Rivendell Theatre Ensemble Presents Town Hall Series

Rivendell Theatre Ensemble (RTE), Chicago's only Equity theatre dedicated to producing new work with women at the core, announces Town Hall panel discussions in conjunction with its production of Grizzly Mama by George Brant. The production, directed by RTE member Megan Carney, runs September 8 - October 15, 2016, at Rivendell Theatre Ensemble, 5779 N. Ridge Avenue in Chicago. The Town Hall events will take place at the theater October 1, 8 and 15, 2016.

Set in an Alaskan cabin where Deb, a divorced suburban mom is attempting to reinvent herself as a righteous, liberal avenger is Grizzly Mama -- the final production of Rivendell's 2016 season "The Body Politic" in which the political is deeply personal. Deb is fresh from the funeral for her recently deceased, famous activist mother. Her daughter, Hannah, is a typical texting teenager - that is, until she discovers the real reason why mom moved them next door to a certain Alaskan presidential candidate. A dark comedy about motherhood, murder and moose.

Town Hall series, offers free panel discussions with experts to complement the production. The discussions follow the 4pm matinees on the following dates.

Saturday, October 8

Culture of Violence with panelists Sarah Ludden and Samara Safarik

• Sarah Ludden Co-director and co-head instructor of Seido karate programs at Thousand Waves Martial Arts & Self-Defense Center, NFP, 1991 to the present. We provide martial arts and self-defense programs to foster fitness, healing, empowerment and peacemaking in our communities. I am honored to participate in this critical discussion on the cycles of violence and the path towards peacemaking.
• Samara Safarik is the Madison Chapter Lead for Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America. She became involved in gun violence prevention work after the Sandy Hook tragedy and now works with volunteers, community leaders and legislators at the state and federal level to implement common sense prevention strategies. Moms Demand Action also educates families about safe storage, fights to keep guns out of sensitive places such as schools, and is the strongest counterweight to the gun lobby and NRA leadership. They're also working to support gun sense candidates up and down the ticket. Samara lives in Madison, is a professional actress and mama to two young daughters who are her daily inspiration for cultivating a future of peace.

Saturday, October 15

Making Waves about Feminism with panelists Ann Christophersen and M Shelly Conner

• Ann Christophersen is co-founder of Women & Children First and was co-owner of the bookstore for thirty-five years. In retirement she sees the world ever more clearly through a feminist lens and studies contemporary art and other subjects through OLLI, a continuing education program affiliated with Northwestern University.
• M Shelly Conner is an instructor in the Engish Department of Loyola University Chicago and a Gender and Women's Studies Scholar.

About Rivendell Theatre Ensemble

Founded in 1994, Rivendell Theatre Ensemble advances women's lives through the power of theatre. Rivendell cultivates the talents of women artists -- writers, actors, directors, designers and technicians - by seeking out innovative plays that explore unique female experiences and producing them in intimate, salon environments.

Rivendell fills an important role in the Chicago region as the only Equity theatre dedicated to producing artistically challenging and original plays created by and about women. After years of being an itinerant company, we moved into our own theater space in 2010 in Edgewater. As new members of the neighborhood, we are focused on becoming an integral community partner and serving as a catalyst to engage our audiences in a discussion of local social issues.

For more information about Rivendell Theater Ensemble, http://rivendelltheatre.org. Follow RTE on Facebook at Facebook.com/rivendelltheatre and on Twitter @RivendellThtr.

Rivendell Theatre Ensemble is supported by generous grants from Allstate Insurance Company; The Alphawood Foundation; The Arts Work Fund for Organizational Development; The Chicago Community Trust; The Chicago Foundation for Women; The Elizabeth F. Cheney Foundation; The Gaylord and Dorothy Donnelley Foundation; The MacArthur Funds for Arts and Culture at The Richard H. Driehaus Foundation; The Reva and David Logan Foundation; The Elizabeth Morse Charitable Trust; SIF Fund at The Chicago Community Trust; The University of Illinois at Chicago Institute for Policy and Civic Engagement; Cultural Outreach Program Grant from the City of Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs & Special Events; and the Illinois Arts Council Agency. Rivendell Theatre Ensemble is also very grateful for the support received from 100 Women Who Care.

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