Still Point’s 2015 in Review

2015 was an exciting year for Still Point. For a small nonprofit founded in 1993, we continue to fulfill our mission and expand the scope of our work. Here’s a recap of Still Point happenings in 2015!

OUTREACH

Regular performances are an integral part of Still Point’s Imagination Workshop for adults with developmental disabilities, and we are focusing more attention on this aspect as our programming expands. We are proud that our Imagination Workshop facilitation at Orchard Village has featured performances at the Skokie Theater and the Skokie Public Library this year. The group that meets at Ravenswood Presbyterian Church is open to public enrollment, and has had three well-attended performances at the church this year, most recently on December 15.  Groups at L’Arche Chicago, Esperanza, Search, Inc. and El Valor also presented original performances in 2015. Through exposing community audiences to the unique gifts of these remarkable men and women, Still Point cultivates greater community integration and breaks stereotypes. Staff member Steve Grossman has begun working on boosting the technical aspects of our outreach performances, such as sound and lighting, in order to further enhance the experience for both audiences and performers.

While Persephone Project programs continued at Cook County Jail and Lake County Jail, we were also thrilled to receive a grant from the Seabury Foundation in 2015 to support our work with formerly incarcerated women. The ultimate goal of this branch of programming is to prevent recidivism, so continuing services during the critical time following release is a vital key to success, and high on our priority list for 2016. 

Still Point delved into a new branch of programming this year with Sage Theatre Works, which seeks to develop and highlight the gifts of senior citizens. Ongoing weekly classes at the Benedictine Monastery and Bethany Retirement Center, facilitated by Lisa Wagner-Carollo, provide seniors with meaningful challenges and an opportunity to have their gifts acknowledged and appreciated. Participants also enjoy guest speakers from the arts community.

PROFESSIONAL PRODUCTIONS

Founder/Artistic Director Lisa Wagner-Carollo continued to perform Haunted by God: The Life of Dorothy Day for audiences across the country in 2015. It seems that Pope Francis, who recently praised Dorothy Day for her tireless service to the poor, is joined by many others who admire Day’s stalwart commitment to living her faith.

Still Point also continues to tour Living Water:  The Story of St. Gabriel the Archangel Church, our production about the modern day resurrection story of St. Gabriel Church in New Orleans, and how the parish banded together to rebuild after the Katrina floods of 2005. We were pleased to present donor-sponsored performances of this production for community nonprofits like Breakthrough Urban Ministries, SisterHouse and St. Martin de Porres House of Hope in 2015 - offering this inspiring play to audiences who might not otherwise have access to theater, such as people in recovery and the homeless. We are currently recasting this play for 2016.

NEW PROJECT – HUMAN TRAFFICKING

Still Point’s new project on human trafficking, Stealing Souls, is in the early stages of development. We are partnering with activist Ivan Velasco to create a new play raising awareness on the plight of human trafficking victims. Our vision for this particular project is the creation of a two part presentation: The play, with the working title Stealing Souls, will underscore the nature and severity of the problem, featuring real stories of human trafficking. The second part of the presentation will feature a panel discussion with activists from the city in which we are presenting, in order to provide information outlining actions which audience members can take to start to transform the conditions and practices that allow human trafficking to occur. We are currently fundraising for this project.

OTHER NEWS

On November 30 we hosted a reading of Maggie Kast’s new work of historical fiction, A Free, Unsullied Land. This was a great event supporting a long-time friend of Still Point, and encouraging meaningful dialogue about social justice in the U.S.A.

We recently held our Christmas Tea for the Martha Cooper Fund, which raised money for our Imagination Workshop programs. We are very grateful to Lisa Russ of the Chicago Rotary Club for her support in organizing this event. 

At our most recent Board meeting, there was a changing of the guard as Sharilyn Lacy stepped down from her position as Secretary of Still Point’s Board of Directors. Shari served on our Board for six years, first as President and then as Secretary, and we are very grateful for her many years of service. Meanwhile, we welcomed KellyAnn Corcoran to the Board. A talented writer and performer, KellyAnn has worked with Still Point in various artistic capacities, and is an enthusiastic supporter of our mission. We are thrilled to have her step into this position!

