Hidden Heroes

"Hidden Heroes" original mixed media by Ellen O’Leary, C.S.J.

Both a dramatic performance and awards presentation, Hidden Heroes gives witness to the service and action by university colleagues and partners that traditionally goes unseen. Honorees’ stories are shared in a dramatic narrative performance, a genre of theatre also known as verbatim theatre. Honorees are matched with playwrights who, through one or more interviews, develop a story using the honoree’s own words. That story is then brought to life on stage (or screen) by a company of actors and artists.

Honorees are also presented with a tile of original art by Ellen O’Leary, C.S.J. commissioned specifically for Hidden Heroes. The piece (pictured) expresses gratitude to those who have “blessed our planet”, in Ellen’s words, with the tapestry of their lives. And yet, the tapestry remains unfinished.

Both the tile and title of the award, Hidden Heroes, is an expression of the charism of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Orange – to serve the dear neighbor without distinction – a tradition of ministry that began in 1650 with a commission of Jean-Pierre Medaille, S.J. for women to go into the neighborhood and respond to the needs of people.