Today we’d like to introduce you to Maria Schaedler-Luera.
Hi Maria, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I was born and raised in Brazil, where storytelling, music, cultural diversity, and community were all part of daily life. From an early age, I was drawn to the expressive power of theater and its ability to spark connection and transformation. That love took me across continents — from classical theater training to studying with Augusto Boal, the founder of Theatre of the Oppressed, whose work taught me that performance can be a powerful tool for healing, social change, and personal agency.
Over the years, I’ve woven together many threads: I’m a theater artist, educator, certified meditation teacher, and Ayurvedic health counselor. I’ve facilitated programs across schools, cultural institutions, and community spaces — always using the arts to bridge gaps, hold space for dialogue, and support mental and emotional wellness.
In 2014, I founded Atomica Arts to bring these practices together under one umbrella. Atomica is rooted in the belief that creative expression is a force for healing and liberation. Through workshops, performances, and community engagement, we help people reconnect with their stories, their bodies, and their power — especially those navigating trauma, transition, or burnout.
Today, I continue to create and facilitate across the U.S. and the world, collaborating with artists, educators, and organizations to build more compassionate, creative, and culturally connected communities. Atomica is more than a business — it’s a living, evolving practice of radical care and creative courage.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
The road has definitely not been smooth — but it’s been rich, humbling, and deeply meaningful. As an immigrant woman artist navigating multiple cultures, languages, and systems, I’ve often had to create my own path. There were times when funding was uncertain, when I felt like my work didn’t quite “fit” in traditional boxes, and when burnout crept in from holding space for others without enough support myself.
Starting a business and dealing with a global pandemic was both a challenge and a calling. I was juggling caregiving, grief, uncertainty — while also trying to launch something new rooted in healing. But those same challenges clarified what matters most: community care, creative resilience, and honest storytelling.
I’ve also had to unlearn a lot — especially the idea that you have to do everything alone. Asking for help, finding collaborators, and prioritizing rest have been essential lessons along the way. Every obstacle has deepened my commitment to building spaces where others can feel seen, supported, and empowered.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
At my core, I’m a storyteller and space-holder. My work lives at the intersection of art, healing, education, and social change. Through Atomica Arts, I design and facilitate experiences that use theater, mindfulness, and creative expression to help people reconnect with themselves, each other, and their communities.
I specialize in what I call arts-based healing and liberation. That includes trauma-informed workshops, interactive performances, professional development for educators, and cultural storytelling projects. I work with people of all ages — from school classrooms to recovery circles to conference rooms — using tools like improvisation, image theatre, roleplay, music, and breath to support emotional resilience and embodied learning.
I’m known for bringing warmth, presence, and a sense of safety into everything I do. As an artist, I’ve performed across genres — from opera to improvisation — and I draw on that range in my facilitation. I’m also a certified meditation teacher and Ayurvedic counselor, so my work is deeply rooted in holistic, somatic, and ancestral practices.
What sets my work apart is its integration. I don’t just teach theater, or mindfulness, or wellness — I weave them together into creative, culturally responsive spaces where people feel seen and empowered. My Brazilian roots, multilingual fluency, and commitment to equity shape every offering.
I’m most proud of the moments when someone feels a shift — when they say, “I’ve never felt this safe in a space before,” or “This is helping me begin to move again after years of being stuck.” Whether it’s laughter, tears, or quiet reflection, I’m honored to create spaces where healing begins through creative expression, embodiment, and deep listening.
What’s next?
Right now, I’m excited to expand the reach of Atomica Arts both locally and internationally. I’m developing new online courses and virtual workshops that make our healing-centered, arts-based approach accessible to more people — especially those navigating trauma, burnout, or major life transitions.
I’m also planning to publish my second book, which blends storytelling, theater, and mindfulness practices for personal growth and transformation. And I’m continuing to build partnerships with schools, mental health organizations, and cultural institutions to bring creative wellness programs to more communities — particularly those that have been historically underserved.
One of the big shifts I’m embracing is making more space for joy and sustainability — not just in what I offer, but in how I live and lead. That means collaborating more, touring less, and anchoring deeply into work that feels aligned and regenerative.
I truly believe we’re in a time when the arts, when rooted in care and intention, can help us reimagine everything — from education to healing to community. That’s the future I want to help shape.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://atomica-arts.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/atomica_arts/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/atomica.arts
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/schaedlerluera/
Image Credits
Headshot by Sorcha Augustine
Book Event Photo by Damon Rothgeb
