REPRESENT TONYC! 2021 Team #1

Passionate about the arts? Fired up for social justice? Meet Christian, Josh, Maria, Mersadez, and Philip! They are an organizer, a lawyer, an actor, and more! They are grandmothers, fathers, daughters, art makers and supporters. Believing in the promise of liberatory theatre, this dynamic five united together to take a stand for all voices being HEARD! They proudly support the work of TONYC and invite you to join them! During the first week of November, you can support this team in supporting ART, ACTION, and CHANGE.

Want to get to know our amazing team? Keep on reading to learn about the fantastic five and why we love TONYC!

MARIA TERESA WALLES - TONYC ACTOR and DELEGATE
My name is Maria Teresa Walles. I have been with TONYC since Spring 2016 with Concrete Justice as an actor and moved to Rapid Response in Winter 2018.
I have done Delegate work in Spring 2019 and Front of the House in Fall 2018.
I have done Joker in Training/Reboot in Summer 2017-2019.
I am passion about the work we do at TONYC.
I am looking forward in our TONYC giving where you can donate from November 1 to 7.
Every little bite help us out for the rest of this year and into next year.
This is going into the holiday season and looking forward in whatever you can.

CHRISTIAN PAXTON - TONYC VOLUNTEER and THEATRE MAKER
I moved to New York City in 2014 to pursue a life in the theatre. Over the years, I learned much about what it takes to be an artist in this city. After several years of hustling in restaurants and feeling burned out, I took a break to attain my 200 Hour Yoga Teaching Certification. It was during this training that I really reflected on my craft and the kind of work I wanted to do. Tired of striving after what often felt like vain pursuits, I yearned for theatre and stories that were about something more---a union of the arts and healing. That’s when a fellow yoga student told me for the first time about Theatre of the Oppressed. I immediately researched its history, found TONYC, and signed up as a volunteer for one of their events. That evening, I stood in witness to the power of this work. Since then, I have enrolled in a Master’s in Applied Theatre program with CUNY to continue my learning of TO and this field, and continue to support TONYC at every opportunity.

PHILIP SANTOS SCHAFFER - TONYC ADMINISTRATOR and FAN
I first learned about Theatre of the Oppressed in a high school theatre class. My own practice has long been informed by similar pedagogies; I create plays in which the audience members’ choices directly affect what is happening on stage. I am interested in creating make-believe spaces in which audience members have the opportunity to test the actions their ideal selves might take. As TONYC’s Development Director, I get to spend my days talking about our Troupe’s plays and processes. I am so glad to support the work of creatively creating tools for tangible change!

JOSH VAN KIRK - TONYC BOARD MEMBER
I was first introduced to TONYC through my friendship with Sulu LeoNimm, our interim executive director, and I joined the board of directors in 2020. I am an attorney but previously worked for 15 years as an educator serving marginalized communities. I joined the board in hopes that my skills would benefit TONYC's mission and aid in its development and I am excited to contribute to this fundraising effort.

DONATE TO TONYC TODAY! If you're feeling the thrill of artistic possibility, or the pull of social and legislative change, we hope you'll join us in supporting Theatre of the Oppressed NYC! A donation of any amount will play a direct role in supporting our programs and administration. We are so glad to be in community with you!