(im)migration 360 project | HartBeat Ensemble

(im)migration 360

HartBeat's ongoing project, is an examination of the national and local crises around (im)migrants. The project illuminates the rich rewards (im)migrants bring to our community while examining long-term, structural, or urgent issues surrounding folks who want to make Hartford or CT or the US at large, their home. The series includes creative writing workshops, opportunities for shared healing, resource sharing, community conversations around music, food, and theater and works toward an emerging call to action.

Story Circles for immigrant groups

Limited spaces available for story circle experience for your immigrant affinity group, up to 12 people. Come together to share personal narratives around a specific topic relevant to your community and practice active listening.

Schedule a Story Circle

Special Art Exhibition:
Journey of memories

Visit our lobby gallery to experience the creative perspectives of immigrant and refugee women in our area who want to share their journey. Leave them a message of hope and encouragement as you reflect on the stories told.

Open Hours:

Tuesdays & Thursdays 11am-5pm

Saturday July 13 at 10am-2pm

July 1-July 20, 2024

Schedule a Visit

Creative Writing Workshops

Join this FREE creative writing series this summer with Patrick 'Rico' Williams to share your immigrant stories of trials and triumphs. Use poetry, creative writing, and spoken word to release stress, celebrate victories, and build community.

Dates: TBD

Location: Carriage House Theatre, 360 Farmington Ave

...And more coming soon!

Activity Archive

HBE2305 (Un)Documents social v2-_edited_edited_edited.jpg

(Un)Documents is an autobiographical play that charts Valles' childhood in Mexico, their eventual migration to the United States, their early life as an undocumented person and eventual naturalization, the sudden deportation of their older brother, and the aftermath of this devastating event.

This festival included a Marketplace & Mixer of local artists, food vendors, organizations, & live DJ, the opening of "Movement/Making", an exhibition curated from the personal collections of artists & organizers of local immigrant rights movements, a screening of "Breaking Bread & Borders: Conversations about Food, Migration, & Home" (2020) produced by the CT UndocuFund, moderated conversation about the role of the arts & artists in movements for queer & migrant justice and more!

HBE2304 Requiem Electric Chair Poster v4_edited.jpg

Detained for putting on plays critical of the Congolese government, Toto arrived in the United States in 2015 seeking political asylum, which he was granted in 2018. His one-man play, Requiem for an Electric Chair tells the story of his persecution and eventual exile from Congo, and opens with his interview with a US immigration officer...

Community Action Gateway “Building Knowledge for Social Change” students at Trinity College researched Immigrant-Owned Restaurants in Hartford, CT. Students conducted oral history interviews, tours, and research to create an online storymap.

HartBeat Ensemble partnered with SoulCare Love, LLC to offer a special sound healing and workshop for our beloved immigrant community. This was led by Maria del Carmen, seasoned sound healer as she facilitated the afternoon both in English and Spanish.

Untold and Undocumented, a new one-act play written and performed by YPI participants, explores the challenges our undocumented community faces related to citizenship status and lack of accessible resources as they strive for the “American Dream.” In what ways do we succeed and fail at being a home for those who are asylum seekers, refugees, and/or undocumented? What does “sanctuary” actually mean?