We use the tools of theater to promote Social Justice.
Shows In Homes
Each Season, Out of Hand produces Shows in Homes: one-act plays on social justice topics produced in living rooms across Metro Atlanta, and paired with cocktail parties and conversations on the issue with our partners. 2019’s “Conceal and Carry” tackled gun violence in America, in collaboration with Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America. 2022' “Calf” addressed mass incarceration and the obstacles people face upon release from prison, in partnership with the Georgia Justice Project.
Equitable Dinners
Through Equitable Dinners, Out of Hand gathers thousands of people in homes, community centers, houses of worship, and online, for facilitated, small-group conversations about racial equity and other equity topics over a meal, each launched by a short play. Equitable Dinners is a partnership between Out of Hand and the National Center for Civil and Human Rights, the Mayor's Office, The King Center, Fulton County Remembrance Coalition, Partnership for Southern Equity, and Atlanta Public Schools, among others. Over 10,000 people have participated in our Dinners, and over 90% of survey respondents feel inspired to make a change. In addition, over 90% attendees feel more connected to others afterwards: in fact, the top emotions reported at the end of the Equitable Dinners are "inspired," "connected," and "hopeful."
Creative Kids
Out of Hand’s education programs include The Institute for Equity Activism and Creative Kids. The Institute is a 3-month program that builds the capacity of individuals and organizations in activism through art and transformational leadership, centered with a racial equity lens. Creative Kids is a free arts education program that provides after-school classes at high poverty schools and after-school centers. Creative Kids has served over 650 students at 12 schools with 312 classes, free to students and schools.
Community Collaborations
Out of Hand partners with a wide range of community organizations in Atlanta in Georgia to produce theater-based projects to support their missions. Projects cover topics such as homelessness in partnership with Families First, the celebration of Juneteenth with The Home Depot Foundation, climate change with the Atlanta Science Festival and The Weather Channel, and voter turnout with Atlanta comedian Mark Kendall. See You is a child sex trafficking awareness and prevention program for Georgia middle school students featuring an original film. See You is a collaboration between Out of Hand and the Georgia Council for the Arts, the Attorney General of Georgia’s Office, the Georgia Department of Education, and nonprofits Wellspring Living and Street Grace. Equitable Vaccines, formerly Time Has Chosen Us, is a vaccine confidence program featuring an original short film, in collaboration with the CDC Foundation and the Georgia Department of Public Health.