The Rhizome Theater Company at the National Neurotrauma Society Symposium 2019

New for NNS 2019, we incorporate an audio documentarian approach to draw out key features of function, disability, and research advocacy related to neurotrauma.  

The Rhizome Theater Company will use its unique community folklore collection and sharing methods to:

1. Engage in a dynamic series of interviews with NNS members and attendees
2. Engage in stakeholder discussions on function, research, and advocacy for neurotrauma related disability
3. Present their reflections with live, interactive presentations that embody and echo the voices of our members and attendees.

A core Rhizome Theater Company deliverable will be a lasting compendium of “Voices of NNS,” including audio interviews/oral histories of a wide variety, arranged and edited into a series of thematic vignettes in audio and written format for the NNS archives. This compendium will support scientific programming, research advocacy on function, disability advocacy, and societal capacity building and outreach activities for the NNS going forward. The member point of view informational resource will contribute to white paper publication deliverables intended to advance focus on function in precision medicine research, education, advocacy and training.

About Rhizome Theater Company

The Rhizome Theater Company, co-founded by Kyle Berlin and Ashlin Hatch, provides a unique form of community folklore collection and sharing through audio and written documentary. They are able to achieve this by immersing themselves into the community and listening to the motivations, passions and different perspectives from its members. Documentary vignettes created by Rhizome represent and emphasize common core themes that define each community. By facilitating the spread of knowledge, Rhizome strives to provide greater community awareness and empathy.

Kyle Berlin, Co-Founder

Ashlin Hatch, Co-Founder

Why are we incorporating this into Neurotrauma 2019?

The National Neurotrauma Society seeks to accelerate the research that will provide answers for clinicians and ultimately advance the care and cure of those that endured a traumatic brain or spinal cord injury. Our diverse neurotrauma community includes health care providers, scientists, advocates, industry partners, and patients. Given our diversity, we would benefit from understanding the core motivations and critical drivers underlying our shared goals.

Rhizome Theater Company will help us achieve this by engaging with our attendees to document different points of view in order to extract common core themes. For NNS 2019, the scientific program addresses the neurobiological concept of function after neurotrauma, where the meaning of function may differ for those focused on TBI, SCI, and peripheral nerve injury. By collecting the ‘Voices of NNS,’ individual and collective interpretations of function will be presented in an interactive theatrical style and collected in audio and written formats. By better understanding the core motivations of our members and attendees, NNS can position itself to advance education and advocacy for neurotrauma.

What will Rhizome Theater Company do at NNS 2019?

• Solicit short answers and reflections on a series of prepared questions to engage NNS 2019 attendees prior to the symposium.
• Engage in stakeholder discussion. The meeting program includes round table discussions facilitated by stakeholders on topics addressing the meaning of function, precision medicine, and advocacy.
• Engage in a series of freeform interviews with NNS members, keynote speakers, and attendees.
• Attend, engage, and observe the symposium program events to reflect on firsthand experiences with the society.
• Compile a lasting compendium of “voices of NNS,” including audio interviews/oral histories of a wide variety, arranged and edited into a series of thematic vignettes in audio and written format for the NNS archives.
• Culminate their onsite work with live, interactive presentations that embody and echo the voices of members and NNS 2019 attendees.

How can NNS members and Neurotrauma 2019 attendees get involved?

1. Look out for emails and social media posts with specific questions on what NNS means to you and your definition of function
2. Participate in the daily "What Does Function Mean to Me?" Roundtable discussions
3. Share reflections on function, NNS, and research through the mobile app and suggestion box
4. Attend the social events, including the Heinz History Dinner to be part of the community atmosphere
5. Stay for the Celebration of Function closing event - a live presentation of the ‘Voices of NNS
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How to Register for Ticketed Events

1. Login to your NNS Account
2. Click the blue Registration Webshop button in the middle of your member login home page to enter the Webshop
3. Scroll down through the menu items until you locate the workshop you wish to attend, then add it to your cart.
4. Proceed to Checkout and submit your payment to confirm your attendance.