THANK YOU AND HAPPY HOLIDAYS TO OUR FRIENDS AND SUPPORTERS!

As the year winds down, we wish to extend a warm “thank you” to all of our friends and supporters. Whether you give a little or a lot of your time and/or money to Still Point, we know that we could not exist without you. We wish you a very Happy Holiday, full of creativity, community, and connection!

Making Connections with Lein Scott, Former Persephone Project Participant

by Anita Dacanay

According to the Court Services and Offender Supervision Agency:  “Since 2010, the female jail population has been the fastest growing correctional population, increasing by an average annual rate of 3.4 percent.” There is a long list of disturbing statistics regarding various characteristics of the female prison population: Nearly 6 in 10 women in state prisons have experienced physical or sexual abuse in the past. 69 percent reported that the assault occurred before age 18. In 2004, 73% of women in state prisons reported symptoms of mental illness. Women are far more likely to have minor children living with them when arrested than male prisoners.  Considering all of these factors, one begins to appreciate how difficult it is for these women to build a healthy life for themselves upon re-entry. Still Point Managing Director Ben Gray, when asked why so many people are reluctant to give incarcerated women a second chance, recently commented, “Let’s be honest about the fact that many of these women never had a first chance.”

The ultimate goal of Still Point’s Persephone Project for currently and formerly incarcerated women, is to prevent recidivism. As lofty a goal as it might be, we believe that many of these women can recover and learn to thrive with appropriate support services.

Former program participant Lein Scott spoke to me on the phone recently about her life during and after incarceration, and how programs like the Persephone Project can make a difference.  Lein recalls her life on the streets when she was chemically dependent and involved in prostitution. She is very clear about what has helped her recovery. “Connection,” she said. “You have to seek connection, or you end up alone.” But connection is not easy to come by in jail, and perhaps even harder when emerging from incarceration.

Lein remarks, “There’s such a stigma with incarceration. There’s a perception that you will never change.”

I asked Lein what theatre programs could do for women in prison, and she responded by saying, “You have to always be aware that your story can repeat itself, so you have to keep it in front of you.”  She continued by analyzing how improvisation “breaks it down, and can bring about an understanding. It puts a light on your story.”

Theatre demands many kinds of connections, but Lein’s comments underscore the fact that connection with one’s own truth is paramount. Many Persephone Project participants have affirmed that the program carved a safe space in which the women could be truthful with themselves and each other. Knowing that they would not be judged or attacked, they embarked on a process of honest self-discovery.  Having an avenue for self-reflection, as well as for imagining a different path for themselves in the future, is crucial if participants want to develop a real road map to a better life. Lein affirms the value of having an outlet for individual expression, and the hopefulness of the creative process, “When you perform something, you bring it to life.”

Still Point Founder/Artistic Director Lisa Wagner-Carollo recalls what Lein brought to the Persephone Project at Cook County when she participated. “Lein offered a lot of leadership for the group. She was very committed. She had a great attitude and was very enthusiastic.” Each four month session of workshops that Still Point leads in detention centers ends in an on-site performance. Lein had described herself to me as “kind of dramatic” – and Lisa confirmed this when she recalled Lein’s talent, “She is a great actress! She’s so good on stage.”

The leadership that Lein showed when she participated in our program has continued now that she is released. Lein is working with the Dreamcatcher Foundation, which fights to end human trafficking in Chicago. Their website states: “Our not-for-profit organization works to prevent the sexual exploitation of at-risk youth and helps current prostitutes find confidence and stability beyond the limitations of their current lifestyle.”  Lein acknowledges the challenges involved in making connections with these young people, but the Dreamcatcher Foundation has had success with person to person outreach on the streets, and this is what Lein does. She knows that mentorship made a huge difference in her own life, and now she works to pay that forward.

