Our Town

Hannah Thomas Brings Southern Flair

2013-05-13T19:42:32Z

Atlanta singer/songwriter Hannah Thomas began performing at age sixteen. Since then she’s made a name for herself, opening for Zac Brown, winning The GA Lottery All Access Music Search, opening for acts like Zac Brown and performing with musician like Shawn Mullins. Before Thomas heads to Chicago play Uncommon Ground, she spoke with Our Town about her influences and inspirations.

Our Town You started playing young. To what do you credit your early drive?
Hannah Thomas I've always known I wanted to do this for a living. My parents were very supportive. My dad taught me that if I wanted something I'd have to work for it.

OT Where do you find inspiration?
HT Early on I wrote a lot about the world around me. Over time I've started to find inspiration in my own life experiences. The more life I live, the more I have to write about.

OT Do you write towards a specific album or at a certain point do you just realize you have enough songs for an album and go from there?
HT A mixture. As I am writing songs I usually realize there's some kind of theme and so far each album has had a song that describes that theme. It's usually by accident. This album was originally going to be titled "22 Page Story" and then I wrote "Goodbye On Wasted Time."

OT Who are your influences?
HT I'm a big fan of many genres and my influences reflect that. Just some of them are Janis Joplin, Johnny Cash, Indigo Girls, Tori Amos, Terri Clark, Melissa Etheridge, Bonnie Raitt. In my early teens I was very fortunate to find a friend in JR Cobb (Atlanta Rhythm Section). He taught me a lot about music and how to develop my craft. The things I've learned from him over the years continues to influence me every day.

OT Why do you think so much interesting music comes out of Atlanta?
HT It's great melting pot of cultures, from the gospel music of the old south, to the overflow of underground rock in Athens, to Southern Rock and Soul in Macon. [Plus] the New Country sound that rose from the strong singer/songwriter scene with the inclusion of folks like The Indigo Girls and Shawn Mullins the was due to believers like Eddie Owen, founder of Eddie's Attic in Decatur, now at Eddie Owen Presents in Duluth, GA.

]]>

OT What’s your favorite song to cover and why?
HT Gypsy Boots by Terri Clark, because it mirrors my own life and it's a lot of fun to play on guitar. Many people have never heard the original and don't realize it's a cover.

OT In terms of marketing yourself and working as an indie artist, who have been your role models?
HT Amy Ray. She has taught me not only how to market myself but the kind of person I want to be known as in the business.

OT What was your experience like using Kickstarter?
HT I was shy about the idea at first but was overwhelmed by the response and support I received from the fans. I definitely could not have made this album without them. I'm forever thankful for that.

OT Who is your dream audience member?
HT I always love when people come to listen but if they want to get up and dance that's always okay by me.

OT How do you stay sane on the road?
HT Always remembering why I'm doing this is key. Every night I get to do what I love. When I hit the stage and see people’s faces and them singing along, there's no better feeling. Honestly, I probably stay more sane on the road than staying in one place.

OT What are some favorite venues?
HT Eddie Owen Presents at Red Clay Theater (Duluth, GA), Bluebird Cafe (Nashville), Akron Civic Center (Akron, OH) and hopefully after this Uncommon Ground in Chicago!

OT What are you looking forward to doing in Chicago?
HT If I get a chance I'd love to go check out the lake front. I hear pizza is a must so I've definitely got have Chicago slice while in town. Word of mouth says Pizano's is the place to get it.

Hannah Thomas plays Uncommon Ground May 18th at 8 p.m.

A writer with an MFA in Creative Writing from The School of the Art Institute of Chicago, Sarah Terez Rosenblum freelances for sites like Pop Matters and
afterellen.com Her debut novel, “Herself When She’s Missing," was called “poetic and heartrending” by ALA Booklist. Sarah is also a figure model, Spinning instructor and teacher at Chicago’s StoryStudio. Inevitably one day she will find herself lecturing naked on a spinning bike. She's kind of looking forward to it actually.
IMPORTANT: the official Our Town site doesn't support comments. Join in the conversation by following facebook.com/OurTownBlog.ChicagoSunTimes and Sarah on Twitter: @SarahTerez and Facebook.

Let Them Eat Chaos

2013-05-09T19:10:47Z

Photo by Clayton Hauck

Second City director Matt Hovde really likes sandwiches, but we didn’t talk much about that. Instead he spoke with Our Town about Let Them Eat Chaos, the open run Second City Revue he helped create. A longstanding tradition, the revue depends on both improv and scripted scenes, harnessing the collective creative energy of a cast of talented performers.

Our Town You deviate from tradition a bit with the show, for example, no musical number opens it. Why?
Matt Hovde From the very first rehearsal, the ensemble and I wanted to free ourselves from recent Second City trends. This is a veteran cast, and we felt ready to break free from old habits, no matter how successful. It came from a place of feeling like comedy can get stagnant when it gets too predictable, and we wanted to make sure we weren't putting up a show by some formula or set of rules. In a weird way, we developed the material by saying, "well normally we might push things in this direction, so...let's go the opposite way."

OT How did you come up with the title?
MH As usual, it was the result of several days of brainstorming terrible ones to try to find a good one! We had been playing around with a theme of Chaos early on, in the sense that it represents unpredictability, or maybe even an attitude of rebellion. Plus, it's a great way of describing improvisation, which is a huge part of our process. Once the show started to take shape, it felt right to connect the title to those ideas. Luckily, someone in the cast thought of a nice turn of phrase which captured those themes in an intriguing way.

OT You use a very spare set. Why that choice?
MH It really started on day one, when I asked Alison Riley, our Producer, to tear out the old set and leave us with an empty, raw stage upon which to play. I just felt that if we were going to embrace the idea of creating something that might be a little different, the best way to do that would be to start boldly and maybe a little recklessly; to demonstrate to ourselves and the audience that we weren't going to rely on old tricks. I think sticking with a sparse, empty look put the emphasis on the actors in a refreshing way, and reinforced the idea that improvisation is the art of creating something from nothing.

OT Describe your directing style.
MH Oh, that's hard. I have a strange fascination with the maniacal, mad genius kind of directors, because I don't think I am those things. I hear stories of Del Close throwing chairs, and other directors yelling through megaphones or conjuring up trippy metaphors for art and I think "I wonder how that works?" I guess my style is "not that."

OT Can comedic timing be taught?
MH I think that timing can be improved. Most comedians kind of have it already, and with training (and trial and error) they can refine it. Improvisation is great training for timing.

OT back to the show. What aspects of Let Them Eat Chaos have audiences responded to?
MH A lot of people seem to be intrigued by the particular way we blend improvisation into the show this time around - it's kind of hard to tell at times where the improvisation has ended and a scripted scene begins, which was something we thought was fun to play around with. And I think a lot of folks like the emotional, thoughtful parts of the show - it's not as raucous or overtly political as some previous shows. It's definitely a relationship driven show, and people seem to be responding very well to that.

