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Sharon Thomson
E-Mail: sharonthomson2001@yahoo.com
___________________________________________________________________________________
PROFILE
A community-based artist and educator with more than 45 years of professional
experience. Published poet, performer, activist, playwright. Founder and Artistic Director
of Poetry Ritual Theatre, an innovative, interactive theatre project using the arts as a
vehicle for inspiring community development and action in relation to specific issues and
themes. Life and work show consistent commitment to empowering marginalized
populations through education and creative expression.
___________________________________________
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
(References available upon request)
The Grail, a United Nations non-governmental organization providing educational programs and social
action projects in 20 countries. U.S.A. headquarters: Grailville, Loveland, OH, 1977--2019
Director, Grail Retreat Center, Cornwall-on-Hudson, NY, 2005-2014
--Developed and implemented programs, seminars, and community out-reach
projects integrating spirituality, social justice, women's empowerment, creative and
performing arts with community development.
--Managed content and distribution of all Center communications: website, newsletter,
video, social media, internal and external communications related to Center operations.
--Implemented outreach to the local community through Center programs and through
engagement with programs and projects in Cornwall and Cornwall on Hudson, e.g.
Public Library, Chamber of Commerce, Town Hall Meetings, local festivals and events,
local print and on-line media
--Organized and implemented the Center's multi-media 50th Anniversary
celebration in 2013.
--Led programs such as The Poetry Path (writing workshops), The Myth of the Holy
Grail (study seminars), Theater of the Oppressed workshops, and a solo poetry
performance, The Failed Poet Harpist
Director, Community Building through the Arts Project, Grailville, Loveland, OH
2000--2004
Developed and implemented training programs, seminars, and community out-reach projects
integrating the creative and performing arts with community development
--Building Community--monthly series of workshops for the Grailville community
(2001-2003)
--The Art of Ritual in Community--series of seminars and training programs for the
general public (2001--2002)
--Living in the Moment--one-day workshop, Prince of Peace Church of the Brethren,
Dayton, OH (Oct., 2001)
--Welfare to Work Program--training program for welfare mothers, Loveland, OH (May,
2001)
--Ritual Arts in Community, on-site training for Milagro Co-Housing Project, Tucson,
AZ (April, 2001)
Leadership Team at Grailville--Loveland, OH, 2001-2003
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Staff development, staff training, orientations, community building, mediation, conflict resolution,
communications, newsletter contributor, public speaking, community relations
Playwright and Artistic Director, Poetry Ritual Theatre, 1992--present
Multi-media, interactive, community-based theatre projects. Issue-oriented scripts written in
consultation with community commissioning the work. Participating community members
collaborate at every stage of development through workshops and rehearsals. Talents, skills and
insights are blended into a presentation that encourages audience participation as part of the final
production.
(see page 4 for Productions Listing)
Poet-in-Residence, 1977--2015
Live and work at Grail Centers, nationally and internationally, writing and teaching poetry and
performance workshops, leading Poetry Path writing workshop retreats, creating poetry in
performance programs for Grail community and general public.
--Grail Retreat Center, Cornwall-on-Hudson, NY, 2005-2015
--Grailville Conference and Education Center, Loveland, OH, 2000--present
--Grail Center, Philadelphia, PA, 1996--2000
--Grailville Conference and Education Center, Loveland, OH, 1992--1995
--Grail Cultural Center, Lisbon, Portugal, 1987--1991
--Grail Cultural Center, Brooklyn, NY, 1981--1987
--Grail Retreat Center, Cornwall-on-Hudson, NY, 1977--1981
National Grail Programs Consultant, 1995--2000
Traveled to regional groups, living and working on-site for periods of a month or more, assisting
planning and implementation of artistic and educational programs in diverse cultural settings.
Educational Director and Faculty Member, New Women, New Earth,
Grailville, 1992--1995
Four month residential, alternative education program for women, accepted for credit by Mount
St. Joseph's College and Antioch University, focusing on studies related to race, class, gender,
ecological sustainability, social justice and spiritual search. Integrated creative artistic expression
through a variety of media into all aspects of educational process.
