Artemisia We Women

Amplifying women’s voices in our world through performances, discussions and interviews, offered free to our listeners.

Our 2022 season examines how hierarchy and scarcity thinking create obstacles to realizing diversity and representation in our world.  Interviews and discussions with women from all sectors and four all-new feminist plays offer a deep dive into the challenges women face and the triumphs they achieve despite them. 

Hosted and produced by Julie Proudfoot and Willow James. 

We empower women, Artemisia Feminist Podcast

THANK YOU!!

 

We Women podcast was developed during the peak of COVID-19 global pandemic as a way to stay connected to our community and to keep theatre alive! After two years, we are happy to be returning to the stage with live theatre performances this 2022 season. While We Women will live on here and on buzzsprout, we announce with excitement and gratitude that the final episode drops Wednesday, March 16th. We at Artemisia are excited for what more we have to offer our faithful community this season. STAY TUNED!

Discussion

Farewell, We Women

March 16, 2022

On this (final) episode, Julie, Willow and Kelcey gather to bid farewell to the podcast. But, don’t worry! The podcast will continue to live on Buzzsprout and eventually, on YouTube. We want to thank each and every guest, actor, director and collaborator who has given us their time and artistry for the past few years. We could not have continued with you!

Discussion

Elizabeth Halajian

March 2, 2022

In this episode, Julie chats with Elizabeth Halajian, VP of Development at Harris Theatre in Chicago, about arts funding, the transformative power of arts and the challenges facing arts organizations after two years of a pandemic. 

SPECIAL EPISODE: Interview w/ our NEW Managing Director

Willow James & Kelcey Anyá

February 9, 2022

In a special episode, Willow sits down with Artemisia’s new (and first) Managing Director, Kelcey Anyá. They get into Kelcey’s Louisiana roots, how she redefined feminism for herself and what piece of advice she’d give to anyone listening. Welcome to the Artemisia family, Kelcey!

Discussion

Julie Proudfoot & Willow James

Season 2, Episode 1

January 26, 2022

Willow James and Julie Proudfoot discuss how hierarchy and scarcity thinking create obstacles to realizing diversity and representation in our world.  They introduce the interviews and discussions that Season 2 will offer along with audio performances of four all-new feminist plays.

Audio Performance

Julie Proudfoot & Willow James

Podcast #147

TROJAN WOMEN

December 15, 2021

Willow James and Julie Proudfoot perform selected scenes from Euripides’ classic tragedy and discuss the play’s feminist themes and impact on today’s world.  Join us for this exciting final podcast of 2021.

Donate here.  Stay tuned for exciting announcements by subscribing to our email newsletter at ARTEMISIATHEATRE.ORG.

#GivingTuesday

Julie Proudfoot & Willow James

Podcast #146

November 30, 2021

Artistic Director Julie Proudfoot and Podcast Producer and Sound Designer Willow James go LIVE on Artemisia’s Facebook page for #GivingTuesday!  We talk about the hiring of our Managing Director, the headshot raffle and why it’s important to support Artemisia’s work of empowering women.  Every dollar raised will go to fund our new Managing Director’s salary.  Thank you for helping us reach our goal of $7,500.

Donate here.  Stay tuned for exciting announcements by subscribing to our email newsletter at ARTEMISIATHEATRE.ORG.

Audio Performance

Euripides’ Iphigenia at Tauris

Julie Proudfoot & Willow James

Podcast #145

November 10, 2021

Julie Proudfoot and Willow James perform selected scenes from Euripides’ classic feminist play.  Don’t miss this exciting episode that celebrates tragic heroines in their struggles against the patriarchy.

Tragic

Heroines

Julie Proudfoot & Willow James

Podcast #144

October 27, 2021

Julie Proudfoot and Willow James talk tragic heroines!  Why they’re misunderstood and under appreciated and what we gain as a modern society when we look back on the great leading female characters penned by Euripides.

Willow and Julie delve into some controversial and fascinating dramaturgy about this great Greek playwright; offer insight into our current culture’s struggle with misogyny; invite listeners to get ready for our final podcasts of the season.

Our Managing Director Fundraiser is underway!  Just 10 bucks enters you in a raffle to win a free headshot session with awesome photographer Willow James!  Give to enter at ARTEMISIATHEATRE.ORG!