She also acknowledges the importance of a spiritual focus in her own recovery, “It’s easy to lose initiative… you’ve got to get out of that box, you can’t go back to doing the same things.” She spoke of the importance of being humble, and understanding of other people’s circumstances.

After our conversation, I reflected more deeply on the significance of Lein’s words: “You have to seek connection, or you end up alone.” That is a profound truth of the human experience.

For more information on the Dreamcatcher Foundation, please visit:

http://thedreamcatcherfoundation.org/

Statistics on women and incarceration:

http://www.sentencingproject.org/doc/publications/cc_incarcerated_women_factsheet_sep24sp.pdf

http://www.csosa.gov/reentry/news/statistics-on-women-offenders-2015.pdf

Lein Scott, former Persephone Project participant

Artist Spotlight: Director Virginia Smith

by Anita Dacanay

I was happy to have a chance to talk to the effervescent and accomplished Virginia Smith recently about her history with Still Point Theatre Collective. It was not a short conversation. Virginia first connected with Lisa Wagner-Carollo when Haunted By God: The Life of Dorothy Day was still being produced by Catholic Activist group Call To Action. Former Call to Action Executive Director Ray Wohl asked Virginia to re-work the original production of Haunted By God.

“There were three writers: Lisa, Bob McClory, and Paul Amandes. I immediately got rid of two of them,” Virginia quipped. “I said, ‘Lisa, you’re the actor. You’re too close to the material to make decisions about it.’ Bob was a journalist, and he had already contributed all of the factual information to make sure the play was historically accurate – so we didn’t need him anymore. That left Paul, and I worked with him. I told him where I thought the storyline needed more development, and he would write it… and I would cut it to shreds… (chuckles) I also decided that the show needed music. So I asked Paul to write all of the music that is in the play now.” Now, Virginia has a gentle, musical voice, and a ready smile and giggle – so when she recounts this story it doesn’t come across with any hard edges. This is part of Virginia’s gift – to be relentlessly staunch in communicating her interpretations of scripts and characters, in a style that is simultaneously supportive and convincing for her fellow artists. One always has the sense that she is absolutely clear about what choices will best serve the work.

I have heard several versions of this reworking of Haunted By God, and no matter who tells the story, the happy ending is the same. Under Virginia’s leadership and discerning eyes and ears, what was once a somewhat cumbersome play was honed into a beautifully written, acted, and staged one woman show. Lisa founded Still Point in 1993, and at that point the company took over the show’s production. This powerful portrait of beloved Catholic Activist Dorothy Day is still touring in 2015 - to enthusiastic audiences across North America.

For a number of reasons which include Lisa’s long-standing relationship with her, Virginia has been the first choice to direct Still Point plays throughout the years. Virginia directed Deep Listening and Living Water: The Story of St. Gabriel the Archangel Church. She also directed SPTC’s recent collaboration with Catholic Charities USA, Visionary at the Helm: The Bold Leadership of Monsignor John O’Grady, which enjoyed a successful debut at the Catholic Charities Annual Gathering in Omaha on September 11, 2015. These plays were all produced after Virginia had moved from Chicago to Nebraska to teach at the University of Nebraska in Lincoln – meaning that Virginia traveled to Chicago to work on  the plays. 

I asked Virginia what has driven her to continue working with Still Point over the years, given the distance and her full schedule. She explained that even while she was serving as the Artistic Director of Nebraska Repertory Theatre from 2005 to 2014 in addition to teaching at UNL – she liked having side jobs. A lot of theater work would have demanded more of a time commitment than she had to give with her standing professional obligations; but because Lisa has been willing and able to work around her schedule, Virginia was able to accept the projects.

“We also condense the process.  We often do in a matter of weeks or months what might usually take years to accomplish, in terms of developing new work.” She credits some of that to the fact that there is a creative team that has been established for many years – Lisa, Virginia, and Designer Holly Windingstad have worked together for the past three shows, and I was a co-writer for the past two. I know what Virginia means when she points out the value of trust in the creative team. 