OTHER:
Poetry Path Writing Workshops--1980 to present
Writing workshops exploring poetry as a spiritual practice, integrating poetic techniques for
creating content and editing, followed by group oral readings.
Art of Ritual in Community--1980 to present
Creation of rituals for Grail and other communities, along with seminars about the basic elements
and theories of effective ritualizing. Created Rites of Passage program materials for CEJI, A
Jewish Contribution to an Inclusive Europe
The Myth of the Holy Grail--1992 to present
Seminars on the history, symbolic meaning, archetypes, themes and contemporary relevance of the
Grail myth, often including enactment, ritualizing, and readings from The Circle and The Light: A
Search for the Holy Grail
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Women's Institute for Social Transformation, Grail Retreat Center, Cornwall-on-Hudson
2005-2006
Faculty Member
Facilitated workshops applying Theater of the Oppressed methodology, along with the literary and
performing arts, to personal and community education and development.
Catalyst Program, Center for Women's Intercultural Leadership, St. Mary's College,
South Bend, Indiana, 2003
Program Consultant
Facilitated one-week series of workshops for spiritually and culturally diverse grass-roots women
integrating the arts with community building
WAM! Women, Arts & Media, Cincinnati, OH, 2001--2002
Program Consultant
Developed and implemented art and education programs.
--Creative Healing writing workshops (Jan.-Feb. 2002)
--Poetry Path Writers Retreat (Feb. 2002)
--Women's Stories in Poetry (Sept.-Oct. 2001)
--Ancient Healing education project (2001-2002)
Writer-in-Residence, Welfare to Work Program, Loveland, OH (May, 2001)
Integrated writing into a self-development training program for welfare mothers
The Union Institute, Cincinnati, OH, 1993--1995
Adjunct Professor of Creative Writing
Mentorship of independent student projects
Winton Hills Arts and Theater Project, Cincinnati, OH 1993--1994
Poet-in-Residence and Artistic Director
Community arts project for Winton Hills area of Cincinnati (mostly African-American, section 8
housing complex). Series of writing and performance workshops culminating in all-day Winton
Hills Arts Festival, showcasing work of neighborhood women along with African-American
artists and performers in Cincinnati area. Taught writing and performance workshops.
Networked with Winton Hills community agencies to provide support for project. Recruited and
collaborated with local African-American artists.
American Language Institute, Lisbon, Portugal, 1988--1991
Faculty Member
Taught English as a Foreign Language. Directed seminars on pedagogical technique and use of
creative writing in language learning for the Portuguese Ministry of Education.
New York State Poets-in-the-Schools and Poets-in-Public-Service, 1977--1987
Poet-in-Residence Facilitated writing of poetry by students, ages 6 to adult, in short to long-term residencies.
Residencies included:
--public, private, and parochial schools throughout the New York City metropolitan area
--a residential facility for juvenile offenders
--a hotel for welfare mothers
--a drug rehabilitation program for teens
--a residential facility for senior citizens
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Dominican Sisters Family Health Service, South Bronx, NY, 1985--1986
Summer Camp Writer-in-Residence
Taught creative writing to children from at-risk homes. Compiled and edited anthologies of
children's writings.
Queens Village Junior High School 109, Queens, NY, Spring, 1985
Director, Poetry in Performance Program
Created and directed student performance event based on students' writings, incorporating
music, movement, rap and singing.
The Writers Community, New York City, Spring & Fall semesters, 1981
Poet-in-Residence
Taught professional level students in series of workshops culminating in public readings of
their work.
POETRY RITUAL THEATRE PRODUCTIONS
Ancient Healing, a Ritual from the Clan of the Not-So-Many-Breasted Women
Ritual Drama performed by breast cancer survivors, family and friends. Focuses on personal,
environmental and political factors in cancer epidemic, exploring potential sources of healing .
Performances
--Grailville, Loveland, OH, April, 1998, with Medasi African Dance Theater
--Woman's Place Theatre, Philadelphia, PA, June, 1999, in collaboration with the Women's
Health and Environmental Network
Reviews/Articles
--Alternative Therapies, a Peer-Reviewed Journal of Health and Medicine, September, 1998
--The Catholic Telegraph, May 1, 1998
--Cincinnati Enquirer, April 22, 1998
Video Documentation
--documentary directed and produced by video artist, Janis Taylor, PhD, Professor, Northern
Kentucky University.
