Pamela Sackett, founder of Emotion Literacy Advocates™, uses words and personal expression to illustrate the essential role language plays in relationship to feelings and behavior. Skilled in the art of story-telling through theatrical monologue, rhythmic prose and song as a means to inspire, teach and entertain, Sackett's work has found its way into international literary and dramatic arts venues, as well as academic, therapeutic and social service settings.

Photo: Bill Zama

With her eclectic writing and performing background and her facility to give voice to emotional truths, Sackett's unique synthesis took root in her work designing plays and monologues for special populations, professional actors and students. Crazy in the Mainstream, a play based on the lives of six mentally and emotionally ill people, was facilitated by Washington Alliance for the Mentally Ill. Count Me In, a play designed for twenty-eight Garfield High School drama students and Trigger of Light based on her work with kids in the King County Youth Detention Facility were funded by Seattle Repertory Theatre's Education and Outreach program.

Her series of four monologue books, Two Minutes To Shine: Thirty Potent New Monologues for the Auditioning Actor, are published and internationally distributed by Samuel French, New York. Sackett's first book of rhythmic prose titled Speak of the Ghost: In The Name of Emotion Literacy is distributed through Emotion Literacy Advocates. Arnold Mindell, author and originator of process-oriented psychology says of Speak of the Ghost, "...you will find everyone on trial, caught and transformed." Mary LeLoo, editor of Journey, says "Pamela uses poetry as I believe it is meant to be used: articulately and precisely, wielding the power of emotional truth, one syllable at a time." Her latest book, a memoir/humor release from ELA, is Saving The World Solo.

As ELA's artistic director, Pamela created and produced ELSOTA! (Emotion Literacy School ON THE AIR), ELA's flagship learning program, a series of radio vignettes with a 16-page emotion literacy study guide. A creative catalyst for social-emotional learning, ELSOTA! is enjoying its inclusion as part of Seattle Public School District's health education curriculum since 2002 and has been featured on public affairs radio programs.

Sponsors of Pamela's work--using her expressive art, public workshops and community dialogue to foster emotion literacy--include the Innovations in Arts and Health Symposium, Nelson and District Arts Council (Canada), Kutenai Art Therapy Institute, Kootenay College of the Arts at Selkirk College, the Family Policy Council of Washington, The International Human Learning Resource Network, The Permanente Journal, Seattle Public School District's Health Education Department, Powerful Schools, Cornish College of The Arts, Americorps, "Teen Talk" on KKNW 1150 AM, Warm 106.9's "Exceptional Women," Seniors Making Art, Elliott Bay Book Company, Seattle Counselors Association, Seattle University, University of Washington, Antioch University, The National Association for Women in Psychology, The Institute for Integral Development, North Rehabilitation Facility, Overlake High School, The Bush School, Garfield High School, Alder Academy for At-Risk Youth, Olympia's KAOS Radio, Safeplace Women's Shelter Services, Inc., The Matt Talbot Center and The Richard Hugo House.

Pamela earned her Bachelor of Arts degree from Antioch University, Seattle, and trained with Jonathan Fox, the originator of Playback Theatre, in upstate New York. The Seattle Arts Commission, Weeden Foundation, The Forum Foundation, Parent Teacher Student Association, King County Arts Commission, US West and the Metropolitan Arts Commission of Portland are among the organizations that have awarded her grants.