OT What are you working on next?
MH I've returned to my role as Artistic Director in our Training Center, which I'm always thrilled to do after directing a show. I get so enthusiastic about this art form it's ridiculous.

Purchase tickets to "Let Them Eat Chaos" here.

The Puppy Mill Project

2013-05-07T15:42:08Z

Cari Meyers is committed to putting an end to puppy mills. As the founder of The Puppy Mill Project she’s worked tirelessly to meet this goal. Most recently, TPMP convinced Collar and Leash, Chicago’s oldest pet store to stop working with puppy mills. Our Town spoke with Meyers about peaceful protest, the foundation’s youth outreach efforts and her future goals.

Our Town What inspired you to found The Puppy Mill Project?
Cari Meyers My inspiration for founding TPMP was learning about the mills and realizing no one in Illinois was even talking about them. None of the shelters or rescues were even concerning themselves with the core problem of overpopulation of dogs, it all starts with the mills. Also the fact that every state bordering ours was a puppy mill state and thousands of dogs were passing through, and being delivered here, every week. As I dug further I found about the magnitude of this animal cruelty problem and knew this was what I had to do.

OT What sort of assistance does TPMP provide?
CM We provide education to the uninformed consumer as well as to the schools and communities that are becoming more involved. We also direct people to shelters and rescues instead of stores and try to help them find the particular dog they want if there is one.

OT Most pet stores still use puppy mill puppies.Why?
CM Stores HAVE to use puppy mills for several reasons. First of all no responsible breeder would EVER sell to a pet store. Secondly the stores need a variety of dogs and too many dogs for a breeder to provide so they have to go to the mills.

OT Is this changing at all?
CM In so far as consumers are becoming educated and not buying as many dogs, so stores are closing. However, the pet stores will never change where they source their dogs no matter what they tell you.

OT You recently convinced Collar and Leash to stop working with puppy mills. How did that happen?
CM Collar and Leash was a store we protested on and off for several years. We received many complaints about them and so I made them my primary target in terms of transitioning to a humane model. We called the owners to set up a meeting and they said yes. A half hour after we met they agreed to go forward with this with our support. A big, bold move for them and we will do everything to make sure everyone knows about it and that they succeed.

OT TPMP can be seen protesting outside of pets store sin the Chicago area. Do you think peaceful protest has an effect?
CM I believe peaceful protesting has had a huge impact. About 78% of the population does not even now what a puppy mill is so this is a great way to tell them. We have made some huge changes by protesting and will continue to do so.

]]> OT Talk a little about the youth outreach aspect of TPMP.
CM We firmly believe in the idea of "teach your children well.” That's where it all starts. We recently launched our "It's Not Cool To Be Cruel Campaign" to teach children about not only animal cruelty but any kind of cruelty. It covers a lot of ground. We have age appropriate presentations for pre school through college age students. We love going into the schools and answering all of the questions these kids have. It's a great honor for us.

OT Recently The Illinois Senate has approved a measure that would protect consumers who buy a dog or cat at a pet store and then find out that the animal is seriously ill. Why is this important?
CM I think the Lemon Law is certainly way past due across the country. I deal with consumers all the time who have purchased sick dogs and spent literally thousands of dollars to save them and they have no recourse. Sometimes they are so sick they cannot even be saved. Why should the store owner not be responsible for what he is selling as healthy? On the other hand it is hard for me because I don't think of animals as products or merchandise and do not believe they should be sold in stores or on the internet.

OT You have a benefit coming up on May 11th. What will that entail?
CM Our benefit is going to be amazing! Every year we have our big event to honor all of the mothers still in the mills so no one will ever forget them. This year we will be honoring the owners of Collar and Leash for becoming the first (and oldest ) pet store in Chicago to become humane. This is a very big step for them and also for the city of Chicago. It will be a celebration of the accomplishments of the last year, and there were many! We have a live band, great food and drink, and fantastic auction items. something for everyone.

OT What keeps you committed to the project?
CM I will always be committed to TPMP, it is a part of my soul. Having seen the dogs from a puppy mill rescue and having seen the condition of these dogs I will never stop fighting to close down the mills. The sheer magnitude of the cruelty that man has put these innocent dogs through for money, is truly beyond comprehension and I cannot let them down.

Resister for The Mothers in Mills Fundraiser here.

A writer with an MFA in Creative Writing from The School of the Art Institute of Chicago, Sarah Terez Rosenblum freelances for sites like Pop Matters and
afterellen.com Her debut novel, “Herself When She’s Missing," was called “poetic and heartrending” by ALA Booklist. Sarah is also a figure model, Spinning instructor and teacher at Chicago’s StoryStudio. Inevitably one day she will find herself lecturing naked on a spinning bike. She's kind of looking forward to it actually.
IMPORTANT: the official Our Town site doesn't support comments. Join in the conversation by following facebook.com/OurTownBlog.ChicagoSunTimes and Sarah on Twitter: @SarahTerez and Facebook.

FlatTailFur

2013-04-27T22:31:16Z

When Mark Valente first saw Beaver Island, Michigan he was instantly compelled. Taken with the island’s untouched wilderness and the close-to-the-earth lifestyle its inhabitants enjoyed, he moved there permanently in 1975 and made his living trapping animals, raising foxes and doing auto-body work. Years later, his girlfriend and now business partner, Chicagoan Laura Green joined him. In the intervening years, Mark’s business had changed. He’d begun to sell furs at auction and had purchased a 1940‘s fur sewing machine on ebay. The machine arrived without instructions, so he tinkered with it, then started designing his own patterns for mittens, hats and scarves. Eventually Valente began selling his pieces at a local artesian market, but when Green arrived, the two took Valente’s wares to a national market, creating FlattailFurs on Etsy. Now the couple sell not only winter gear, but jewelry and accessories made from feathers collected from the guinea fowl, pea fowl, and chickens they raise. Our Town spoke with Valente and Green about the whole endeavor.

Our Town You either trap or raise the animals used in your products as well as create and sell your products. What’s it like to take part in all aspects of the process?
Mark Valente Very satisfying. I started out trapping because I enjoyed being in the woods and working with the animals. When I starting creating and sewing, I was really surprised at how much I enjoyed it. The more I created, the more ideas came to me for creating new and different items. With the beaver we use practically every part of the animal for something. We use the teeth for jewelry, the feet for jewelry and backscratchers, the tails are used to embellish other products and used for coin purses, the bones are used in jewelry, the meat is nutritious and what's not eaten by humans is processed into food for the fox that we raise. It's just a really good feeling to be able to take something from the land and create.

