RA-1033: DANCING DIVERSITY: INTERPLAY MULTI-CULTURAL INTERPLAY What role does the body have in social change and multicultural peacemaking? Are art and creativity mere tools of peace making? Are the secrets of dance ready to be unleashed for the healing of the nations? How is play a radical point for reconnecting diverse peoples? Diversity is a body deal. Balancing experience, presentation and theological reflection, this course introduces the tools, philosophy and practice of InterPlay, a process oriented, body wisdom method used in multicultural settings including prisons, schools, shelters, recovery programs, art programs, youth work, hospices, cancer treatment, performance, retreats, churches, and organizations. Using step by step community practices that help us remember our four powers: our stories, movement, stillness, and voice we will research seven vital pieces of body wisdom that teach how to 1)create ease; 2)notice and claim individual truths; 3)create grace rather than disgrace; 4)affirm small cultures of which we are a part; 5)witness, affirm and be affirmed; 6)recognize our naturally diverse body styles of creating; 7)be present to our bodyspirit about how to create successful movements toward peace and reconciliation.