Virginia also appreciates the opportunity to support Still Point’s mission in producing plays that are centered on topics of social justice and spirituality. To elaborate on her motivations, Virginia said, “I find Lisa and her work inspirational. There is always this blessed way that things come together for these plays – lots of lucky breaks and little blessings along the way.” 

Virginia’s extensive background as a theater professional – not only as a Director, but also as a writer, an instructor, and an actor - gives her the perfect skill set to nurture and shape new work. Earlier this year, Virginia was recognized with a Mayor’s Choice Award for her work as AD of Nebraska Repertory Theatre, for acting and directing in numerous roles and productions in Lincoln, and for her contribution as an educator – reminding us that Virginia’s longstanding professional relationship with Still Point is a lucky break and, in fact, a rather big blessing for the company.

Virginia enjoying a walk with husband Doug and their poodles, India Ink and Lola.

Introducing Sage Theatre Works!

by Anita Dacanay

The Administration and Board of Still Point are thrilled to announce the creation of a NEW branch of our outreach programming! This program, Sage Theatre Works, provides theatre programs for senior citizens in the Chicago area.

In the fall of 2014, Still Point Founding Artistic Director Lisa Wagner-Carollo received a call from Gina Jung, who is a former Still Point volunteer. Gina is with the Benedictine Sisters of Chicago, and approached Lisa about leading a theater program for some of the older women at the Infirmary of the Benedictine Monastery on Ridge Road. The class began as a small group of six retired sisters, supported by two aides. From the beginning, members of the group delighted in the unique opportunity for creative expression. Dubbing themselves The North Wind Players, the troupe put on their first performance in March of 2015. Musician Veronica Garza contributed her talents by adding guitar and vocals to the performance, and she is scheduled to do the same for the next North Wind Players presentation, which will occur on July 15. After the success of this pilot program, an additional ongoing workshop for seniors began in June of 2015 at the Bethany Retirement Center in Ravenswood.

Lisa recalls that she grew up watching seniors perform in a Community Theater Group in Kansas City called the Senior Barn Players. Lisa’s parents, Richard and Shirley Wagner, are also talented performers and used to direct Senior Barn Players performances. Now, they are members of the troupe. For Lisa, it only seemed natural that Still Point should extend its outreach programming to include this under-valued segment of the population.

As with other Still Point outreach work, Lisa encourages the women to bring their own ideas, interests, and talents to the class. She notes that improvisation works particularly well. Improv creates an opportunity for participants to draw from their rich life experience to create interesting characters and scenarios.  The women in the North Wind Players have come up with a variety of original ideas, and they have a penchant for comedic sketches. One such scene was based on the premise of one woman’s ill-fated trip to a cosmetics counter at a department store; another revolved around two passengers on an airplane with conflicting desires: one wants to read her book in peace, and the other wants to chat endlessly! The women also enjoy portraying historical characters. The oldest member of the North Wind Players, Sr. Mercedes Moore, who has passed her 100^th birthday, likes to recite poetry - some of which she recalls from when she was 12!

At least one member of the group has confessed that she always wanted to be an actress, but never before had the chance to explore that interest. Why shouldn’t she explore it now? All of the participants in this particular group are retired Benedictine Sisters. They worked hard and served their communities for many years. Many of them have serious health issues. The chance to interact with others in a new way, have some fun, express their thoughts and feelings, and take their minds off of the inevitable stresses of aging is something that participants appreciate, and most certainly deserve.

Our senior citizens offer us a wealth of experience, perspective, and wisdom – yet our youth-focused culture often fails to acknowledge, let alone celebrate, these gifts. Sage Theatre Works takes a step toward correcting this imbalance.

We are still putting together materials for a new page on the Still Point website devoted to Sage Theatre Works. In the meantime, interested parties can receive more information by contacting Managing Director Ben Gray at the Still Point Office: 773-868-1700; benbgray@gmail.com

Lisa with the North Wind Players

Showtime at L’arche!

Well, I asked Facilitator Stephanie Browning to send me a couple of lines about what’s going on in our program with L’Arche Chicago. Her response outlined so many cool, creative happenings that I couldn’t choose just one thing to share, so I decided to put it all into a blog post!

