Exposed Brick Theatre

$450 raised by 3 donors

9% complete

$5,000 Goal

STORYTELLING AS AN ACT OF RESISTANCE

Founded in 2004 by Aamera Siddiqui and Suzy Messerole, Exposed Brick Theatre is a Twin Cities based theater company. This past year, as we navigated the trauma and horrors of Metro Surge, we leaned into our foundation of using storytelling as a way to resist the occupation that was forced on us.

Storytelling as an Act of Resistance inspired our mission to tell untold stories and center omitted narratives 22 years ago. So many of us are taught directly or indirectly that our own histories, experiences and cultures are irrelevant and not worthy of the pages in our textbooks or the space on a stage. When we write our own stories we defy this message. Through storytelling we preserve our own histories, cultures and posterity, empowering future generations to thrive.

Storytelling allows us to own our own narratives which, in and of itself, is an act of resistance. Through telling our own stories we reject the names and labels appropriated to us. Labels designed to justify oppression and acts of violence. By taking back our narratives and having agency over our own stories, we combat the silencing and erasure from dominant narratives driven by supremacist beliefs.

Storytelling humanizes us all. It allows us to experience perspectives we have never considered. It eliminates fear of the other. Fear that is manufactured through media headlines that seek to divide us. A story can give us a crucial piece of missing information and knowledge that transforms our hearts and minds. Stories create empathy which is a powerful antidote to injustice.

Storytelling exposes injustice and truth. It allows for authentic understanding by eliminating labels designed to justify control and suppression.

Storytelling illuminates uncomfortable truths. It agitates and disrupts which is a necessity for positive change.

Storytelling empowers us to see our own stories as equally worthy, important, beautiful and artistic as anyone else’s.

Storytelling unleashes the power of our hearts and minds.

Storytelling creates strong connections across differences leading to understanding and cohesive united communities and you know what they say about a people united.

Storytelling inspires us to imagine liberation.

Storytelling heals.

Support from our donors allowed us to resist through storytelling in so many ways in 2026:

Storytelling for the Stage. Our most popular Artist Training class took a new turn this year, as it provided a respite for artists most impacted by Metro Surge. Artists met weekly to write about their experiences, fears, dreams, and to connect with others also experiencing loss and fear.

Storytelling as An Act of Resistance. A new class series that grew out of Storytelling for the Stage. In these virtual classes, artists came together for grounding, connection, story sharing, and writing.

Gunggong & Bombo: A Drum’s Tale. A dance/theatre piece inspired by folk stories from Ecuadorian & Ghanaian cultures created in collaboration with Center for Performing Arts, Away Runakuna Dance Company & Tiyumba Drum & Dance Ensemble. EBT led a series of story sharing, out of which the themes & storyline for the performance emerged. Premiered at CFPA’s New Works Festival in April.

Muyehpen. EBT partnered with Minnesota Historical Society & Austin Area Arts this spring to present Ehkhudah Zar’s play, Muyehpen in St. Paul & Austin.. The play, which tells a deeply important story about a famous K’nyaw (Karen) female warrior, held significant meaning for the K’nyaw communities targeted by ICE.

Through Our Eyes Playwright Cohort. Five playwrights from historically excluded communities meet monthly & receive mentorship & support in writing a new play.. The cohort will culminate with a New Plays Festival in April 2027.

Sweet Revenge. Written by Marcie R. Rendon, this world premiere was a co-production with Mni Giizhik Theatre Ensemble. A true crime comedy that weaves in series themes, particularly about the devastating impact of American Indian board schools on many generations. Sweet Revenge performed to sold out audiences October 9 - 17, 2026.

School residencies & workshops. From exploring the story of Muyehpen with Ehkhudah Zar to creating stories based on the complexity of identity with Ashawnti Saking Ford; students engaged in culturally relevant theater & writing workshops. 85% of all of our workshop were offered free of charge to Minneapolis & St. Paul public schools.

This year our Give to the Max goal is to raise $5,000. Donations will fund a new Storytelling as an Act of Healing series; fuel our school residencies & workshops, support the Through Our Eyes New Play Festival in April of 2027, and nourish our fall 2027 production of Ashawnti Sakina Ford’s Edges.