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

“Cleaning in the House of Healing” is 42 minute film of our latest Theater of Witness production created and performed with six Environmental Service Workers who clean in hospital settings post-trauma, violence, illness, and care.

Often overlooked and undervalued, this production and film, shine a light on the people who do the essential work of keeping hospitals clean and safe. The performers share their personal life stories as well as the impact that cleaning in the hospital has on them. The original production from which this film is based was created and directed by Teya Sepinuck, with music by Niyonu Spann and cinematic imagery by Dax Roggio.

The film is created by Dax Roggio of Packafoma Philms.

Lead support for Cleaning in the House of Healing is provided by the William Penn Foundation.

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”.