About the Fatherhood Manologues
The Fatherhood Manologues was conceived in January 2020. Ten men were asked to write a 3-5 minute piece focusing on being a father or being fathered. Throughout the month of January and February, the men met weekly to share their progress and practice for a upcoming community show. For many of the participants, this show was their first performance in front of a crowd. The practices were engaging, fun and lighthearted. On February 26, the first Fatherhood Manologues was held at the University of St. Joseph's. There was a lot of positive feedback from the audience on the performance. View the first show below:
Scroll to the bottom to see the videos from cohort #1
As Seen Here:
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Links:
NPR:
https://www.ctpublic.org/arts-and-culture/2020-06-18/african-american-men-share-their-stories-of-being-a-dad-in-the-fatherhood-manologues
Hartford Courant:
https://www.courant.com/ctnow/arts-theater/hc-ctnow-fatherhood-manologues-20200618-ieeuollblrea5odrsuem2t6dcy-story.html
Scene &Heard Live:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=elp-H9dQXtg&t=2s
The Kennedy Center:
https://www.kennedy-center.org/digitalstage/arts-across-america/2020/human-manologues-haven/
https://www.ctpublic.org/arts-and-culture/2020-06-18/african-american-men-share-their-stories-of-being-a-dad-in-the-fatherhood-manologues
Hartford Courant:
https://www.courant.com/ctnow/arts-theater/hc-ctnow-fatherhood-manologues-20200618-ieeuollblrea5odrsuem2t6dcy-story.html
Scene &Heard Live:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=elp-H9dQXtg&t=2s
The Kennedy Center:
https://www.kennedy-center.org/digitalstage/arts-across-america/2020/human-manologues-haven/
Fatherhood Manologues
Group Process
The Fatherhood Manologues has a six week group process in which men are coached, trained and supported in the development and writing of 5-7 minutes monologues (which we call Manologues) focusing on being a father or being fathered. The Fatherhood Manologues seeks to highlight the importance, value and contributions of fathers through their involvement and presence in their children’s lives.
The development of the Fatherhood Manologues allows men to come together behind the common goal of fatherhood. Each participant identifies a story from his life and works with the team to develop the story to have the greatest impact as a performance. Through weekly practice sessions, participants trim their stories, memorize and hone their delivery to performance level. After each practice session,the group talks about their personal fatherhood journey’s, bond and shop for fathering skills from the other men present to add to their toolbox. The process to develop the Fatherhood Manologues is therapeutic, empowering and supportive to the men that participate.
Fatherhood Manologues Workshop
The Fatherhood Manologues Workshop is a powerful, two-hour writing workshop where participants craft and share personal stories about being a father or being fathered. The session opens with a facilitator reading their own Fatherhood Manologue and introducing the project’s purpose and roots. Participants then have 20 minutes of writing to develop a short, honest piece drawn from their lived experience.
After writing, the room shifts from quiet reflection to courageous sharing. With support and gentle prompts, participants read their Fatherhood Manologues aloud, revealing a wide range of stories that are tender, complicated, joyful, and healing about the impact of their father on their life and the realities of fatherhood. Every workshop closes with collective reflection, discussion and a reminder of the importance of fathers.
What to expect.
- A respectful, judgment-free space
- Brief storytelling and writing prompts
- Time to write your own Fatherhood Manologue (no prior writing experience needed)
- Optional sharing and supportive feedback
- Facilitated reflection
Who it is for?
Fathers, Mothers, sons, daughters, mentors, educators, community leaders…anyone ready to explore fatherhood with honesty and care.
Format & Length
- In-person
- 2 hours
Bring Fatherhood Manologues Workshop to your organization, school, or event.
Check out the trailer below from one of our workshops.
Fatherhood Manologues Play
The performance of the Fatherhood Manologues pay is an exhilarating collection of short stories about fatherhood. Each story provides a unique point of view on being a father or being fathered. All the stories will take you on an emotional roller coaster that reminds the audience of the important role fathers play in the lives of their children. The Fatherhood Manologues also add focus to the significance of having an involved fathers or the impact of father absenteeism as it pertains to individual's manhood journey. With societal stereotypes and social expectations wrapped tightly around the term “fatherhood” the Fatherhood Manologues is a much needed artistic expression of men creating their own narratives. Funny, entertaining, serious and sad, these stories will have you wanting to reconnect and repair broken relationships; as well as, reflect on the bond with your own father.
After each performance, a panel discussion is held to unpack the stories, answer questions and elaborate on the themes expressed in the stories. The panel discussion is also an opportunity for the audience to share what they felt through the performance and share the impact the Fatherhood Manologues had on them.
March 2023 Performance
Adapted the performance into a play.
