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. 
Read our 2025 Annual Report

No Small Parts, No Small Gifts: Be 1 of 100 for zAmya

“zAmya creates a lot of healing for people… through building community and through people getting to speak their truth and be witnessed and be loved for their truth... There’s just not really a lot like it, and it’s profound and it’s brilliant and it’s remarkable. I’m just honored that I have gotten to be a part of it in any way.” — Crystal Spring

You Belong Here, Just as You Are

We often hear from our community that one of the things most loved about zAmya is that we create spaces where people feel seen, valued, and welcome “just as you are.”

That goes both ways. We love that workshop participants and audiences show up however they are doing that day, with unique lived experiences, stories, talents, insights, and passions.

In Minnesota, a single night sees more than 8,000 individuals experiencing homelessness—a reality that forces people to focus entirely on day-to-day survival, often in deep isolation. But behind every number is a human being with a story and a unique voice that deserves to be heard.

That’s what we’ve decided to focus on for this year’s Give to the Max Day: that there’s a place here for everyone, just as you are. In theater, there are no small parts. And during Give to the Max Day, there are no small gifts.

What Your Gift Provides

Your support makes it possible to offer most of our programs and performances for free, ensuring original theater productions and community trainings are accessible to anyone across the housing spectrum:

• Fair Artist Pay: Paying our core Troupe Members and guest artists—many of whom are currently or formerly unhoused—for their time, creative leadership, and facilitation skills.

• Direct Barrier Removal: Providing transit passes, bus tokens, coffee, snacks, and participant stipends for unhoused community members attending workshops and rehearsals.

• Spaces of Healing & Joy: Creating safe environments where folks can process trauma, build lasting relationships, learn performance skills, and know they are appreciated.

How We Get There Together: Goals, Matches & Prizes

• Primary Goal — 100 Donations: Our main goal is to reach 100 gifts of any amount by Thursday, Nov. 19th. You can help us get there by donating $5.00 or $500.00, or by sharing this fundraiser with friends and family.

• Secondary Goal — $14,000: This ensures our programs remain fully funded, sustainable, and accessible.

• The $2,500 Board Match: Thanks to the zAmya Board of Directors, gifts will be matched dollar-for-dollar up to $2,500, doubling your impact from the very start.

• Golden Ticket Cash Prizes: The more people who donate at any level, the greater chance zAmya has of winning a GiveMN “Golden Ticket”—randomly drawn cash prizes ranging from $500 to $10,000 during early giving and on Give to the Max Day.
  
  

More About zAmya Theater Project

Since our founding in 2004, zAmya has impacted over 25,000 people through 313 performances and 340 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. 

Join the 100 Today! Early giving is open, and truly, every gift matters.

Prefer to donate by check? Please make checks payable to zAmya Theater Project and mail to:

zAmya Theater Project
3501 Chicago Ave
Minneapolis, MN 55407

Thank you for being part of the zAmFam—and for making this work possible!