Category: Workshops

We spent two and a half days at our annual big D&D event at Shoreditch Town Hall discussing ‘What are we going to do about theatre and the performing arts’.

Our lovely makers this year were Stephanie, Esme, Ben, Taisiya, Kylie, Zoë, Mayou, Stephen, Margarita, You-ri, Rachael, Stella, Claudia, Tilly, Matt, Angela, Amelia, Mary, Mikey, Michael, Nina, Regina, Marit, Hahna and Ali.

We made 25 dolls. Ben brought a pillow, we are running out of dreams atm so pillows are very welcome, thank you so much Ben.

Beatrice made a drawing of the project and later on got inspired by the needle quote by Louise Bourgeois brought by Michael. Thank you so much Beatrice, it’s such a beautiful artwork.

‘Dreams and a Heart is the meditative respite of life (not just D&D). It is one of the most precious gifts one can give to oneself (or receive from Regina). That of time, openness, honest talk, love, community, therapy, meditation. Love you!’ ‘

‘My third doll. The moment to connect, the possibility of conversations, the doll holding space for my spaces, the allowing of consciousness and body, embodied joy in dreams with a heart, thank you, Regina.’

‘It was a joy to be given the space to sit, talk, meditate and contemplate the nature of dreams, and to put a physical dream into the world.’ 

‘This was a beautiful, supportive and meditative experience, the conversation flowed very easily due to Regina’s calm guidance and the fact we were keeping our hands busy filling the dolls with dreams. A calm circle in a busy world.’

‘Thank you for a wonderful moment of creating. I am feeling very emotional and overwhelmed today and my heart and my dreams are confusing me. It was lovely to have some time to sit with them.’ 

‘Good to remember what lies within us and hold us up – a good night sleep and all the dreams.’ 

‘Regina, thank you for welcoming me to this doll making circle. My doll had a head that bent to the side – which resembled the attitude of listening. This was significant to me because my current interest is modes of listening and also sound art installations.’ 

‘Making a doll was such a grounding experience – I love working/creating with my hands and focusing on the task was so meditative. And a great chance to have conversation with those working with me. I felt so relaxed after the meditation and so proud of my doll!’  

‘It felt peaceful and quietly joyful to make this doll for the second time. Placing ‘dream’ into its body…sometimes with no thoughts at all, and sometimes with many. During the meditation I felt as though I placed my heartbeat into the doll and it began to live in my hands. It was really profound experience. Thank you Regina. Now the doll I made will become one among thousands.’ 

‘I got overwhelmed with meaningful exciting conversations I found in this maker’s corner. What a time. We wed together discarded materials. It’s exactly what I appreciate a lot and do as an artist. It was a great experience. I loved learning Regina’s style of facilitating and the way she gave instructions, so educating. Also I took part in a major project as a result which is a strong felling. Thank you.’

‘Thank you for creating such a relaxing and therapeutic activity. Thank you for letting me hold my dreams in my hands. Thank you for letting me be creative amongst new people. Thank you Thank you Thank you!’ 

‘I met some beautiful people while I sat making a doll. We spoke about Regina’s Dreams and a heart project – listening to how it began- and I feel like I am part of something special. My heart is now connected to this project.’ 

‘My life force spread through the world that so needs love, peace. Thank you.’ 

‘It was so soothing to work so tactilely and to feel like I’ve created a little life. Thank you for such a calming, instructive and enriching experience.’ 

‘Thank you so much for this. It was very calming and grounding. Much needed!’ 

‘A very restful meditative process. An easy metaphor to understand. No formal skills required and therefore very democratic – everyone can dream.’ 

‘Really relaxing and Regina is very comforting. Was nice to take a minute and think in a busy space.’ 

‘Making a doll today was such an uplifting experience. Meeting Regina brought a big smile to my heart. Thank you for spreading joy and connection through your lovely little dolls.’ 

‘Lost threads, found heart, grounding, calming, relaxing, regulating. I am here. I am safe. Comfort. Candy floss. Build-a-bear antidote. Don’t be the pin (the aggressor), be the needle (the healer). Thank you for guiding us.’ My doll’s name is Deep Blue Okay.’

‘I never found it easy to operate in public or groups. This D&D reminded me one of the first D&D I attended ( probably ten years ago). It would not have been possible for me to talk, contribute to the groups and circles had it not been for Regina’s dolls. Making a doll while listening to others speak somehow deepen my understanding and gave me the freedom to also chat, share, interact, shedding all shyness and impostor syndrome. Thank you for making and sharing ideas and then sitting still to meditate and reflect. Grateful, love.’ 