L'Arche is an International Federation dedicated to the creation and growth of homes, programs, and support networks for people with intellectual disabilities. L’Arche Chicago welcomed its first core member in 2000, and has been growing ever since. Still Point began a program for the members there in late February of this year.

Stephanie is working with the group developing both musical and dramatic presentations. 
Here’s Stephanie’s report on the participants’ musical pursuits:

“Christianne leads the singing to get us warmed up by choosing which song out of our L'Arche Songbook we'll sing first. She's partial to “Lean on Me “& “Ring of Fire”.

Elisha plays the drum and sometimes adds a piano solo on the Elvis tunes, especially “Love Me Tender”.

Mike brought in a Tim McGraw song that is working out great.  He also introduced the Taylor Swift song "Shake it Off" which is a huge hit. It sounds fantastic when we all sing together - Jessica, Monica, and Hannah, and now we are so happy to welcome Nelson to the group - he's a guitar player!

We have talked about maybe adding some dance moves to the Taylor Swift song. I also suggested we could make up our own lyrics about L'Arche and life at the houses, the challenges we all face and how we respond to them. Shake it off!”

The group is developing an improvised play about a very special royal family. The family includes Christianne as the Princess, Hannah as her mother - the Imperious Queen, Mike as the King, and Elisha as their beautiful horse. (He's almost like a member of the family!)

In addition, Tim has been hard at work writing a delightful short play about the search for an extremely beloved red ‘69 BMW that goes missing.

Our program at L’Arche is one of five Still Point workshops focused on the needs and gifts of adults with developmental disabilities. All of Still Point’s Imagination Workshop ensembles operate in a spirit of nurturing and celebrating each individual’s unique creative voice. According to Stephanie’s report, it sounds as though there is never a dull moment in their sessions! 

For more information about L'Arche Chicago, you may visit them at:
http://www.larchechicago.org/come-and-see#identity

Facilitator Spotlight: Maria Vorhis

By Anita Dacanay

Still Point Program Facilitator Maria Vorhis graduated from the University of Iowa in 2012 with a B.A. in Theater Arts. She has accumulated a fascinating and impressive gumbo of artistic experience as an actor of both stage and screen; also as a producer, storyteller, writer, and facilitator. Maria is a committed and passionate artist who values the gift that playmaking can grant to both performers and audiences: the gift of truly being present in the moment, and enjoying it fully.

A key element that has formed her artistic life is her background in Clowning, which she first encountered in a college class taught by Paola Coletto. Through exploring Clown and Mask work, Maria found freedom in a physical approach to developing characters. In essence, the process was one of stripping down rather than putting on: removing the safety of physical habits to reveal a more raw and vulnerable self on stage.

This work informs her approach as a facilitator. Maria frequently uses the word “innocence” to refer to the state she seeks for herself and her students when developing work. In an age rife with cynicism, we are all perhaps a bit starved for innocence. Interestingly, the quality of innocence is one of the many gifts that adults with developmental disabilities have to share with the larger community.

When speaking of her current group of participants at El Valor, Maria recounted a story of one class member’s blossoming when randomly assigned the role of a cheerleader in a scene. Formerly silent and reserved, the young woman suddenly lit up like a light bulb, accessed her inner ham, and started dancing gleefully. Maria asserts that these unexpected moments of pure joy are exactly the ones she wants to recreate for audiences.

With unabashed gusto, it does appear that Maria seems to revel in the unexpected. Immediately after graduating from college, the young actress found herself completely uninterested in auditioning for roles.  She developed material while engaged in a group dubbed “Lady Comedy Circle and Terrorist Society” – and would later turn this writing into her one-woman show, Are You There, George?  The idea of touring living rooms started as a joke with friends, but became a reality when her close friend and artistic partner Kaitlyn Busbee directed the piece, and they did indeed take it on an Iowa living room tour! The play was also performed in a more traditional venue when it appeared in the Minnesota Fringe Festival, but Maria asserts that it was better served in the intimate space of private homes. Considering that the set is a bunk bed, and that the story is about a 12-year-old girl longing for breasts and a sense of belonging, one can see how this might be true – although the play’s appearance in that festival did land Maria the title of #1 Newbie of the Fringe.  A 2015 tour of this show is in the works.

