Living Out Loud

 

What is Living Out Loud?

Living Out Loud is a collection of workshops for survivors of sexual assault who are ready to bring joy and lightheartedness back into their lives.

"It was safe, fun, and a blast!"—Participant, October 2006

Living out Loud workshops offer the healing benefits of love, laughter, and community through a shared experience of the performing arts .  Improvisational comedy. Music-making. Art. Movement and dance. Whatever the medium, all Living out Loud workshops awaken the mind, warm the heart, stir the soul … and tickle the funny bone.

"It brought hope, light, and love back into my life"—Participant, October 2006

Living out Loud workshops are created by survivors, for survivors, in collaboration with workshop leaders and sexual assault centers.  While any Living out Loud experience may be momentary, the good feelings and memories last a lifetime.

"This was fun. It was about life!"—Participant, October 2006

Did You Know … Every two and a half minutes someone is sexually assaulted somewhere in the U.S. [1]

The impacts are severe. Sexual assault has been referred to as the most serious violation of a person’s physical, emotional, and spiritual self that anyone can experience – aside from homicide. [2]

It is shrouded in secrecy. Sexual assault is one of the most under-reported violent crimes, with an estimated one out of ten cases reported to the police. And reported or not, many don’t talk about their experience because they feel shameful about being an assault victim.

“Busting the shame that surrounds sexual assault can dramatically reduce the instances and impact of this traumatic experience.  Living Out Loud is an extraordinary program that does just that.”
—Jen McLish, MSW, Sexual Assault Response and Awareness Program (SARA) Office On Women, City of Alexandria

All sexual assault survivors have their own unique journey in healing.  Even those who have made great strides in overcoming the trauma of their experience may find they still quietly carry anger, self-blame, shame or other negative emotions — like an invisible backpack that adds weight to an otherwise lighthearted life.

While many sexual assault centers provide advocacy, support groups, and therapy, most aren’t able to offer creative experiences that encourage the next step in healing: unloading the invisible backpack once and for all!

"Living Out Loud creates the possibility of love, laughter, and community for survivors of sexual assault.  Because life isn’t meant to be survived; it’s meant to be lived "
—Andrea Howe, survivor and creative catalyst for Living Out Loud

Living out Loud workshops are for you if you are a survivor of sexual assault (male or female), have taken active steps in healing, and are ready to explore new experiences in a supportive environment. 

[1] Statistics courtesy of RAINN (www.rainn.org)
[2] From The Rape Recovery Handbook by Aphrodite Matsakis, Ph.D.


Frequently Asked Questions

Who’s behind Living out Loud ?
Living out Loud is a volunteer-driven organization supported by many generous and passionate people. There are three key roles on the leadership team for every unique Living out Loud workshop:

  • A Sponsoring organization provides expert guidance, publicity, and access to the survivor community.
  • A Workshop leader lends his or her talents to create a one-of-a-kind experience for participants.
  • A Survivor offers an “insider” perspective and reaps the benefits of visibly creating an uplifting experience for others.

Where are Living out Loud workshops held?
Living out Loud workshops are private events held in positive, healing, and uplifting environments (our first workshop was held at a spa!). Through Living out Loud, Participants have an opportunity to be more “public” about their assault than they have in the past.

Do participants have to talk about their assault?
No. In fact, the Living Out Loud focus is on living into an exciting future rather than revisiting the past.  Our design guideline is "90/10"-at least 90% of workshop time is spent actively participating and about 10% of the time is spent discussing participants’ learnings and breakthroughs as a result of their experience. is a next step for survivors; it is not a replacement for support groups and therapy.

Why are Living out Loud workshops co-ed?
Living out Loud workshops are designed to create positive and compassionate connections among all members of the survivor community.

Is Living Out Loud for me?
Living Out Loud workshops are for you if you are a survivor of sexual assault (male or female), have taken active steps in healing, and are ready to explore new and creative experiences in a supportive environment!

How can I create a Living out Loud workshop for my community?
We’re so glad you asked because it’s easy, inspiring, and fun!  Please contact SOAR at either 407-898-0693 or info@lolworkshops.com.

 
SOARClick to learn more about Living Out Loud's parent organization, SOAR.

Upcoming Events:

  • On September 22, the public is invited to enjoy the belly laughs of an interactive improv comedy experience with DC Improv’s Shawn Westfall in Chestertown, MD. more info >

Living Out Loud appeared in SELF Magazine!

Living Out Loud was mentioned in the April 2007 issue of SELF Magazine!

Living Out Loud on Washington Post Radio!

Hear the September 26th, 2006 Living out Loud broadcast. Note: the sound file will take a moment to begin.

Past workshops:

Improvisational comedy!
October 2006

In this highly interactive, bust-a-gut experience, the DC Improv’s own Shawn Westfall taught survivors the invaluable life lessons that improv has to offer, such as how to:

  • Trust and create trust.
  • Deal with the unexpected.
  • Stay present and be in the moment.
  • Make compassionate connections with others.
  • Laugh, laugh, and laugh some more!

This  improv comedy workshop was sponsored by the Alexandria Office on Women SARA Program (www.alexwomen.com)
and hosted by Be You Bi Yu Wellness Center and Spa in Bethesda, MD (www.beyouspa.com).

Sound healing!
December 2006

Here we stretched beyond the performing arts and into the healing arts. In this transformative experience, Hyun Martin of Be You Bi Yu Wellness Center and Spa shared the use of sound as a healing tool (a technique that dates back thousands of years)! Participants had the opportunity to:

  • Be grounded in every day life.
  • Open their heart to new experiences and people.
  • Trust your intuition.
  • Make compassionate connections with others.
  • Get their energy back!

This workshop was sponsored by Nancy Pentz, LICSW, of Dickenson, Pentz, McCall, & Honnold,
and hosted by Be You Bi Yu Wellness Center and Spa in Bethesda, MD (www.beyouspa.com).

Contact:

Want to know more about Living Out Loud? Please contact SOAR at 407-898-0693 or email info@lolworkshops.com.