The nonprofit organization Hidden Voices will share stories of domestic violence against women through a stage performance and an art exhibit this month at Duke University.
The group will present the stage performance "Speaking Without Tongues" at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 27, in the Bryan Center's Reynolds Theatre. The performance explores violence and survival in the actual lives of women from diverse ethnic backgrounds, with a question-and-answer period following. The event is free and open to the public.
An interactive art exhibit by Hidden Voices begins Sunday, Oct. 4, in Duke Chapel. The exhibit will feature photographic self-portraits and constructed boxes created by the survivors. The exhibit is free and open to the public.
"Duke Chapel is proud to sponsor this exhibit and hear the voices of survivors of family and domestic violence, and to partner with Hidden Voices as they enable marginalized people to share their stories," said Gaston Warner, Duke Chapel director of university and community relations.
Hidden Voices director Lynden Harris said the ensemble of women performers are survivors of domestic violence, not professional actors.
"They have worked with us for more than two years, exploring their own experiences, learning how to tell their own stories, and giving voice to other women who share their struggle but cannot speak for themselves," she said. "We are grateful to have found women able and willing to speak, because many victims are still in danger."
Duke Chapel will host a reception for the art exhibit from 6:30-8:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 20. The program will include spoken word and music performances by local artists, and a reading of the names of domestic violence victims by the North Carolina Coalition Against Domestic Violence.
The exhibit and performance coincide with Domestic Violence Awareness Month.
Hidden Voices works with individuals who are struggling with issues such as literacy, domestic violence and immigration to tell their stories. In addition to Duke University Chapel, other sponsors of the performance and exhibit include Durham Crisis Response Center, North Carolina Coalition Against Domestic Violence, Duke Human Rights Center, Orange County Rape Crisis Center and the Family Violence Prevention Center.