OT What would you say to someone who objects to fur on ethical grounds?
Laura Green I guess we would say that thankfully we are living in the United States of America and thankfully they aren't being forced to purchase something that goes against their morals. Animal husbandry, trapping in particular, is one of the cornerstones of this nation. It was the early fur trappers who discovered new territory. Both of us feel this way of life has an authenticity that neither of us could find in the city. On the island, you can't just go out and set traps and expect success. You have to learn about the animal, its habits, its life, how the overall population is faring. It not only takes skill to trap an animal successfully and humanely, but wisdom to know when to trap and when not to. When you are successful trapping, the job doesn't end there. You now are on a time table to process the animal properly so that every part you intend to use does not go to waste. In terms of the animals we raise, again you need to learn about the animal, it's needs, nutrition, even behavior. If you do not properly care for an animal then that neglect will show up physically. We love what we do and we bend over backwards to make sure all of our "critters," as we call them, have the best care.

OT Winters are long where you live. How do you get through?
MV The same as in the summer only we wear more clothes. There is always something to fix, feed, take care of, or walk. Not to mention winter is trapping season and the time of year to practice product development. We get to mess around with new ideas and get everything stocked up for the store to sell in the summer months.

]]>

OT You make feather jewelry from the birds you raise. How did you get the idea to do that?
LG I kept gathering the feathers that Mr. Peacock (Yes, that’s his name.) molted and told Mark how they would make gorgeous earrings. "Then why don't you make some?" he replied. I did a little research on the internet, made a pair which I ended up wearing to work. I got lots of inquiries, and they took off. I make hairclips, necklaces, earrings, earcuffs, and I even made my first gift card box holder last year for a friend's wedding.

OT How do you get inspired to create new designs?
LG Our main source of inspiration is customer feedback. People let us know what things they would like to see, have seen elsewhere, and different tweeks on current items. Most importantly, you just have to go out there and make something. When you first get the idea for a piece you want to mull it over and over until you get it right, and that doesn't work very well. I know for Mark and myself we just need to start--whether we know where it's going or not--and then new ideas pop up.

OT How has Etsy impacted your company?
LG Etsy has been very positive, but selling anything via the internet has its own learning curve. It's interesting to see that certain items sell better at our store (items that can be touched and tried on) and others sell better on Etsy (product photos are the be all end all). As popular as I think Etsy is, it still amazes me how many people have never heard of it! We're glad there's still a huge growth potential out there.

OT What are your long term goals for the company?
LG There is a quote by Michael Fortin, "Do what you love and the business will follow," so I guess the long term goals of the company would be to not lose sight of this message. As long as we can continue to provide for ourselves by doing what we love, what more can you ask for?

Kate Baldwin: Big Fish in a Big Pond

2013-04-24T20:26:34Z

Photo by Paul Kolnik

Tony-nominated actress Kate Baldwin has no idea who I am. Not surprising; we’ve never officially met. Yet at Broadway-bound Big Fish’s Chicago opening, watching her command the hushed theater, I awakened to a sense of deja vu. Baldwin’s easy power was no surprise given her talent, but a feat given her role. A musical adaptation of the 2003 film, Big Fish is a play about men: boyhood dreams, adult male disappointments and triumphs, but mostly father/son dynamics. Through exuberant dance and about ten too many go-nowhere songs, the show explores the life of enigmatic Edward Bloom (Norbert Leo Butz). A traveling salesman whose tall tales sometimes obscure his actual achievements, Edward has a strained relationship with his son, Will (Bobby Steggert). Years after a falling out, the two must come to terms with each other as Edward struggles with cancer.

But back to my deja vu. There's a perfectly logical explanation for it. I spent my formative years watching Kate Baldwin. We both attended the same small, Wisconsin high school--a phrase evoking wandering cows and football heroes, but Shorewood High School was known for its drama department which functioned like a professional repertory. Each season Shorewood put up 3-4 shows culminating in a much anticipated musical. And we aren’t talking a sloppy line of off-key Von Trapps done up in gingham with a math teacher recruited to play Mother Superior. Perhaps because our football team was on a ten year losing streak (sorry to bring it up, Brian Wallace), or maybe because the drama teacher put the fear of God into anyone within a ten mile radius, SHS drama had both the funds and the determination to pull off Broadway caliber shows. Or at least touring production caliber. Or at least in my eyes.

Kate was about five grades ahead of me, so while I dutifully memorized lines for a Dr Seuss Sneetch skit or auditioned to play a cheerleader who learns smart kids are cool, over at the high school, the lucky, older kids tap danced down 42nd Street or sang about greased lightning or smacked down a Sondheim interval. Right at the center of all that jazz was Kate Baldwin.

]]>
Photo by Paul Kolnik

My last semester in junior high and Kate’s senior year she played Eva Peron. I’d seen the touring production of Evita months earlier and came away obsessed. When I found out our high school would perform the show a mere four months before I matriculated, I’m pretty sure I cried. Not that I thought I’d missed a chance to inhabit the titular role (Well, maybe part of me did), but really, I just wanted a chance to work with the choreographer Shorewood flew in from New York, to walk the sets the tech crew spent endless hours constructing, to wear a costume pulled from the drama building’s labyrinthine basement. I must have seen the show five times; sneaking into the balcony with my best friend, propped next to my mom in the front row, alone under the neon exit sign, mouthing Eva’s every cutting word. Even as a teenager, Kate’s luminous power projected like a beam of light into her future. Self-contained, radiating understated authority, Kate made it impossible to look elsewhere.

In Big Fish, Baldwin plays Edward’s wife Sandra, and she doesn’t have much to do. She’s the patient partner, the wise mother, the passive pursued. Even so, she imbues her role with characteristic subtle charm and subterranean strength. Baldwin is made to stand center stage, inhabiting powerhouse roles like Eva Peron, but her skill is such that she self-calibrates, recreating herself as the character requires. I’d lost track of her in the years since seeing her summon the attention of each person in our small high school auditorium, but even in a supporting role in the Oriental Theater’s impressive space, she makes it all look easy; she’s right where she belongs.

Big Fish runs through May 5th. Purchase tickets here.

Lindsay Ribar's The Art of Wishing

2013-04-19T19:47:54Z

Lindsay Ribar

With Buffy the Vampire Slayer long off the air, feminist fans of paranormal romance have had it rough. Enter novelist and agent Lindsay Ribar. Her debut young adult novel, The Art of Wishing, introduces Margo, an ambitious, down-to-earth heroine and Oliver, her gender-bending genie love interest. Ribar’s conceit may be fantastical, but her execution is both realistic and utterly engaging. She spoke with Our Town about the popularity of paranormal romance, offered tips for writers and kept it classy on the subject of Twilight.

Our Town What makes a book YA?
Lindsay Ribar The answer seems to change on a daily basis, especially since it's still considered an up-and-coming genre. A few years ago, I might have said that YA novels have more simplistic story lines than adult ones, or that they involve a coming-of-age element, or that the voice seems younger and/or tamer. But none of those things is universally true. Not even close. So I'll say that YA novels need to have a teenaged protagonist.

