Inspired her work with ACEs, resilience and Walla Walla’s Community Resilience Initiative, documentary-film director Amy L. Erickson created Visceral: transforming trauma though theatre, which has its first screening at the 5^th Annual “Beyond Paper Tigers” conference June 24-25, 2020.  The film features a number of Walla Walla residents, including Etiene Vela, a student at Walla Walla Community College (WWCC), whose life is transformed by performing in WWCC productions with Kevin Loomer, and as a student at Lincoln High School, with Erica “Riki” Wauchek. 

All three are featured in excerpts from this Q&A session about Visceral, with Erickson and CRI Founder & Board President, Teri Barila, which took place as part of the conference.

"Visceral" features experts on trauma including Stephen Porges, PhD; Gabor Mate, MD; Bessel van der Kolk, MD, and Michael McBride, MD. Also featured are a number of theatre professionals who speak about the ways that acting, singing, and dancing have helped Etiene, and the film’s other subjects Carissa, Jon and Charlie, as they experience a release from trauma's grip through self- and co-regulation, social engagement and connection with others onstage, and off.

 Erickson, a former Walla Walla resident, is thrilled to premiere Visceral in Walla Walla. “This is where the journey of making this documentary began. I’m grateful to the many individuals who made it possible for me to make this film.”