Let the Phoenix Rise!

Research suggests children who are repeatedly abused, or are abused by a member of their immediate family, are at higher risk of attempting suicide in later life.This truncated scene of Carmen's plight from Let the Phoenix Rise! aims to convey the impact of early childhood trauma through a flashback she has of her father beating and molesting her. A mythical Blessed Mother, embodying remnants of her Yaya and MerDiosa bears witness to her pain. Carmen's post-traumatic sequelae culminates in suicide.


Rev. Sheri Heller, LCSW is the creator of the Sistah Tribe - Phoenix Project, a therapeutic theater event consisting of performance, debriefing and comprehensive workshops designed to inspire and encourage healing for at-risk underserved women and girls plagued by histories of childhood trauma, neglect, and abuse.