 OT To what do you attribute our current cultural interest in paranormal romance?
LR If we're talking specifically about YA paranormal romance, I think it has a lot to do with magnifying (and entertainmentifying) the feelings of otherness that a lot of people have in their teen years. You know: in reality, we think things like "I'm fatter than everyone else" or "I'm nerdier than everyone else" or "I don't like the music that everyone else wants me to like," but in PNR stories, those things become "I have magical powers that I must keep secret" or, well, "My genie boyfriend is being hunted by his evil genie ex-boyfriend and nobody understands how I feel." Everything is bigger; everything is life-or-death. But that's on a metaphorical level. On a literal level, I think it's just really fun to read about magic.

 OT I loved that you commented on the popularity of paranormal romance in your book. Why did you make that choice?
LR Mostly because I wanted to ground The Art of Wishing in the real world-- and if you're a teenager (or anyone else, for that matter) in the real world today, you're going to have an awareness of all those stories. Margo, my narrator, has probably seen at least one Twilight movie (likely against her will), and she's probably read Cassandra Clare and seen True Blood on TV. So she has that context-- and the fact that she comments on being "one of those girls" is just taking that context one step further, into the land of self-awareness.

 OT How did define the rules of the world you created--in terms of how magic works, etc?
LR My version of genie mythology grew around the first draft of The Art of Wishing, mostly because there were certain things I wanted to do with Oliver, my genie character, and I could only do them if the rules of his magic meshed with the rules of his personality in a certain way. (For example, genies must truthfully answer all questions posed by their masters, and there are painful consequences if they don't. It takes a very specific sort of personality not to resent a rule like that. And Oliver doesn't resent it. He doesn't even mind, and even likes it sometimes. What does that say about him?) Once I had the groundwork of the mythology, I used a little method called Taking Advantage Of My Friends. I'd literally sit people down, lay out the rules of the magic I was writing about, and ask them to poke logic-holes in it, whereupon I would fill said logic-holes with more rules. It was really fun -- or, I should say, it is really fun, since I'm still doing it with books two and three.

 OT Writing The Art of Wishing, did you outline? How much did you know about your plot when you began?
LR Before I started writing, I mapped out the first few chapters of the book in my head -- right up to the point where Margo and Oliver, my narrator and my genie, meet for the first time. The story was going to be about their relationship, so I figured as long as I could get them into the same room, I'd be golden from that point on, right? Yeah, not so much. I'm definitely one of those "characters first, plot later" writers, so I pretty much made up the story as I went along. I knew certain midpoints that I wanted to hit, and I knew how I wanted it to end, but I didn't know how I'd get there. There's definitely something exciting about not knowing what's happening until your characters know -- but it also means there are a lot of wrong turns along the way.
 

]]>

OT At what point did you realize you were writing a trilogy?
LR About halfway through the first draft of The Art of Wishing, when my thus-far-unsuccessful attempts to flesh out my villain, Xavier, coincided with a comment that my friend made. Something about how the cultural perception of magic has shifted over time -- the kind of magic that includes things like superstition, religious ritual, etc. How fewer and fewer people nowadays (especially in modern American culture) treat magic as a fact of life, and how that evolution of perception correlates pretty evenly with scientific advancements and such. Makes sense, right? But what if it wasn't our perception that shifted over time, but instead the actual, literal presence of magic in the world? What if there's less magic now than there used to be, and our perceptions have just compensated?
That conversation unsettled me, since by that point I'd already grown pretty confident in what I was writing about. But the more I thought about it, the more I realized that I really wanted to write about that -- about disappearing magic -- and that a genie story was the perfect place to do it. It gave my villain context, and it widened my fictional world. And then I realized that I wouldn't possibly be able to do it all in one book. And I went, "Oh, crap."

OT Who is your favorite character in The Art of Wishing?

LR Oliver, hands down. Don't get me wrong; I love Margo, and I have a ridiculously large soft spot for Xavier, my villain -- but Oliver's been the heart of this story ever since I first thought about writing a genie book. I wanted a magical character whose life is basically defined by the boundaries of his magic, but who doesn't mind living that way. Who might, in fact, be happier living that way. And so, Oliver was born: an easygoing, eager-to-please sort of guy, content to define himself in terms of what his masters want to use his magic for. [But] scratch the surface even a little, and you find questions like “Why does he keep everyone at arm’s length?” and “Why doesn’t he just run away and hide, since he could literally die if he doesn’t?” Answering those questions opened up new layers of character for both me and Margo to deal with, and what does that lead do? More surface-scratching, and more questions with more answers. That’s the real reason he’s my favorite. Because I don’t think I will ever fully figure him out.

 OT What’s your writing process like?
LR Butt in chair, fingers on keyboard, tea within reach. That's how I write. But as far as the building of stories goes: I'm one of those people who spends ages on a first draft, because it's hard to keep myself from editing as I go along -- which, in turn, is because I like editing far more than I like drafting. I could edit for eons. Which is lucky, because in the publishing business, that's exactly what they want you to do.

 OT How does your work as an agent relate to your work as a novelist?
LR My work as an agent is largely editorial: reading books by clients and potential clients, with an eye toward whipping them into shape so I can show them to editors. And I love the editorial process just as much from the note-giving side as the note-taking side, largely because each informs the other. Looking critically at other writers' work is great for distancing myself enough from my own writing that I can look at it through a more objective lens.

 OT Any tips for novelists looking for an agent?
LR 1. Don't start looking for an agent until you have a complete, polished manuscript to show. 
2. Do your research; you don't want to send your awesome YA epic fantasy to an agent who's only looking for nonfiction, you know?
 3. Learn how the publishing industry works. This is the kind of business where you're better off if you know what you're getting into. I recommend Nathan Bransford’s blog as a starting point.

OT So, what do you think of Twilight?
LR That depends. Do you want the diplomatic answer of someone who enjoys seeing books make money, or do you want the feminist rant? I'll, uh, go with the former. Let's just say I'm not the right reader for that particular series.

The Honest Parent Series

2013-04-17T20:03:37Z

April's Honest Parent: Carrie Kaufman

My great parenting strength: Listening. I treat my kids like people who have a lot to learn, not children who should not be heard.

My greatest parenting weakness: I give in too much. I wish I was a little more strict and disciplined.

When it comes to parenting, I would rather not admit: I do tell them to shut up sometimes.

What have you learned about yourself specifically because you became a parent?
Oddly, being a mom made me feel more feminine.

How often do you compare yourself to what you think other parents are doing--or what you "should" be doing?
Never.

Describe your worst moment as a parent.
After the split, I was heartbroken and couldn't stop crying. I cried in front of the girls. They were only four and they didn't understand.

Is there one thing you give yourself a pass on?
Cleaning my house. I'm a single mom.

How has having kid/s affected your sex life?
That's a complicated one, since for me sex involves dating and dating involves time coordination. I don't bring someone home unless I'm serious, so that involves even more coordination. Would I have a girlfriend if I didn't have kids? Perhaps. But I wouldn't be happy with a woman who doesn't like kids, whether I had them or not.

How have you grown as a person since becoming a parent?
I've become more patient and a better planner.

