Cleaning in the House of Healing

Uplifting the Voices of Those who Clean in Hospitals

I’ve seen it all and I’ve cleaned it all” – Constance Turner

A New Film – Available for screenings and workshops

“You have shown us that cleaning is love. Cleaning is a gift from you to all of us.” – Audience member

Cleaning in the House of Healing is 42-minute film that shines a light on the often overlooked and undervalued health care professionals who do the essential work of keeping hospitals clean and safe. The film is based on the original Theater of Witness production by Teya Sepinuck with six environmental service workers who clean in hospital trauma bays, operating rooms, emergency departments and patient rooms. With dignity and poetry, they share their personal life stories as well as their experiences and emotions after cleaning in a hospital setting following trauma, violence, illness and care. Their stories are moving and universal.

The film addresses issues of equity and partnership, as well as the power of resilience to overcome trauma. The film reminds audiences of our shared humanity and the power of bearing witness to each other’s life experiences. It invites empathy and connection. While it is particularly suited for health care students and professionals to learn about the lives of those who are often the least visible within the health care system, it also will inspire the general public.

Original stage production produced, written and directed by: Teya Sepinuck
Film directed by Dax Roggio
Music by: Niyonu Spann

Lead funding for Cleaning in the House of Healing project is provided by The William Penn Foundation

Cleaning in the House of Healing Offerings:

Film Screening Followed by Q&A with Director and Performers (60–90 min)

Facilitated Workshops with Film Excerpts and Performers
Especially suited in health care settings for other environmental service workers, healthcare students and staff. This is an opportunity for participant reflection. (60–90 min)

Experiential Workshops with artistic director Teya Sepinuck, based on film excerpts
This workshop invites participants to engage in reflection, creative exercises, and group connection using Theater of Witness methodology along with the screening of selected film excerpts. Participants will be encouraged to ‘find the medicine’ in their own stories as well as experience their common humanity. (90–120 min)

For more information about pricing:
Contact Teya Sepinuck
Email teya@theaterofwitness.org
215 680-047

What Audiences Are Saying

With “Cleaning in the House of Healing” you have created a work of art that opens the human heart and unites us all.

It makes hospitals true places of healing. I’m so moved.

I walked out feeling uplifted

These wonderful people took us for a walk in their shoes with such dignity and purpose.

Meet the Performers

Theater of Witness is excited to introduce you to Constance, Gloria, El-Shara, Jerome, Nicole,and Shamona – the performers in “Cleaning in the House of Healing.” All of them have been cleaning since they were young. They’ve been doing the invisible but essential work that most of us don’t want to see. Some of them grew up cleaning for elderly neighbors and family, others in stadiums, on city streets, and/or in hotels. They all became Environmental Service Workers (EVS) in hospitals where they have stories of cleaning in trauma bays, patient rooms, doctor’s offices, and emergency departments. As Constance Turner has said, “I’ve seen it all and I’ve cleaned it all”.