RECIPE SHARED

This project is funded by a grant from Arts and Society. In order to learn and grow, we need your help!

To help, please fill out the short audience survey to give us feedback on your RECIPE SHARED experience:

About

Recipe Shared is a digital ‘docu-memory’ series inspired by the real-life interviews of seniors living in Denver’s eastside neighborhoods. Each story explores, in different ways, recipes for community. The short films combine interview transcripts, audio recordings, historical research, satire, movement, dance, and theatre to honor neighborhood histories through the personal stories of its residents.

To create Recipe Shared, Artibus met with seniors (through digital platforms) who were particularly isolated by Covid-19. The team conducted interviews and offered creative companionship. As originally envisioned, the goal was to produce a live theatrical performance together. Due to ongoing COVID restrictions, the project pivoted to film, which you are now accessing, right here!

A person holding a photograph in front of a stone building with text reading 'Zion Baptist Church.' The photograph shows two people; one is standing with a serving plate behind another who is seated. Part of a sign with 'Denver' is visible on the bui
Two people standing and gesturing with their hands in conversation near a doorway, one wearing a shirt with an illustration of a person with an afro.
Three people in a classroom setting. One person is standing in front of a chalkboard with writing about 'To Kill a Mockingbird.' Two others are seated, talking to each other.
A woman smiling and pointing upward inside a room, with a framed botanical artwork on the wall and a lamp nearby.
Collage of vintage and modern photos depicting various African American individuals, a woman wearing a colorful headscarf, an image of the Northeast Women's Center, and a Christmas gathering with children and adults.
Three people standing indoors, each with one hand pointing at their opposite hand, against a background of shelves and boxes.
Person's hands held open over a table with a lamp and several books, including one titled 'Black Power Afterlives.' A paper with a black panther drawing is also present.
Four people are in a room with boxes and shelves. A man with a hat plays guitar while three others stand and dance. The setting has an industrial feeling with visible pipes and ducts.
Two men sitting on a park bench, engaged in conversation and laughing, with a grassy area and trees in the background.
Person with closed eyes hugging themselves, standing outside. Background features a colorful mural on a brick building.
Two people indoors, one man in a cap and shirt applying hand sanitizer, and a woman looking on.
Hands spread over various photographs on a lace tablecloth.
Two people having a discussion in a meeting room, with a bulletin board displaying notes and a table with books and refreshments in the background.
Woman tasting food from bowl in a kitchen with a large pot on the stove.
Person holding a plate of food in a kitchen, wearing an apron and smiling.
Woman standing on a balcony smiling and waving with both hands, wearing glasses, a black top, and gray pants.
House with "For Sale By Owner" sign and a smiling couple standing on the porch.
Two men sitting on a park bench, smiling and looking relaxed. One wears a blue patterned shirt and the other a maroon t-shirt. The background includes green grass, trees, and urban surroundings.
Person holding a flyer for a supper club outside a brick apartment building.
A woman holding a framed family portrait featuring four people dressed in formal attire. She is smiling at the picture, with a background of decorative plates and holiday-themed fabric.
Person standing outdoors hugging themselves with a city skyline in the background.
Man in a tan suit and hat gesturing outside a house with another man and woman in the background near a 'Home for Sale' sign.
Man in a park wearing a lab coat holding a microphone with a tape recorder around his neck, two men sitting on a bench in the background.
A group of people in a room, one woman dancing energetically while three others, including a guitarist, observe her. The setting appears industrial with shelves and equipment in the background.

Recipe Cooks

Core Cooks: Buba Basishvili, James Brunt, Nicole Dietze, Meghan Frank, Lynde Rosario

Video Chef: Mary Grace Legg 

Collaborators:  Soul Stories, Megan Williams and Atria Senior Living, Alicia T Smith-Young, Franklin Cruz, Adrienne Martin-Fullwood, Briannah Hill (they/them), and Dane Torbenson

Additional Casting: IDEA Stages 

Website Coordinator: Dhruv Chanchani

Recipe Shared includes stories, audio recordings and transcripts from interviews with Ms. Versa Williams and Ms. Hazel Whitsett of Northeast Park Hill, Denver. We thank them for their generosity and collaboration.

This project was funded in part by a grant from Arts in Society.

In Memory

This project is dedicated to the memory of Frank Smith, who passed away from COVID in January of 2021, and was one of our interveiwees.