If someone gave you a letter grade for your current parenting, what would it be?
I just asked my mother and she said A+.

What quality in yourself do you fear is most likely to lead to failure as a parent?
My lack of regularity and discipline. I'm very loosey-goosey. I've been trying to teach one of my daughters to play guitar off and on for over a year, and we can't seem to get a regular time. Unless I have a deadline, I'm toast. (By the way, I don't think this will lead to failure. That's pretty drastic. I just fear it will lead to my kids not having the discipline when they grow up.)

]]> If you could do it over again what would you do differently?
The girls and I were talking about this the other night. I had kids when I was older. They were teasing me about being an old mom. But I explained to them that if I had had kids when I was younger, then I likely wouldn't have had them. I would have popped different eggs - and maybe not two at once. I would likely have had a different donor. There's nothing I would do differently. Life is life. You choose your path and enjoy the journey.

Based on what you see in your child right now, what is your worst fear about him/her as an adult?
Again, I'm not sure about the word "fear." Delaney has always had things come easy, so when things get hard, she tends to quit. That is the issue I'm working on most with her - the value and ecstasy of hard work. Dixon is the twin who had to work to keep up with her sister. But she doesn't have a passion. Her sister is obsessed with reading and writing and fantasy. Dixon dabbles. I want her to find her passion.

What would you have done last year if you didn’t have children?
I would have been rather lonely not having these cool people to have fascinating conversations with.

How do you think you're doing in comparison to your parents?
Better. I'm older than they were when they had me. And I'm wiser.

What’s your most brutally honest parenting advice?
Motherhood does not equal martyrdom. Get over it. Stop sacrificing. They will not care. Live your life. Follow the dreams you can follow. Your children will see that and know that they should follow their dreams, too.

Would you want to be raised by you?
Yes. I'm a damn good mom. :)

Carrie Kaufman is a single mother of 10-year-old twins. She was the founder and publisher of PeformInk, Chicago's theatre industry newspaper, which was considered the bible of Chicago theatre for 20 years. She is currently working in the non-profit theatre world and writes two blogs: TheGayMom.com and KaufmanOnAmerica.com. Her daughters turned 10 in December.

Want to be our next honest parent? Message Our Town on Facebook.

Weekend Round-Up

2013-04-11T18:13:21Z

Enough with the snow! Only dogs like it. And not even all dogs. (Photo by Patty Michels)

It’s the second weekend in April and snow is in the forecast. I don’t know about you, but after a winter spent looking at pictures of Jon Hamm’s penis and somehow ruining my Iphone by sweating on it--the two are unrelated-- I’m ready to leave the house. Here are my six suggestions for things to do this weekend that will make you forget global warming.

1. Get free cookies
This week, Insomnia Cookies opened its first Chicago location in Lincoln Park. In honor of this, they are offering a free cookie to all customers who present their free cookie coupons, valid through April 15. For more information and to receive your free cookie coupon, visit the Insomnia Cookies Facebook page.

2. See Fleetwood Mac
The legendary British/American rock band plays Sat. Apr. 13, 8 p.m. at The United Center. Call 455-4500 for tickets.

3. Celebrate National Tom Hanks Day
This event benefits the actor’s favorite charity, Lifeline Energy. Admission to Headquarters on Saturday April 13 at noon is free, but a five dollar donation gets you a raffle ticket. And maybe the chance to kiss a mermaid.

4.Boobs!
Temple of Boobs: An Indiana Jones Burlesque offers up an all female burlesque parody of the "Indiana Jones" adventure flicks in which a sacred statue -- and the reputation of a dishonored village goddess -- are at stake. Fri., Apr. 12 at 10:30 p.m. Gorilla Tango Theatre

5. Attend an Art Opening
Chicago artist Chai Wolfman’s Meditation Lights opens at Bloom Yoga Studio. The event begins at 8 p.m Friday April 12. The artist says she’s inspired by “the architecture and noise of an urban environment and the comforting aspects of domestic life.”

When I googled 'Wrigleyville Cubs,' this came up, so this is what you get.
6. See the Cubs play the Giants at 1:20 p.m. April 14th. Just leave me out of it.

Sandra Smith Trades Up

2013-04-09T21:45:33Z

Whether working as a trader or a reporter for the FOX Business Network, Chicago born Sandra Smith has always known how to set a goal and achieve it. For years, she split her time reporting from the Chicago Mercantile Exchange (CME) and the New York Stock Exchange. However in a few weeks she’ll be living full time in Chicago. She spoke with Our Town about her experiences as a woman in the financial industry, her leap to reporting and how running track and trading aren’t as different as one might think.

Our Town What led you to become a trader?
Sandra Smith Early exposure to the financial industry and an aptitude for math. I worked for my father, then a floor trader at the Chicago Mercantile Exchange when I was in high school and college and got a head start understanding the ins and outs of trading. While studying at LSU, I excelled in mathematics and found I had a true calling for working in finance. After graduating, I worked to become officially licensed as a professional trader. The transition was a natural and smooth one.

OT As a woman, what's your experience as a trader been like?
SS In what has traditionally been a very male dominated environment, I have always felt very comfortable sitting on a trade desk or walking on a trading floor. When my dad introduced me to the financial markets at an early age, he never made a distinction between male or female, it was always about knowing your stuff. Math, charts, history of the markets, etc. For the same reason I loved running track at LSU, I love trading: nothing is subjective. In track there is a start line and a finish line. Whoever gets there first, wins. In trading, whoever buys and sells at the best price wins. Male or female.

OT Speaking of running, what role have sports played in your career?
SS Running track at LSU was instrumental in pushing me to test my limits. As an athlete one must set goals, work toward them, and when reached, strive to push past them. There were races in college when I shocked myself at what my body was capable of doing, the speed at which I was able to run. Because of that, I never rule anything out in my career. You never know how far you can go until you push yourself.

OT Any advice for other women interested in going into trading?
SS The industry has changed significantly in recent years, but the basics are still the same. Do your homework, know your goals, and find an edge. But edges don't last very long. Be willing to adapt to the environment.

OT What was it like to make the leap from trading to reporting?
SS It was a huge decision and not an easy one. I was experiencing a lot of success. But the opportunity to become a television business journalist [allowed me] to leverage everything I had learned and the contacts I had developed for the benefit of a larger audience. I was able to bring something very different to the table: real world experience.

OT What's the biggest misconception people have about reporting?
SS That we are reading a teleprompter. Like trading, I am required to use my expertise to analyze and react to quick moving markets and news in real-time.

OT What's next for you?
SS I dream big. Stay tuned.

The Hot Chicago Writer Blog

2013-04-04T22:17:10Z

Photo by Keith Griffith

April's Hot Writer: Alicia Eler

My genre: I am a writer, art critic and curator, focusing on visual art.