Presentations/Workshops
--World Conference on Breast Cancer, Ottawa, Canada, 1999
--Citizen's Alliance for Progressive Health Awareness, Philadelphia, PA, 1999
--The Wellness Community, Philadelphia, PA, 1998
St. John's Oak
Outdoor performance celebrating 450 year old live oak tree in downtown Lafayette, LA. Traces
history of the community from pre-European era, through arrival of Acadians, slavery, civil
rights movement, and modern urban reality. Written in English with segments in French and
Spanish, incorporating Cajun and Gospel music.
Performance
--St. John's Oak, Lafayette, LA., October, 1997. Sponsored by Louisiana Grail with
cooperation of St. John's Cathedral
Video Documentation
--taped by Acadiana TV
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Do Not Give Way To Evil
Ritual Theatre event tracing history of the South Bronx and experience of its residents,
performed by local teens. Title taken from motto on official Seal of the Bronx, "Ne Cede Malis."
Written in Spanish and English, incorporating contemporary music and dance, ending with
celebratory procession in costume through the streets of the community.
Performance
--St. Luke's Community Center, June, 1997. Co-sponsored by St. Luke's Church and South Bronx
Grail Center
The Circle and The Light, A Search for the Holy Grail
Ritual Theatre event based on contemporary interpretation of symbols and themes of the Grail
myth. Commissioned in honor of 50th anniversary of Grailville, subsequently performed by
other national and international groups.
Performances
--Grailville, Loveland, OH, November, 1994 and April, 1995
--Grail Center, Tanzania (translated and directed by local participants), June, 1995
--International Leadership Conference, Cornwall, NY, December, 1995
--Tabernacle United Church, Philadelphia, PA, March, 1997
Reviews/Articles
--feature articles in local newspapers as events occurred
Video Documentation
--taped by DUTV, Philadelphia
Seminars/Workshops
Led in-depth seminars on the Myth of the Holy Grail in conjunction with all performances,
focusing on the myth's origins and contemporary relevance. In addition, have led Grail Myth
workshops sponsored by the Grail in cities throughout the country.
Discoveries
Historical Drama tracing the discovery of America that began 25,000 years ago and
continues to the present. Commissioned by The Grail for the American Quincentennial and
performed by a diverse community. Interprets the discovery event from a multi-cultural
perspective.
Performances
--Arts Consortium, Cincinnati, OH, May, 1992
--Grailville, Loveland, OH, May and October, 1992
--Women of the Americas Conference, Mexico City, Mexico, July, 1992
PUBLICATIONS
Chapbooks
The Circle and The Light: A Search for the Holy Grail (Grail publication, 2008, NY)
Sharon Thomson, Greatest Hits 1973-2000 (Pudding House, 2001, OH)
Calling Forth the Light: Advent Meditations (Grailville Publications, 2001, OH)
Poems by Sharon Thomson (1999, OH), (Handmade Art Book, series of 100)
Ancient Healing (St., Joseph's University, 1999, PA)
Abandoned Mahogany: A Book of Poetic Progressions (Self-Published, 1974)
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Anthologies
For A Better World (SOS Art Cincinnati, 2004)
Intermediating Surfaces; The Sk(in) Between (BigCityLit.com & Big City Lit Print
Series, Headwaters Press, 2003)
Glass Works (Pudding House, 2003)
Many Lights in Many Windows (Milkweed Editions, 1997)
Important Words (Heinemann-Boynton/Cook, 1992)
Anthology of Magazine Verse & Yearbook of American Poetry, 1984 (Monitor Book
Co., 1985)
The Beast In A Cage Of Words (Physicians for Social Responsibility,1985)
Women’s Spirit Bonding (Pilgrim Press, 1984)
Brooklyn and the World (Long Island University Press, 1983)
Journals/Magazines
Poetry, Pequod, Athenaeum, Three Rivers Poetry Journal, Feminist Renaissance,
Christopher Street, Aspect, Louisville Review
Webzines
