In Good Company: A Gathering for People of Color Working in End-of-Life

PAUSE invites Folks of Color who work in end-of-life to join us for an evening of connection, resourcing, and nourishment. We all know this work is incredibly special and important - we also know that this work can be difficult and isolating. Our team is excited to create space for you to find community and maybe even some rest.

This gathering is an in-person workshop for 8–15 deathcare workers interested in exploring the connection between death, grief, and embodiment through the arts. We'll gather in a private North Hollywood theater space for a unique workshop at the intersection of voice/body work and grief care.

Together, we’ll explore how the tools of acting - breath, voice, movement, improvisation, and storytelling - can support and sustain us in the tender, embodied work of deathcare.

Facilitated with intention and care, the session will include vocal exercises, movement, improv games, and opportunities to share and reflect through theatrical storytelling. No performance experience is required - just a willingness to be present, playful, and open. This will be a safe space for creative expression, connection, and vulnerability, designed to nourish those who hold space for others.

Please join us if you identify with end-of-life, death, and grief work in any capacity - whether you’re a death doula, mental health professional, healthcare professional, creative, author, faith leader, funeral professional, or otherwise!

Attendees can expect:

• Connection: We aim to create a welcoming and nourishing container for people who work in end-of-life to connect through creativity.
• Spotlights: Each evening we’ll highlight a number of special projects, resources, and people attending the event
• Resourcing: Engage in meaningful discussions with prompts
• Nourishment: If PAUSE is gathering humans, you can count on there to be snacks, drinks, and nourishment ;)

Register today! There is limited space for attendees as we’re hosting this with the intention of making it an intimate gathering.

If you have any questions about this gathering, please email [email protected].

Alica Forneret (she/her) is an educator, speaker, and consultant dedicated to creating new spaces for people to explore grief and grieving. She is the Founder and Executive Director of PAUSE, a nonprofit focused on supporting Communities of Color through grief and end of life. Alica's writing and work about grief, work, and race have been featured in The New York Times, The Los Angeles Times, Psychology Today, Huffington Post, GQ, and more.

Shante DeLoach (she/her) is an entertainment professional with 20 years of experience in the industry. A classically trained actor with a Bachelor's of Fine Arts from AMDA College and Conservatory of the Performing Arts Los Angeles, she started her career on the stage and has expanded to work in television, film, commercial, audiobooks and more. She is 1/4 of Eleventh Story Productions, a multi-media production company dedicated to multi-cultural storytelling. Most recently she played Mariane in North Coast Repertory's production of Tartuffe, and she can be seen in Aces, an upcoming limited series on Apple TV.

Thomas Greene (he/him) began studying improvisation at age eleven and began teaching at age eighteen at The Piven Theatre in Evanston, IL. After attending DePaul University and Columbia College in Chicago, Thomas worked as an actor/performer at The Next Theatre in Evanston IL, Theatre Off Park in New York, New American Theatre in Rockford IL, Madison Repertory Theatre in Wisconsin. Thomas held teaching residences throughout the Chicago Public school system, and surrounding suburbs through Urban Gateways in Chicago. Thomas toured with The Second City National Touring Company and wrote and performed industrials for The Second City Business Theater. He taught and directed at The Second City Training Center in both Chicago, and Los Angeles.

Thomas has been a member of The AMDA Improv Department for 13 years. He can be seen performing live with The Greene Boozer Elixir.

is a nonprofit dedicated to supporting people of color through grief and end of life with safe, culturally-sensitive, and expert-informed resources. We offer digital and in-person resources and programming serving individuals, companies, and deathcare professionals.

Host or Publisher PAUSE