My literary influences: Federico García Lorca, Joan Didion, Jean-Paul Sartre, Simone de Beauvoir, Andy Warhol, Valerie Solanas (who shot Warhol, naturally), Ariel Levy, Susan Sontag, José Esteban Muñoz

My favorite art critics: Lori Waxman, Jerry Saltz, Kyle Chayka, Jason Foumberg, Jillian Steinhauer, Hrag Vartanian, Daniel Quiles

My favorite artists: Andy Warhol, Damien Hirst, Peregrine Honig, Maurizio Cattelan, Paul Chan, Rochelle Feinstein, David Ford, Cory Arcangel, Luana Perilli, Martha Rosler, Will Cotton

My favorite literary quote: "Words are loaded pistols." —Jean-Paul Sartre.

My favorite books of all time: Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll, Wayside School Is Falling Down by Louis Sachar, Einstein's Dreams by Alan Lightman, Being and Nothingness by Jean-Paul Sartre, Female Chauvanist Pigs: Women and the Rise of Raunch Culture by Ariel Levy, On Photography by Susan Sontag, Cruising Utopia: The Then and There of Queer Futurity by José Esteban Muñoz

I’m currently reading: Slouching Towards Bethlehem, by Joan Didion. I’m re-reading the titular essay, which provides an honest, if rather depressing, look at the drugged out hippie movement in San Francisco’s Haight-Ashbury district of the late 1960s.

My guilty pleasure book: I enjoy reading books about astrology and psychic abilities. Most recently, I read The Only Astrology Book You Will Ever Need and The Idiot's Guide to Being Psychic.

I can’t write without: Coffee, preferably in the form of a soy latte.

Worst line I ever wrote: “How many times do I have to tell you that I am a twin?”

Brief Bio: Alicia Eler is a writer, art critic and curator whose projects focus on American pop and consumer culture, social networked identities, and the history of queer aesthetics. Her recent reviews examine our modern perception of the natural world. Alicia is currently the Chicago correspondent for Hyperallergic and Artforum.com, visual art researcher for the Chicago Artists’ Resource, and writer and editor for the OtherPeoplesPixels.com blog. In Spring 2013, she will curate four shows with ACRE Exhibitions & Residency. Her writing has been published in Art21, Art Papers, RAW Vision Magazine (UK), Chicago Tribune, Chicago Sun-Times, Flavorpill, ReadWriteWeb and Time Out Chicago. She holds a BA in Art History from Oberlin College.

Saya Hillman's Fear Experiment

2013-04-02T22:32:02Z

On December 7th, 2009, Saya Hillman sent out the following email: “As you may know, I try to do things that scare and challenge me. I’ve come up with my next stupid, er, amazing, idea, and guess what? It involves you! Here’s the gist: A group of fun people, many of whom don’t know each other, with no dance skills, will work with a choreographer over a few months to learn dance routines to popular songs, culminating in a performance for friends in a theater.” Voila, Dance Experiment was born. Our Town spoke with Hillman about facing one’s fears.

Our Town So you came up with this great idea. How did you execute it?
Saya Hillman I hired a choreographer [and pretended I knew what I was talking about during the interview]. I rented out a dance studio [and pretended I knew the answers to questions about mirrors, dimensions, and floor types]. I scoured the city for a performance venue [and pretended I knew the meanings of words such as "proscenium" and "thrust"]. Seventeen non-dancers rehearsed for four hours a week, for three months. And in April 2010, we performed in front of three hundred and fifty people. But that wasn’t the end. Inquiry after inquiry about Dance Experiment Two came pouring in. What I thought would be a one-time adventure turned into what I imagine to be life-long friendships [and some love-ships], and another branch of Mac ‘n Cheese Productions.

OT What sort of people do you find Dance Experiment attracts?
SH People going through a transition (divorce, new job, new city, friends moving away/getting married/having kids) People who feel stagnant, have the same routine, the same friends, the same day in and day out. People willing to be open to the unknown and to challenge. One of my favorite aspects of FE though is that it's attractive to people of all ages, races, jobs, locations, marital status, economic status -- universally loved!

OT How do you go about finding an instructor?
SH I have to turn down instructor-hopefuls -- as far as teaching gigs go, this is a great position! The instructors are given complete autonomy to choose songs, routines, games, styles, and thus can really let their creativity shine. It's pretty awesome to see your creations come to life on a stage like the Park West, in front of 700+. They also have an opportunity to make not only the income that I pay them, but supplemental income from their students, as students hire them for private rehearsals and/or continued classes post-Fear Experiment. Not to mention their students support them via attending the instructors' shows and recommending that their companies hire them! Working with the participants is also a favorite aspect for instructors, as they're people who don't want to do their art-form for a living, they're just doing it to have fun, to play, to laugh, to stretch themselves. There's no fighting for stage time or trying to impress the teacher. It's pure love and fun.

OT Why require participants to sign up alone?
SH When you do something with people you know, you often don't leave their sides nor are you pushed to challenge yourself. It also levels the playing field -- you don't need to be nervous about not knowing anyone, because no one knows anyone! This element gives people courage to sign up.

OT Why is it important to face your fears?
SH I always say embrace your suckage. Turn negatives into positives. It's quite the source of empowerment when you're able to overcome a fear, especially when you make the conscious choice to do so. If you spend your life being scared and standing on the sidelines, you'll never truly live. I would much rather try and fail, then stay still and never progress.

]]> OT How did Marconi Elementary Community Academy get involved and what’s their role?
SH I've taught digital media to kids in under-resourced areas across the city for seven years. The current Fear Experiment kids are in an afters chool program where I used to teach; I taught video, photography, computer skills, and entrepreneurship at Marconi for four years. The program is run by Chicago Arts Partnerships in Education (CAPE), which brings teaching artists into schools. I have a Do Good component to each show, where I bring together communities who normally wouldn't intersect. Last show, it was adults dealing with homelessness and unemployment via Inspiration Corporation; this show, the Marconi students, who live in a high-poverty community on the West Side, are back for the last time, as this is the final year of the grant that allows them to participate. We also just found out that Marconi is one of the schools slated to be closed next year.

OT What can audiences expect from the event?
SH Every show, we hear, "I had no idea what to expect, but I loved it!" Usually, audience members only know about the art-form of the person they're coming to support; e.g. if someone is in the dance portion, their friends and family think they're coming to see a dance performance. So they're usually surprised when there's a whole 'nother art-form being performed, not to mention the Do Good component. Expect an evening of inspiration, nerves, laughter, heart-warming stories and visuals, and most importantly, an evening of everyday joes and janes being rockstars in the most human, lovingly way. Not by being the most skilled, the most graceful, the most funny, but by throwing themselves 110% head on into fear and hugging the life out of it.

Fear Experiment Four will be at the Park West on Friday, April 5th, 2013. Tickets are $25 and are on sale now.

