Celebrating Spring (and Creativity) with the Ravenswood Players

The Ravenswood Players are a delightful performance ensemble of adults with developmental disabilities.  Their  three month process culminates in an original public performance at the Ravenswood Presbyterian Church.  The workshop is led by Still Point facilitator Laura Callahan-Hazard.  She approaches each session with the intention of helping participants to develop new theatre skills, while creating engaging scenes and skits along the way. 

Laura recalls that the current group started meeting in January, when Chicago was in the throes of the Polar vortex, and a truly challenging winter.  The group knew that their performance would take place in the spring, and the participants agreed that spring-time itself seemed like a wonderful subject to focus on in their sessions.  Laura focused on the concept of using words as tools of the theatre, and began working with poems that were eventually acted out in various ways. Then the group moved on to writing their own poems, some of which are used in the performance.  Sunshine, the life cycle of flower bulbs, and April Fool’s Day are just some of the springy subjects explored in the piece!

Laura has enjoyed watching the participants “blossom” during the process of creating the performance.  She recalls how a new member, Jennifer, has overcome shyness to learn how to connect with other actors, and developed the skills to listen and respond to them in new ways. She also applauds the work of Jimmy, who has stepped into the role of peer leader in the group, inspiring and encouraging others with his own enthusiasm for being on stage.

CELEBRATE SPRING is happening Wednesday, April 23rd at 7:00 p.m.! It’s free and open to the public at Ravenswood Presbyterian Church,  4300 N. Hermitage.  After the show, audience members will be able to purchase hand-painted flower pots to benefit Still Point Theatre Collective. Chicago area friends are encouraged to attend and join the fun – after the past winter, I think we are ALL ready to celebrate spring!

Persephone Unbound: Still Point Nurtures the Spirits of Women in Prison

Since 1993, Still Point Theatre Collective has been cultivating the expression of voices we seldom hear in mainstream society.  The Persephone Project, named for the Greek mythological goddess who was bound to spend half of her life in the Underworld, creates unique creative opportunities for women incarcerated at Chicago area detention centers. 

Previous participant Roberta Ashley recalls, “I cannot begin to tell you how important these workshops were to me and to the rest of the group… I saw my fellow inmates in an entirely new light, as creative, intelligent women.  The classes were both freeing and empowering.”

The Persephone Project provides a welcome “safe space” in which the women can tell their stories, build community, explore new perspectives, process their pasts, and dare to envision their futures.  Through learning the practical skills of theater-making, including writing, public speaking, and body awareness, the women develop new ways to express themselves.  At the end of a three to four month process, the participants perform their play for guests, prison volunteers, and fellow inmates.  This provides affirmation for the culmination of their work: to experience the smiles, tears, and applause from an engaged audience tells them that not only can they speak out, but that they can actually be heard and appreciated.

As an extension of these workshops, Sisters Rising was started in 2007.  This powerful performance troupe is composed of formerly incarcerated women. Sisters Rising ensemble members create original work which is then performed publicly all around the Chicago area. The women of the troupe are compensated for their work, which helps to instill a sense of respect and responsibility in women who often have difficulty finding employment.

The play Strong Women, performed by Still Point actors, allows the work of Persephone Project participants to travel outside prison walls. The performance was created from the writings of women incarcerated at Cook County Jail, and addresses issues such as violence, redemption, and inner strength. The play is currently available for booking through Still Point.

While it is important to acknowledge the degree to which these innovative programs affect the lives of the participants, it is also important to remember that everyone wins when typically marginalized communities are given a chance to speak. Invited guests and jail staff who have attended Persephone Project performances often speak of being profoundly moved by the experience. The public performances of Sisters Rising and Strong Women help to smash stereotypes about people in prison, and foster a hope for universal healing.  After all, it is when Persephone returns from the Underworld that we can all experience the blessed renewal of spring.

SPTC actresses Jyreika Guest, Lisa Wagner-Carollo, and Gail Gallagher perform Strong Women. 

(photo by Susan Ericsson)