to arrive on time to be seated and settled by the stage opening, and to be sure you are prepared to sit quietly and to create a quiet space around you. Beyond turning off cell phones, you’re asked to think of what else this means for you. Maybe you need to eat first. (We do have offer snacks and drinks, thoughtfully.) Certainly it means bringing no distractions. (No dogs.) It definitely means thinking about all of this. It means being mindful.