A writer with an MFA in Creative Writing from The School of the Art Institute of Chicago, Sarah Terez Rosenblum freelances for a number of web sites and print publications. Her debut novel, “Herself When She’s Missing," is forthcoming from Soft Skull, an imprint of Counterpoint Press. She is also a figure model, Spinning instructor and teacher at Chicago’s StoryStudio. Inevitably one day she will find herself lecturing naked on a spinning bike. She's kind of looking forward to it actually.
IMPORTANT: the official Our Town site doesn't support comments. Join in the conversation by following facebook.com/OurTownBlog.ChicagoSunTimes and Sarah on Twitter: @SarahTerez

Bradford Lund on Beautiful Broken

2013-03-28T21:47:50Z

Actor Bradford Lund is thinking about how hard it is to let go. A lead in Benjamin Brownson’s Beautiful Broken, Lund has thought a lot about the dramady’s themes--the messiness of relationships, peoples’ darker selves. “We hold onto people, things, ideals, disappointments.” Lund says. “There is no formula that can tell you how to move on.” Lund spoke with Our Town about relationships, rehearsal and Chicago theatre.

OT Beautiful Broken is set in the Chicago theatre scene. Why will non actors find the show interesting?
BL We can't help but be caught up in other people's business. Our need to change or inspire change in others is universal, whether our not you're involved in theatre. I also think humans enjoy watching each other being broken down and then built back up.

OT Brownson says the show grew out of a fascination with the messiness of relationships. How does that come through in the text?
BL The text definitely reflects a lot of diagnosing and/or misdiagnosing of relationship issues. It is fascinating to me that communication can be so hard won between couples whose foundation is built upon openness.

OT What aspects of your character do you particularly connect with?
BL I connect with Paul's need to improve the well being of the people around him. He sees the potential for opportunity and change in the lives of his best friend and girlfriend. There have been times in my life that I have chose to avoid dealing with my own problems, and instead project them onto others. Oops.

OT What’s the rehearsal process been like?
BL Playful, safe, and emotionally challenging. Thomas Murray is a very nurturing director. I also consider it a blessing to work so closely with the playwright.

OT What’s the best part of doing theater in Chicago?
BL The wide range of work being produced. There is incredibly brave work being done in some of the city's smallest storefronts. I love Chicago theatre because the vast majority are collaborating for the love of storytelling.

OT Who is your dream audience member?
BL Someone who is listening and being attentive. Someone who is respectful of the actors and other audience members around them.

OT Tips for actors just starting out?
BL Get involved. See shows. Take a class. Be patient. Be humble.

"Beautiful Broken" runs March 29 through April 21. Purchase tickets here.

A writer with an MFA in Creative Writing from The School of the Art Institute of Chicago, Sarah Terez Rosenblum freelances for sites like Pop Matters and
afterellen.com Her debut novel, “Herself When She’s Missing," was called “poetic and heartrending” by ALA Booklist. Sarah is also a figure model, Spinning instructor and teacher at Chicago’s StoryStudio. Inevitably one day she will find herself lecturing naked on a spinning bike. She's kind of looking forward to it actually.
IMPORTANT: the official Our Town site doesn't support comments. Join in the conversation by following facebook.com/OurTownBlog.ChicagoSunTimes and Sarah on Twitter: @SarahTerez and Facebook.

The Chicago Runner Series

2013-03-25T21:00:42Z

Name: Anna Unger

Age: 32

Day job: Bookkeeper

Why do you run? I love the feeling of giving my all and being totally worn out in the best possible way.

How long have you been running? A little over 2 years.

What makes someone a runner? Anyone who runs is a runner, whether they believe it or not.

Miles per week: On an average week when I'm not training for something specific, 20-25 miles.

Mile time: For a leisurely run: 10-10:30. If I'm pushing myself to the max: 8:30-9:00.

Races you’ve competed in (if any): Rock 'n' Roll Chicago Half Marathon, F^3 Lake Half Marathon, Chicago Half Marathon, Chicago Marathon

Favorite running route(s): You can't beat the lakefront path. Beautiful all year round and much less crowded in the wintertime.

Best run: 2012 Chicago Half Marathon. Everything fell into place. I had done a handful of half marathons before this and there was always something holding me back, from high temperatures to injury. On this day, though, the weather was cool, the sun was shining, I was running fast, I felt great and my friends were there to greet me when I finished.

Worst run: Any time I'm running, I'm happy. That being said, I did a 16 mile training run this summer on a very hot day and I was very glad when that was over. After a while my legs just stopped working like I needed them to, so I stopped and walked for a while. Then I used all my energy to run the last mile. Even so, that run was very important to my training. Sometimes your worst runs show you just how much you are capable of. It may have been hard, but I finished those 16 miles and even though I walked some of it, I didn't quit.
]]> Do you run with music? I used to, but one day I stopped and I never looked back. I love to be present in my running, to hear my feet on the ground and all the sounds around me.

Favorite Running Gadget: I wear a simple Timex Ironman watch. Nothing fancy, but it does the job.

The Treadmill-- Discuss. To be avoided if at all possible. With the right clothing, running outside is possible all year long. No need to torture yourself with stationery running. However, given the lack of hills in Chicago, the treadmill can be a good stand-in.

Favorite time to run: Sunrise

Best pre-run meal: A Larabar and coconut water. Simple and delicious.

Tips on running through a Chicago winter? Find a group to run with. On cold Saturday mornings when you might otherwise want to stay in bed, knowing a big group of friends is waiting to go running with you is a great motivation. I run with the Chicago Endurance Sports Winter Warriors and they keep me running all winter long. Also, get a warm pair of tights and a neck gaiter to keep the wind off your face.

Favorite temperature range: 45-55 and sunny!

What running gear do you love? For winter, I love my Brooks Utopia Thermal Tights. They keep me warm no matter how cold it gets.

Tips for a novice runner? Don't be too concerned with how fast or slow you are. Just get out there and run. The speed will come with time and practice.

Biggest accomplishment: Finishing the Chicago Marathon. Difficult and emotional and so totally worth the pain I was feeling by mile 26.

Brief Bio: Anna is a runner and a fundraiser for the American Cancer Society DetermiNation program. When she's not running, she likes to play the banjo and try new raw and vegan foods.

A writer with an MFA in Creative Writing from The School of the Art Institute of Chicago, Sarah Terez Rosenblum freelances for sites like Pop Matters and
afterellen.com Her debut novel, “Herself When She’s Missing," was called “poetic and heartrending” by ALA Booklist. Sarah is also a figure model, Spinning instructor and teacher at Chicago’s StoryStudio. Inevitably one day she will find herself lecturing naked on a spinning bike. She's kind of looking forward to it actually.
IMPORTANT: the official Our Town site doesn't support comments. Join in the conversation by following facebook.com/OurTownBlog.ChicagoSunTimes and Sarah on Twitter: @SarahTerez and Facebook.

Fighting the Good Fight

2013-03-20T18:28:36Z

Event planner and catering lead Jodi Fyfe has long been an integral part of the Chicago hospitality scene. Since 2005, she’s brought her skills to bear on an endeavor close to her heart. After Fyfe’s cousin died of breast cancer, Fyfe created Tickled Pink and Carrie’s Crusade, both of which help raise funds to fight breast cancer. Fyfe spoke with Our Town about her campaign.

