Camilla Forte/Borderless Magazine/Catchlight Local/Report for AmericaA theater troupe is bringing an interactive puppet show to Chicago’s South and West Side parks this month, encouraging people to learn more about how trees impact community health.
On a Tuesday evening in July, members of the theater troupe, Free Street, unloaded a U-Haul in Sherman Park for a rehearsal of their play, “Touch Grass.”
Its contents?
An art piece called the “chisme tree,” or “gossip tree,” a small house and a 12-foot-tall puppet tree.
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“Touch Grass” is an interactive 15-minute production performed across five of Chicago’s South and West side parks to raise awareness about how trees and green spaces can benefit communities.
“What I hope that [the audience] gets is an opportunity to reconnect with the Earth and the parks that do belong to the people, to feel the simplicity of that,” said Katrina Dion, Free Street’s producing artistic director.
Founded in 1969, Free Street is focused on uplifting the issues of social justice, racial equality and environmental justice through their performances, Dion said.
“The intersections of [racial and economic justice in Chicago] with environmental justice were extremely clear to us, along with the real urgency to make environmental changes on the South and West sides,” she said.
A 2024 study found that neighborhoods in Chicago with higher proportions of Hispanic residents are associated with smaller and fewer parks, which are essential for recovering from the impacts of climate change. Green spaces can often lower temperature, improve air quality and absorb floodwater, Borderless Magazine previously reported.
Part of Free Street’s commitment to environmental justice is their involvement with the Morton Arboretum Tree Ambassador program. The program focuses its efforts on providing Chicago community groups with training and resources to request trees to be planted in their neighborhoods and educate others of the importance of trees through workshops and events.
Free Street became a part of the Tree Ambassador program in January as part of their newest cohort.
“Tree Ambassadors are able to engage directly with community members and meet them where they are, as well as help them understand how beneficial trees are not only now but also as an investment in the future,” Hilary Noble, tree ambassador program specialist at the Morton Arboretum said in an email to Borderless.
At a time where everyone is inside on their digital devices, performer Alex Lee Reed says “Touch Grass” is an opportunity for the crew and audience to be outside and unplug.
“For me, I think it’s more about release,” Reed said. “Letting ourselves just be with nature, letting our nervous system calm down a little bit. And, if the audience then moves on to thinking about seeding the future, [that is a] great bonus.”
Longtime fan of Free Street and an audience member at the debut performance of “Touch Grass,” Darek Lau, shared this sentiment.
“It invites people to literally touch grass,” they said. “Be rooted in their present moment, and also connect that back to childlike wonder.”
“Touch Grass” will continue performances throughout parks on Chicago’s South and West sides until the end of July.
Tara Mobasher is Borderless Magazine’s newsletter writer and reporter. Email Tara at [email protected]
Camilla Forte is a CatchLight fellow and Report for America Corps Member covering immigrant communities for Borderless Magazine. Email Camilla at [email protected]