Former Still Point intern and Facilitator Tory Flack, who also attended the University of Iowa, introduced Maria to Still Point, and we are very pleased that she did. Clearly, Maria brings many unique gifts to the table, and we are most fortunate to have this talented and innovative artist on the Still Point team. We look forward to witnessing the unexpected moments of delight that she and her participants at El Valor will discover and share with all of us. For more information on Maria’s work, please visit her website: http://www.mariavorhis.com/

 (Above) Maria as Natalie in her one woman play Are You There, George?

As Petunia in short film: Where Are You?

Facilitator Spotlight: Stephanie Browning

by Anita Dacanay

Interviewing new Still Point Facilitator Stephanie Browning for this blog was truly a joy. Of course, that is only fitting, as Stephanie’s approach to her work was summed up in her first conversation with Still Point Founder, Lisa Wagner-Carollo, when she proclaimed to Lisa, “My agenda is joy.”

Stephanie cheerfully explained her unique background in the arts, which started when she was a young girl in Boulder, Colorado who threw herself into piano lessons, singing, acting, and all manner of performance. Shortly after she graduated from high school, Stephanie entered a modeling contest – and won. This started her on a modeling career. Eventually, she shifted into several years working as a photo stylist and studio manager, which she felt better suited her creative identity. “I had a lot of ideas,” she quipped, “And nobody wants a model with ideas.”

This lifestyle too wore thin after a few years, and Stephanie began to do some soul-searching regarding what her true path should be, and what would bring her the greatest fulfillment. A phone call from a friend in Chicago helped set her course, as her friend regaled her with stories of the rich music and performance scene in Chicago. “You’d love it here!” her friend insisted.

Stephanie decided that the answer to her soul-searching would be found in becoming a jazz singer in Chicago. So, in 1991, that is precisely what she did. Her friend’s instincts were right on target: Stephanie fell in love with Chicago immediately, and carved a niche for herself as a professional jazz singer.

About three years ago, Stephanie began volunteering at Garden Center Services, a Chicago area service provider for people with developmental disabilities. She later began to teach music classes there. Veteran Imagination Workshop member Andy Torres lives at one of Garden Center’s homes, and was the glue that brought Still Point and Stephanie together! Andy and Lisa have been collaborating on doing workshops together at Garden Center, and one day when Lisa was meeting with him, they attended one of the sing-alongs that Stephanie has been leading there. Stephanie and Lisa talked at length that day, and Stephanie was eventually asked to Facilitate Still Point’s new program with L’Arche Chicago. She had her first session with the class on Monday, February 23.

Stephanie’s philosophy on Facilitating for people with developmental disabilities is clearly and emphatically in line with Still Point’s mission and vision, starting with her assertion that people with disabilities are “100% people.” This sounds painfully obvious, yet those who work with this population know how truly marginalized persons with D.D. are in our society. Stephanie asserts that this segmenting of the population results in a huge loss for the community at large.  She appreciates the great capacity for joy and the ability to slow down and live in the present moment which she observes in her students at Garden Center. Her approach is to discover - and celebrate - what each individual can do, because everyone has some unique skill or quality to share. Engaging in the process of getting to know each participant on his or her own terms, and giving each person a chance to shine, has been tremendously rewarding for Stephanie.

She reflects on the “deep kind of joy” she experiences when a client does something that no one knew he or she could do. When discussing the new group at L’Arche, she expressed anticipation and excitement: “I can’t wait to see what we put together!”

It is with deep appreciation and great joy that we welcome Stephanie Browning to Still Point Theatre Collective.

Jazz vocalist and Still Point Program Facilitator Stephanie Browning, performing at the Green Mill