Our Town What motivated you to create Tickled Pink?
Jodi Fyfe I created Tickled Pink in 2004 after my cousin and best friend, Carrie Kenney, lost her battle with breast cancer. After Carrie's death at the tragically young age of 35, I was determined to keep my cousin’s fun-loving spirit alive. I formed a team for a 2004 breast cancer walk. She was the best person I knew, and I wanted to find another way to remember her the way that she lived, always so vibrant and fun-loving, and she inspired me so much. So Tickled Pink was born!

OT How do you think you were able to transform grief into proactive goal-setting?
JF Year after year, in her honor, I continue to give back to breast cancer organizations so that they can help others like Carrie deal with the questions, fear, and pain she faced while battling breast cancer. My continued goal is to help get the word out and generate money so no one else has to face this battle alone.

OT How does Tickled Pink work?
JF In 2005, I gathered a group of close friends and colleagues to start Tickled Pink Chicago in honor of Carrie. In February 2005, the first Tickled Pink party was thrown and we raised $35,000. Every year, the party and team of individuals that came together to celebrate those affected by breast cancer have grown, and to date [we’ve] raised more than $900,000. We all dedicate and donate our time to plan and leverage our business connections to sponsor this wonderful event. From the venue, to the catering and food sponsors, lighting, décor, entertainment, we have a great committee.

OT What sort of work does Carrie’s Crusade do to raise awareness?
JF We partner with breast cancer organizations to help raise funds for their programs, support networks and help get the word out. We are proud to be walking in the Komen Chicagoland Race for the Cure on Mother's Day as part of Carrie's Crusade. The event raises money to support breast cancer education and screening in the Chicagoland area, and funds research in hopes of finding a cure for breast cancer.

OT What are your fundraising/ awareness raising plans right now?
JF We are hoping to sign up at least 100 people to walk with Carrie's Crusade in the Komen Chicagoland Race for the Cure and aim to be among the largest fundraising teams. We are also gearing up for Tickled Pink 2014 which will be held again at River East Art Center on Friday, February 28th 2014.

To learn more or get involved go here.

A writer with an MFA in Creative Writing from The School of the Art Institute of Chicago, Sarah Terez Rosenblum freelances for sites like Pop Matters and
afterellen.com Her debut novel, “Herself When She’s Missing," was called “poetic and heartrending” by ALA Booklist. Sarah is also a figure model, Spinning instructor and teacher at Chicago’s StoryStudio. Inevitably one day she will find herself lecturing naked on a spinning bike. She's kind of looking forward to it actually.
IMPORTANT: the official Our Town site doesn't support comments. Join in the conversation by following facebook.com/OurTownBlog.ChicagoSunTimes and Sarah on Twitter: @SarahTerez and Facebook.

Monique Madrid Will Cut You(r Hair)

2013-03-06T21:04:11Z

Personally, I think you’d have to be crazy to let someone cut your hair onstage, but that’s just what Monica Barcelona invites her guests to do in Bitch, I'll Cut You, her improv-based show. In the show’s latest incarnation, comedians Justin Kauffman, Kelsie Huff and Corey Rittmaster join Barcelona for salon style gossip while special guest Claire Zulkey gets a haircut. Our Town spoke with Monique Madrid aka Monica Barcelona about comedy and makeup tips.

Our Town Which came first for you, comedy or hair cutting?
Monique Madrid I’ve been a licensed cosmetologist since I was 19, so technically that came before my comedy career, but I was in my first improv troupe when I was 16. Plus as a kid I would recite Gilda Radner scenes and make short funny videos with the heavy, giant video camera my parents gave me. In high school, I was always the girl that would fix my friend’s hair, sometimes even cut it, so I guess I’ve kind of always done both, just not always professionally.

OT What are the best parts of being a stylist?
MM I meet really cool people and get to know them in a way a lot of other jobs wouldn’t allow for. It’s such an intimate setting that my clients tend to open up. Plus I get to hear some pretty juicy gossip. I’m like a priest, just less judgmental. Another great thing about being a stylist is that I honestly love to make people feel good about themselves. On the surface, hair and makeup may seem superficial, but self-esteem is important and it’s nice to know that I can help in that way, while still being creative myself.

OT And the worst?
MM The downside can be dealing with difficult clients. Luckily I don’t have many. Occasionally, I’ll get a bridezilla, but for the most part if I can win them over, they trust me and chill out. The other downside is feeling like I always have to look good. People don’t want a stylist who looks like crap, but sometimes I don’t feel like doing my hair or makeup. Overall though, those are pretty small issues. I really do love the job.

OT What’s your experience been like on the Chicago comedy scene?
MM I’ve been in almost all the different comedy circles, from improv, to sketch and writing, teaching comedy, being a part of the Second City family and most recently the standup world. This business is hard. It’s competitive, it doesn’t pay much (yet!), especially for all the work you put in and if you don’t grow thick skin, it can really get you down at times. If you really love it though, it’s worth the sacrifices. Chicago is such an amazing city for comedy. There are so many opportunities to learn, be inspired and experiment to find your own voice. Though, I’ve been here for over 9 years, I feel like these days I’m really finding myself and carving my own path.
]]> OT How did you come up with the idea to combine theater and hair cutting?
MM I can’t take the credit for the idea of cutting someone’s hair on stage. A friend mentioned it. At first I couldn’t understand why anyone would want to watch a haircut, because it’s so normal for me, but time after time, people tell me how interesting it is. Now I realize it makes perfect sense. I’m able to combine my two passions and do something different.

OT How do you get your guest to agree to get their hair cut onstage?
MM For the most part the only issues I’ve had has been with their availability. My mom always told me that it never hurts to ask, so that’s all I do, just ask. Of course it doesn’t hurt that I have experience in the comedy scene and when they see that experience and that I’m a licensed stylist, not just some lady with scissors, they’re excited to be a part of it.

OT What can audience members expect from the show?
MM It’s sort of talk show meets Barber Shop. The show starts with a set by She’s Crafty, the all-female Beastie Boys Tribute (they are amazing!). Then the other comedians and I will chat it up. While they hang out on stage, I’ll cut my guest’s hair. I play a big crazy character named, “Monica Barcelona”. She’s very sassy, yet truly wants people to feel beautiful. So while I might give my guests a little shit, I’m going to take good care of them.

OT Bonus question: What’s the best makeup tip you can offer to someone like me who has no idea what the hell she’s doing?
MM Good makeup starts with a good pallet, so take care of your skin. Drink lots of water, never go to bed with makeup on and my little secret is almond oil. It’s completely replaced my makeup remover and lotion. I don’t even use face soap anymore. Not only does it makes your skin soft, so the makeup goes on better, you also get a great glow. Plus I’ve saved a ton of money.

"Bitch, I'll Cut You" plays Mary's Attic, Thursday March 7 at 7:30 p.m.