zAmya Theater Project

zAmya Theater Project uses the powerful combination of lived experience(s) and artistic expression to create a community that works for housing justice for all. 

>>> Check out our 2022 Annual Report! <<<

Coming Together in New Ways, Every Day

zAmya Troupe Members Annette and Tahiti at the May Day Parade

The number of unsheltered people in the U.S. rises annually. Minnesota has the 16th highest ranking for homelessness, with nearly 8,000 people going without shelter every day. 18% are children.

While this data is essential to understanding the magnitude of the housing crisis, it’s easy to be overwhelmed by the numbers and forget that the individuals behind them are sons and daughters, parents, and grandparents. 

Your support turns “homeless” from a word back into a person. Living, breathing, laughing, singing persons. Who act in entertaining, original productions that are guaranteed to change your mind, if not your life. 

zAmya’s mission is to address the disconnection and stigmatization of homelessness. Participants cite joy, fun, relief, expression, advocacy, and healing as reasons for attending. Darrell Coles shared, “I’d forgotten about dreams. When you’re trying to survive on a day-to-day basis, you don’t have time for dreams. You have to deal with reality. zAmya theater helped me improve and change my life.”

Public support from people like YOU plays an essential role in powering zAmya. Here’s what a Give to the Max contribution makes possible: 

• Community driven projects that create stronger neighborhoods with more safety nets for the unhoused, Like Neighbors Being Neighbors in the North Loop

• Programming that raises awareness and support for housing justice in Greater Minnesota, like A Prairie Homeless Companion

• Theater projects that empowers those that have been traumatized by the experience of homelessness in the Twin Cities, like A Challenge to Change

• Partnerships that chip away at systemic oppression in healthcare, like our work with the local chapter of Campaign Against Racism

• Plays that support scientists in meeting the unique needs of people struggling to manage diabetes while surviving homelessness, like Life Heist

• Weekly workshops that offer people who don't have a place to "be" a welcoming space to socialize and be creative, like our residency at the Minneapolis Central Library

And so much more!

zAmya relies on support from individuals who think housing for everyone is important. Please donate to zAmya Theater Project today!

zAmya's 2022 Annual Report

Check out zAmya's 2022 Annual report - our first ever! 

More about zAmya Theater Project

Since our founding in 2004, zAmya has impacted nearly 23,000 people through 212 performances and 184 workshops in locations ranging from boardrooms, to parks, to world-class facilities like the Guthrie Theater. In addition to creating and touring original theater, zAmya offers custom designed creative learning opportunities for companies, schools, shelters, and other organizations.

zAmya Theater Project employs a troupe of performers with lived experience of homelessness. The Troupe actively develops creative, leadership, and facilitation capacity as they co-lead workshops and productions for other participants. Each Troupe member brings 2-12 years of involvement and experience in comedy, creative writing, choral singing, composition, and spoken word. The Troupe is involved throughout the organization in all levels of planning, including two rotating positions on the Board of Directors and board committees. 

If you prefer to donate by check, please make them out to zAmya Theater Project and mail to 3501 Chicago Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55407.