A Broken House Discussion Guide

This guide is an invitation to dialogue. It is based on a belief in the power of human connection and designed for people who want to use A Broken House to engage family, friends, classmates, colleagues, and communities. In contrast to initiatives that foster debates in which participants try to convince others that they are right, this document envisions conversations undertaken in a spirit of openness in which people try to understand one another and expand their thinking by sharing viewpoints and listening actively.

The discussion prompts are intentionally crafted to help a wide range of audiences think more deeply about the issues in the film. Rather than attempting to address them all, choose one or two that best meet your needs and interests. And be sure to leave time to consider taking action. Planning next steps can help people leave the room feeling energized and optimistic, even in instances when conversations have been difficult.

Kimmothy Cole is an educator, activist, organizer and multi-disciplinary artist based in so-called Austin, TX. Their work has been featured in festivals, conferences, venues and events across the United States. Their use of deep community building and the development of shared culture serves them in the work of ritual activism. They currently work as the Director of Family Ministries for Servant Church Austin, working with families and staff in imagining intergenerational points of connection for spiritual growth. Their upcoming book The Rooted Ritual is a ritual resource for creating ritual in community and their latest ritual performance piece The Sacrament of Fatness(working title) is set to premier in late 2021 or early 2022.