I Dare You: Empowering Women (Especially Moms) to Be More Than a Housewife

May 9, 2018

A good friend called one morning and expressed her desire to produce a play, mind you she has been a part of a theater playgroup for a few years and wanted to bring light to her community theater.

I encouraged her to do so, yet she was still uncertain. As fellow mom, where would she find the time and was it even worth it? She expressed interest in wanting to do something outside of her comfort zone. I continued to encourage her and say, “do it, you have a passion, pursue it.” Little did I know she would soon take me out of my own comfort zone.

Josie, my friend, asked if I would be in her play if she produced it. My response… No, No & NO!

Okay, let’s back up for a minute, first off I have zero acting experience, second I have stage fright and third, I have the worst memory! Even if I agreed, my kids and husband dominated my life, where would I find the time to rehearse?

Another friend, Serene, was also asked to be in this play and promised that this experience would not only empower me, but also be something that I would be glad to cross off my bucket list. True, the thought of being on stage once crossed my mind growing up, but the fear of stage fright made me think twice. Despite my anxiety, I decided to go for it, for myself and also to show my children that I had other interests and roles outside of Mom and wife.

Two weeks and a million rehearsals later, I finally learned my lines and understood my character. I realized that I experienced more than just memorizing lines and relating to my character; I experienced the bond with other characters that I would be sharing a stage with. I discovered that I had found a new and different type of confidence after a long time. To act like someone else was a release that I needed from my day-to-day life. I felt alive and felt lighter like I hadn’t before.

Showtime

Three months later it was show time! For the first time I felt a rush and adrenaline that was like no other. The connection I felt with both the cast and audience was priceless! The show was called Smalls Talk and we performed it at the Parker Playhouse.

The truth is we are all scared to try something outside of our comfort zone. Had I not been pushed I wouldn’t have experienced something so fun and break that stage fright out of me.

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Its not too late to take on a challenge and make it a goal, do something different and encourage your friends to do the same. Experience something outside of your daily routine. Go ahead I DARE YOU!

Read more about what is means to be a #MomOffDuty here!

Your Chick,

Avani

Windy City Playhouse Ticket Giveaway!

July 5, 2017

When the chicks were invited by the Windy City Playhouse to see their current play, “King Liz” I thought that it would make a fun date night and invited my husband along. We were unfamiliar with this newly-founded playhouse and were excited for our evening in the city!

The theater seats 80-100, depending on the play. We were pleasantly surprised by the charming lobby with bar, comfortable seating, and friendly staff. The contemporary decorating includes faux animal skin rugs, leather couches and a fireplace. You can bring alcohol into the performance. The chairs are roomy and comfortable leather lounges (not recliners) that swivel, and there are tables between the seats to place your drinks. There’s plenty of room, which is really nice.

What I liked most about the theater was its design. The audience faces each other with the stage in the middle, allowing two sets accessible by the actors merely by crossing the stage. This was used to great effect during the performance, and kept the action going at a quick and fun pace. This setup also allows you to sit very close to the performers, and with the stage lighting and great acoustics, made this theater experience really visceral.

“King Liz” is a story about Liz Rico (Lanise Shelley), a brassy, highly successful African American basketball agent, who’s worked her way up to partner in the Candy Agency. She’s a Yale grad from the projects, and was originally Mr. Candy’s (Frank Nall) assistant when he started the agency in his garage. The story centers around her relationship with Freddie Luna (Eric Gerard), the hot new client she must recruit and help get drafted, to make the big splash needed for the board to name her as Candy’s successor. Liz is self-centered, doing whatever it takes to make it to the top. She’s sacrificed love, children, and friendships for her career. Freddy comes from a troubled inner city background. He lived in foster homes and has an assault charge that dogs him. His tough exterior hides a need for guidance and love. We see how Liz’s career goals conflict with Freddie’s unpreparedness for the world of professional sports, and how ultimately she finds her humanity. It’s a fast paced play that keeps you engaged and entertained.

The lead actress, Lanise Shelley, who has an impressive resume including extensive Shakespearean training, plays the intense and powerful role of Liz Rico very well. In fact, all of the actors were excellent. They were well cast.

I liked the play. The actors were engaging and their timing was great. I laughed out loud several times. It was even fun to recognize actor Phillip Edward Van Lear, who played Coach Jones, from Prison Break!

Try this theatre out! King Liz runs through July 16th. If you share this post on Facebook, you will automatically be entered to win a pair of tickets to see King Liz or their upcoming production of Becky Shaw!

Also, after some performances you can stay and have a “night cap” with one of the actors.

If you would like to go out for dinner beforehand, I’d highly recommend “Bread and Wine” down the street. It’s a Michelin-rated restaurant. My husband and I were thrilled with the food, atmosphere, and friendliness of the staff. The owners even let us leave our car in the parking lot while we went to the play!

You will really enjoy an evening combining Bread and Wine and the Windy City Playhouse. Coming in from the suburbs, Irving Park is not as far as going all the way downtown. Both restaurant and theater are walking distance from each other, and both are just east of I90. That makes it very easy to drive. It’s a lot less hassle than going downtown for an evening and, frankly, it was a lot more fun.

Your Savvy Chick,

Johanna Croll