Empowerment Through The Arts and The Rainbow Players (ETTA Arts)

Arts Service Organization

Ezzell Floranina, Artistic Director and Founder of The Rainbow Players and Empowerment Through The Arts, (ETTA) International,  creates opportunities for access to enrichment and empowerment of individuals labeled as “disabled”.   ETTA International is dedicated to inclusion and in offering training in the arts to ALL abilities and all age groups.  Inclusion in the Arts and Culture increases the benefit for the entire community, shifting the mindset of Dis-ability to the recognition of Ability.  Our Mission:

 

To take bold steps in creating unquestioned access to inclusive arts programming for this diverse group of individuals:  diverse in terms of  ethnicity, culture and ability; artists, performers, comedians, and individuals. We are working across cultures and nations through creative exchanges in Ireland, the United Kingdom, Canada, across the US and New Zealand.  Our mission of inclusion at all levels of theater and performance and visual arts is mirrored in these creative exchanges.

We are currently offering trainings in Social Justice Theater forms drawn from the work of Augusto Boal's Theater of the Oppressed and Rainbow of Desire.  We are able to lead workshops and train other individuals and ensemble theater troupes in these forms.  We are interested in holding events and festivals in collaboration with artists and arts organizations dedicated to Climate Justice and Inclusive Access to training in the Creative Arts.

Primary Discipline

Theater - Devised / Artist-Led

Additional Disciplines

Dance - General
Literary Arts - Non-Fiction
Literary Arts - Poetry
Media - Film
Media - Video
Theater - General
Theater - Children's
Theater - Circus
Theater - Improv
Theater - Musical
Theater - Playwriting
Theater - Puppet
Theater - Solo / One-Person Show
Theater - Storytelling
Visual/Crafts - Experimental
Multi-Disciplinary

Activities

Arts for Social Change / Creative Activism
Arts and Health
Creation of a Work of Art (Including Commissions)
Public Art Projects (In Free, Public Spaces)
Writing Services
Fiscal Sponsorship
Venue Rental
Arts Instruction / Lessons
Curriculum Development
Residency - In School
Workshops / Demonstrations / Master Class
Residency - Production / Development
Professional Development / Training
Film Showings
Performance / Concert / Reading
Professional Network Gatherings / Events
Residency - Community
Virtual Events
Wedding / Parties / Private Gatherings
Community Arts
Exhibitions

Awards

  • Arts Educator of the Year, 2011- Amherst, MA

Education

  • Director's Lab North, Toronto, CA - Summer, 2016 through Stage Directors and Choreographers Foundation, NYC
  • Director's Lab in Chicago, 2017
  • M Ed. in Theater and Social Justice
  • Multi-year Training in Augusto Boal's Theater of the Oppressed and Rainbow of Desire, NYC
  • Teacher of the Deaf, Educator

Professional Associations

  • Network of Ensemble Theaters
  • UP Designated Organization with the Mass Cultural Council

Additional Information

  • Year founded: 1999
  • Is a Teaching Artist
  • Is a Touring Artist
  • Approx. 4 events per year
  • Has venues available
  • Geographic Reach: Surrounding Counties/Region, State-wide, Nationally, Internationally, City/Town-wide, County-wide, Surrounding States/Region
  • Seasons active: Year round