The Cast

CAST: James Brunt, Fronzo D. Gilkey, Kenyan James Bernard, James Thompson, Alex Romberg, Aaron Vieyra, Jeannene Bragg, Brianna Angela Sanchez Sisneros, Nicole Dietze, Roslyn Washington, Camryn Nailah, Tiya Trent, Zamira Webster, Daveon Webster, Niema Cruz Davis, Lisa Engelken, Elias Garcia, Kid Astronaut, Dane Torbenson, Alicia T Smith-Young, Franklin Cruz, Adrienne Martin-Fullwood, Buba Basishvili, and Meghan Frank.

Special Thanks

The Recipe Shared core cooks want to especially thank Danny Mazur and Shelsea Ochea at Soul Stories, Dhruv Chanchani, Megan Williams and Atria Senior Living Center, Denver Metro Community Impact, Darcie Ezell for introducing us to neighbors for interviews, and Natacha Dominique and the Dahlia Campus for Health and Well-Being for granting us access to their gardens for filming. Special thanks also to Yolanda Gottier, director of the Aging Mastery Program at the Center for African American Health, Jeff Fard and Brother Jeff’s Cultural Center for allowing us to film at the center, and Jeff Campbell of Emancipation Theater Company, Mark Pergola, and the Theatricians for offering resources, encouragement and guidance along the way.

Thanks to everyone interviewed, including Loretta V. Smith, Jewel Gaskin, Harold Newman, Carlos Castañeda, James Roy III, Beverly Grant, Debora Montoya, Frank Smith, Cherie Shaw-Robinson, Jim Cronin, David Cronin, and Andrew Lefkowits.

The Process

Core Cooks conducted neighborhood interviews that became inspiration for the final performance . The question often started, “What is your Recipe for Community?"

Core Cooks conducted neighborhood interviews that became inspiration for the final performance . The question often started, “What is your Recipe for Community?"

Art-pal (one-on-one) online weekly exchanges with artists and seniors. Pictured is a “Create a Story” session.

Art-pal (one-on-one) online weekly exchanges with artists and seniors. Pictured is a “Create a Story” session.

Hazel Whitsett of Northeast Park Hill, who ran the Northeast Women’s Center for many years, waves from her balcony for the final film.

Hazel Whitsett of Northeast Park Hill, who ran the Northeast Women’s Center for many years, waves from her balcony for the final film.

“What does Care look like?” - Artibus explored the theme of care in online workshops for Atria Senior Living Staff and Caretakers durring the months of isolated caregiving due to Covid.

“What does Care look like?” - Artibus explored the theme of care in online workshops for Atria Senior Living Staff and Caretakers durring the months of isolated caregiving due to Covid.

Interview with Ms. Hazel Whitsett who ran the Northeast Women’s Center for over 30 years.

Interview with Ms. Hazel Whitsett who ran the Northeast Women’s Center for over 30 years.

Artibus story workshop lead by Nicholle Harris and James Brunt for the Center of African American Health “Aging Mastery” Co-hort

Artibus story workshop lead by Nicholle Harris and James Brunt for the Center of African American Health “Aging Mastery” Co-hort

The Core Cooks met every week for six months (Lynde Rosario, Meghan Frank, James Brunt, Buba Basishvili, Nicole Dietze)

The Core Cooks met every week for six months (Lynde Rosario, Meghan Frank, James Brunt, Buba Basishvili, Nicole Dietze)

COVID-CREATIVE interactive performances for at Atria Senior Living.

COVID-CREATIVE interactive performances for at Atria Senior Living.

Soul Stories Online live-stream “RECIPE for Community: Stories From Denver's Past” facilitated by Franklin Cruz with community elders Carlos Castañeda, Beverly Grant, and Debora Montoya.

Soul Stories Online live-stream “RECIPE for Community: Stories From Denver's Past” facilitated by Franklin Cruz with community elders Carlos Castañeda, Beverly Grant, and Debora Montoya.

RECIPE SHARED filming took place in May of 2021. Mary Grace Legg was the Video Chef.

RECIPE SHARED filming took place in May of 2021. Mary Grace Legg was the Video Chef.

Two people working on an artistic wooden installation on an outdoor wall, while a third person films them with a camera on a tripod. The installation features variously colored wooden pieces arranged in a geometric pattern.