Ducts.org (issue 21, summer 2008) http://www.ducts.org/content/memoirs/end-of-angels-loss-of-wings/
Recordings
Calling Forth the Light: A Meditation in Song and Spoken Word (Tape One, 2001)
Video Productions
Welcome To The Cornwall Grail Center
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w9Ir30ZE5tg
Cornwall Metanoia 2010
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OAOqUNZDlug
Editorial Publications
Editor of The Dove, monthly newsletter of the Cornwall Grail Center (2006-2014)
Web site Manager for the Cornwall Grail Center (2006-2014)
The Grailville Poets (Grailville Publications, 1995, OH), editor
Poems To Go
Poems created in real time, on demand, in collaboration with individuals, based
on their own words and intentions for the poem
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SELECTED POETRY READINGS
Yale, Princeton, Penn State University, Brooklyn College, College of Southampton,
Maryland Institute College of Arts, Union Institute (Cincinnati), White Dog Cafe
(Philadelphia), Dr. Generosity's (NYC), Chumley's (NYC), The Writer's Community
(NYC), The Glines (NYC), Anthology Film Archives (NYC), Womanbooks (NYC), The
Women's Coffee House (NYC), New York Book Fair, Franklin Park Conservatory
(Columbus, OH)
PERFORMANCE ART
Calling Forth the Light: A Meditation in Song and Spoken Word
Collaboration with the Grail Ann Arbor Singers, Director Lynn Malley
Available on CD, 2001
Performances
Ann Arbor Academy of Early Music series, Ann Arbor MI, 2001
Eastminster Presbyterian Church, Lansing, MI, 2001
Articles/Reviews
Feature articles in local newspapers as events occurred
Fire
Collaboration with Shawn Womack Dance Theatre
Performances
Thomas Moore College, KY, 1994 (premiere)
incorporated as part of on-going repertoire
Map of a Small World
Full-length monologue.
Performances
Union Institute, Cincinnati, OH, 1994
Grailville, Loveland, OH 1993
Affection and Lightning
A series of monologues in stage adaptation of Donald Barthelme stories, created and directed by
Kim Holton.
Performances
The Lisbon Players, Lisbon, Portugal, 1991
Creating the Future
Poetry and visual art presentation.
Performances
--Bay Ridge Peace Coalition, Brooklyn, NY, 1982
--International Leadership Conference, Grail Center, Cornwall, NY, 1982
--Women's Spirituality Network, Brooklyn, NY, 1982
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Connecting Energies
Multi media presentation for the U.S. Grail General Assembly, 1981
Before the End of the World, Part I: Some Voices in the Crowd
Series of monologues presented in full-length, one-woman show.
Performances
-- St. Peter's, Citicorp Building, NYC, 1980
--The Greenwich Village School, NYC, 1980
BROADCASTS, REVIEWS & INTERVIEWS
In Search of The Grail: The Story of a Women's Movement (2006) featured in DVD
produced by The United States Grail,
Creative Spirituality, The Way of the Artist by Robert Wuthnow
(University of California Press, 20001)--profile of life and work
City Beat (Cincinnati, 2000)
feature article on Poetry Path Retreats
DUTV (Philadelphia, 1999 & 2000 )
video broadcast of Ancient Healing
Alternative Therapies, a Peer-Reviewed Journal of Health and Medicine (Sept., 1998)
feature article on Ancient Healing Project
WVXU (Cincinnati radio, 1998 & 1992)
based on productions of Ancient Healing and DISCOVERIES
Acadiana TV (Lafayette, LA, 1997)
based on production of St. John's Oak
University of New Mexico (Albuquerque radio, 1996)
based on presentation of The Circle & The Light
WAIF (Community Based Radio, Cincinnati OH, 1994
based on Winton Hills Community Arts Project
WBAI (NYC radio, 1976 & 1977)
interviews and poetry performance
WRITING AWARDS & GRANTS
Kentuckiana Metroversity--writing awards, 2004--First and Second place in Graduate Creative
Nonfiction, Second Place in Graduate Research
PEO International Sisterhood--Continuing ED, grant and Ohio Scholarship for MFA, 2003