One of Fillipo’s groups had already made dolls before so we run a handwriting workshop having the relationship with the dolls as their inspiration for the main character of the play.
We were working in a theatre school so I called it playwriting but actually it can be called creative writing as any style of writing is welcome – novel, poetry, playwriting, memoir – any style that you are inspired to write by the doll.
They worked individually, in couples and in group, in relationship with their chosen dolls, through observation and body movements. They took notes the entire session and at the end they wrote a short story/play which could be the beginning of something bigger developed later at home.
‘These dolls made our imagination soar. It was precisely my doll’s imperfections that made it unique and let my mind flies. If one of my ‘Armando’s’ legs hadn’t been a little longer than the other I would never invented the short story about a farmer with a passion for dancing. I also loved interacting with my classmates, with our final dance circle we joined our souls with those of our dolls. Thank you Regina for this moving experience.’
‘Yesterday was beautiful. Choosing the initial doll marked the beginning of an incredible introspective journey. The meditation combined with inner reflection helped me understand myself and the bond with my little doll. In the end, the text reflects our most intimate inner sides and also allowed me to better understand my companions. I recommend experiencing this with Regina at least once in a life time.’
‘I loved all my friends’ stories. Time flew extremely fast and I had so much fun. We shared our thoughts and dreams, the pure parte of ourselves, it was emotional. I noticed that we all wrote about love, friendship, human and animal rights.’
‘I did enjoy to write a story and, above all, the moment when we shared our stories and stayed together. It was also interesting to see how everyone reacted differently to the same stimulus. Thank you very much for this beautiful evening and for the activity.’
‘Engaging, stimulating, creative, relaxing and though-provoking. I enjoyed when at the end we read our stories to Regina.’
I feel that working with a doll made by other makers gives us the chance to connect with them. Somehow our words can reveal something about them as much as about us.
The words coming out of our hands are magical exactly like the dolls are.
Some beautiful profound stories were created and shared within the group. I am glad the dolls helped to unlock such precious words/worlds.
Thank you for being so open for the experience and a big thank you to Filippo for sharing his group with us once more. Thank you all!
I was really happy to be invited again by Compagnia di Arti e Mestieri to run workshops at their theatre school. We run a doll- making session with one of Filippo’s groups.
It was a great pleasure to meet this new group. I am grateful to all for collaborating to the project and a huge thank you to Filippo who shared his group with me, we had a lovely time together.
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!
This year we installed 367 dolls. They were Italian, Brazilian and British dolls-actors representing the dolls made during 10 years in 42 D&D satellites run in the UK.
The original dolls are now mixed up in the middle of thousands of others and they don’t remember where they were born so it is quite impossible to find them. The dolls-actors chosen to represent the actual dolls were over the moon to embark in this great adventure in Shoreditch Town Hall.
They were at the balcony observing us the whole two days and a half event. They loved when people looked at them, smiled and sent them love. They also loved to listen to many inspiring conversations and important gossips. Now, at home, they can’t stop sharing everything with the others. I know it will take some time for them to calm down.
For now I am keeping the 25 newborns safe and calm apart from their big siblings but soon they are going to play all together. Atm the babies are discovering the surroundings of their new home.
The dolls asked me to thank Varshini for inviting them and giving them the time of their lives! Thanks Varshi.
Also a huge thank you to all D&D team for the hard work to organise the event and all the love you always give to all of us. This year this love was also translated into the D&D Magic Pot which created money to support an artist randomly. The artist in residency in the Artic got the money and he has been rejected several times by the art funds.
The work you develop within the community is incredible and I feel super mega blessed to know all of you. Thank You!
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?
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!
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.
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.