 ‘Good balance between challenge and easy – get me engaged.’ 

‘I felt that I am part of a ritual that is sacred, coming from a secret into the heart, my pulse beats in time with my breath, these dreams, this heart, full inside the cloth body ready to join the community of other dream- filled heart full heart beings.’ 

I feel really moved by how wonderful are the moments we spend together making dolls. I am infinitely grateful for all the generous makers I’m SO lucky to spend time with. A heartfelt Thank You to all of you!

Improbable

3 April 

Maybe you want to come but you’re a bit shy? That’s ok

Regina Mendes @dreamsandaheart invites you to D&D2026.

Devoted and Disgruntled has always been about the people, and theatre and the performing arts, but really about the people. It’s a space to find your community, share and build connections that can last beyond the weekend. So why don’t you come along and be amongst your tribe?

To read Regina’s full invitation or to get your tickets visit: https://www.devotedanddisgruntled.com/…/devoted…

Devoted and Disgruntled

2-4 May 2026

Shoreditch Town Hall

Image: Corinne Cumming

Last Sunday we met in Alto da Lapa, São Paulo, with Maria, Ricardo, Clara, Inacio, Marcio, Zuza, Martin, Evelyn, Bel, Helio, Camila and Luiza.

We spent a lovely time engaged in our activity surrounded by fun conversations. We made 12 dolls. When we finished our session a delicious meal was waiting for us. 

‘Dreams, dreams, and more dreams to sustain the body and cradle the beating heart.’

‘I felt very well, focused on filling my doll with dreams. All the actions contain cool metaphors related to life and the dreamland.’ 

‘Phrases we don’t usually hear: A dreaming groin. A groin without dream can’t keep anyone standing. A heart fell on the ground. My heart disappeared. It takes a lot of dreams to keep us standing.’ 

‘The collective comes to mind. The act of doing brings us to the present moment. The experience that connects us to one another. I am you being me.’

‘Building together with patience, tranquility and rhythm, resulting in a collective construction that is greater than here and now.’

‘My doll has no pulse’ ‘If it has it, let me know and I’ll run.’

‘It was a lot of fun. I felt a connection with the other makers.’

‘I had never sewn before. It was cool and strange. Over time I started to feel my pulse.’ 

‘Jorge, the doll’s name, saphenous bypass, in good shape, inguinal hernia (the doctor was a crook, he didn’t need surgery).’ 

I’m really grateful to all makers that in addition to the dolls they donated five pillows for the project. I’m specially  grateful  to Maria and Ricardo who invited us and organised everything with such care, Thank You! 

Our 184 dolls made in 8 villages in north Italy. 

Susegana 61, Zero Branco 20, Campolongo di Conegliano 11, Pordenone 25, San Martino di Colle Umberto 10, Este Padova 20, Santa Lúcia di Piave 10 e Vittorio Veneto 29. 

They were gradually growing in number throughout three weeks. Every night, when I was sleeping, they played around the room. Last day all of them jumped on the bed. 

This dream tour happened thanks to brilliant theatre makers Michele and Margherita who run Progetto Teatro X Tutti. 

There are no words to say how much I’m grateful for all wonderful makers we met in all villages, for Margherita, Michele, Simone, Filippo, Lahire, Silvia, Antonella and Claudio who opened their homes, their groups and their hearts for us, we were welcome every single day with joy. 

You are magic people, we love you a lot and you are and will always be in my heart.

Thank You!

Our last workshop was in Vittorio Veneto where we worked with gruppo scout, a big group of children and four adults who helped me to deal with their huge excitement for three hours.

I finished their 29 newborns – closed the holes in their legs – later at home.

In Santa Lucia di Piave we worked again with Progetto Teatro X Tutti. The group was really interested to talk about the project Dreams and a Heart, we spent long time talking about it.

Our third week began in Este Padova at Teatro Dei Filodrammatici. We had two sessions with Associazione Carpe Diem, Lahire’s theatre groups.

It was our first time ever on stage what made me really happy. I guess the space inspired us to work with profound focus, there was a beautiful  vibe.

Second week started in San Martino di Colle Umberto organised by Radio Caldaia and Centro Giovani.