Pause & Effect: Transformative Theater for Our Community Members Experiencing Incarceration
Verge Theater’s former Education Director, Danielle Sather, launched our community outreach program, Pause & Effect, in 2020. This program serves individuals experiencing incarceration at the Gallatin County Detention Center (GCDC) by offering in-person, evidence-based theater classes. In 2023, Verge expanded its reach, serving over 100 participants and increasing the number of weekly classes from two to three. Thanks to a recently secured grant, we are now able to offer classes in both Spanish and English.
Our curriculum is designed to help participants build communication and teamwork skills, foster empathy and laughter, boost self-confidence, and provide a creative outlet for processing emotions and trauma through writing and performance.
Since the program's inception, GCDC has seen a 2% drop in recidivism.
Pause & Effect thrives thanks to grant funding, corporate partnerships, and individual donations. Contributions from community members like you help sustain and grow the program. Donations will help fund:
Art supplies
An additional experienced, bilingual theater arts teacher
Data collection and collaboration between organizations supporting incarcerated individuals