Two people working on an artistic wooden installation on an outdoor wall, while a third person films them with a camera on a tripod. The installation features variously colored wooden pieces arranged in a geometric pattern.

Three people having a discussion in a room set up for a filmed meeting or workshop. One person is seated, wearing a mask, and another is gesturing with their hands. A photographer is in the background, capturing the scene.

Three people having a discussion in a room set up for a filmed meeting or workshop. One person is seated, wearing a mask, and another is gesturing with their hands. A photographer is in the background, capturing the scene.

A group of people wearing masks standing outside a veterinary clinic called Park Hill Vet, interacting with each other.

A group of people wearing masks standing outside a veterinary clinic called Park Hill Vet, interacting with each other.

Two people sitting outside a building with large windows, wearing face masks and holding cups. They are seated on chairs next to a small table with boxes, a bag, and a plastic container. The background shows a street with houses and trees.

Two people sitting outside a building with large windows, wearing face masks and holding cups. They are seated on chairs next to a small table with boxes, a bag, and a plastic container. The background shows a street with houses and trees.

A group of people walking outside a brick school building with purple door and railings. Two women and three children, one in a stroller. Some wear masks. A flagpole with a flag on the left.

A group of people walking outside a brick school building with purple door and railings. Two women and three children, one in a stroller. Some wear masks. A flagpole with a flag on the left.

Film crew recording outdoor scene on a city street with boom mic and camera equipment.

Film crew recording outdoor scene on a city street with boom mic and camera equipment.

Group of people enjoying live music indoors, featuring a man playing guitar.

Group of people enjoying live music indoors, featuring a man playing guitar.

A person in a black outfit stands in front of a mural that reads, "Some say knowledge is power... I say the use of it for good is real power" by Hiawatha Davis Jr.

A person in a black outfit stands in front of a mural that reads, "Some say knowledge is power... I say the use of it for good is real power" by Hiawatha Davis Jr.

Interior of a dimly lit room with people and camera equipment, bright lighting, and shelves with boxes on the side.

Interior of a dimly lit room with people and camera equipment, bright lighting, and shelves with boxes on the side.

People filming an interview with a person in a white coat, camera equipment, and books in the background.

People filming an interview with a person in a white coat, camera equipment, and books in the background.

Three people in a kitchen filming a cooking video with a camera on a tripod.

Three people in a kitchen filming a cooking video with a camera on a tripod.

Community garden with people walking, greenhouse in background, and apartment buildings nearby.

Community garden with people walking, greenhouse in background, and apartment buildings nearby.

Person wearing a black outfit and mask, standing in a greenhouse with hydroponic plants growing on white platforms.

Person wearing a black outfit and mask, standing in a greenhouse with hydroponic plants growing on white platforms.

Man in a white lab coat holding a book, standing in a study with bookshelves and framed artwork.

Man in a white lab coat holding a book, standing in a study with bookshelves and framed artwork.

A group of people in a room with musical equipment; one person is playing a guitar. Others are interacting in a comedic or theatrical manner. There's a camera operator filming the scene. The room has posters on the wall and various items scattered ar

A group of people in a room with musical equipment; one person is playing a guitar. Others are interacting in a comedic or theatrical manner. There's a camera operator filming the scene. The room has posters on the wall and various items scattered around.

Film crew setting up on a set with a camera and boom mic. One person operates the boom mic, wearing headphones and a face mask. Another person holds a script, standing near a corkboard with notes.

Film crew setting up on a set with a camera and boom mic. One person operates the boom mic, wearing headphones and a face mask. Another person holds a script, standing near a corkboard with notes.

Two people at a table with photo scanning setup, one wearing a mask and viewing photographs, the other adjusting a camera positioned above the table.

Two people at a table with photo scanning setup, one wearing a mask and viewing photographs, the other adjusting a camera positioned above the table.

A scene showing three people engaged in a filming session inside a room. A person in black pants and a white t-shirt stands facing another person who is dressed in a black cardigan with light-colored pants. They appear to be in conversation while a t

A scene showing three people engaged in a filming session inside a room. A person in black pants and a white t-shirt stands facing another person who is dressed in a black cardigan with light-colored pants. They appear to be in conversation while a third person, holding a camera, films the interaction. The room is decorated with framed artwork and a lamp on a wooden shelf.