Fundraiser Raffle 

Win Free Headshots

Willow James, Photographer

Podcast #143

October 13, 2021

For only $10, you can enter into a raffle in support of our fundraiser to hire a Managing Director next year. What will you win? A headshot session package with We Women co-producer and Resident Sound Designer Willow James! 

This episode, Julie & Willow chat about the fundraiser, Willow’s work and how to enter! Visit our website for all info. 

ENTER THE RAFFLE TODAY

 

Empowering Discussion

Close the Book

By Susan Glaspell

Podcast #142

September 29, 2021

Director Charlique C. Rolle and actors Elissa Wolf, Simon Hedger, Sandy Spatz, Michael Lomenick, Daria Harper, David Goodloe, and Elisabeth Del Toro discuss privilege, women’s empowerment and the contemporary themes of Susan Glaspell’s 1917 one-act about an elite university family.

Moderated by Artistic Director and We Women Producer, Julie Proudfoot

Audio Performance

Close the Book

by Susan Glaspell

Podcast #141

September 15, 2021

A comedy about an elite family enjoying their status as the power brokers of a University founded by their ancestors. Their grandson, a professor at the University, creates a controversy when he announces his engagement to a beautiful outspoken liberal with gypsy ancestry.

CAST
JHANSI – ELISSA WOLF
PEYTON – SIMON HEDGER
MRS. ROOT – SHERI REDA
MRS. PEYTON – SANDY SPATZ
BESSIE – DARIA HARPER
SENATOR BYRD – DAVID GOODLOE
MRS. BYRD – ELISABETH DEL TORO
UNCLE GEORGE – MICHAEL LOMENICK

Directed by Charlique C. Rolle
Sound Design by Willow James

Roe v. Wade Under Attack

Willow James & Julie Proudfoot

Podcast #140

September 8, 2021

Willow James hosts a special episode in response to the Supreme Court ruling to allow the new law banning abortion in Texas to stand.  He interviews Julie Proudfoot on her Substack essay “Roe v. Wade.” Find out Julie’s inspiration for writing the essay and learn about some of the myths around the ruling. Willow and Julie have a dedicated discussion about the erosion of women’s reproductive rights, an issue we should ALL be concerned about.

ALL WE WOMEN EPISODES FREE TO OUR LISTENERS!

 

Social Justice Interview

Karen Hawkins

Podcast #139

September 1, 2021

Artistic Director Julie Proudfoot chats with founder & Rebelle-in-Chief of Rebellious Magazine, Karen Hawkins!  Listen to this bold and exciting interview about feminism, Karen’s career and the challenges of running a feminist organization.

ALL WE WOMEN EPISODES FREE TO OUR LISTENERS!

 

AUDIO PERFORMANCE

Euripides’ MEDEA

Podcast #138

August 18, 2021

Adapted & Performed by Julie Proudfoot

Soundscape by Willow James

Sound Designer Willow James and writer and actor Julie Proudfoot reimagine the tragedy of Medea as a solo character study of Medea’s inner struggles and lust for freedom and power.  Medea, a barbarian princess, is betrayed by her husband Jason when he abandons her to marry a Greek princess, gaining wealth and political power. Though he returns and promises to keep her as a mistress, Medea murders her and Jason’s sons and her husband’s new wife before escaping to Athens.  Join us for a bold feminist interpretation of this great Greek classic.

This adaptation is based on the 1912  translation into English rhyming verse by Gilbert Murray, M.A., L.L.D., who was a professor of Greek at the University of Glasgow & Fellow of New College, Oxford.

Chicago Theatre & Activism in the Arts

Podcast #137

Moderated by Myesha-Tiara & Willow James

August 4, 2021

Artemisia welcomes four outstanding leaders in the Chicago Community to We Women for this very special podcast episode.  Jackie Taylor, the CEO and Founder of Black Ensemble Theatre, Rena Henderson Mason, Founder and Chief Engagement Officer of Bold Agenda, Ilesa Duncan, Artistic Director of Lifeline Theatre, and Dionna Griffin-Irons, writer, producer, alumna performer, and the longtime former Director of Diversity Talent and Inclusion for The Second City will discuss the current challenges facing theatre and the artistic community in Chicago.  The Intersection of Theatre & Community panel will be led by BIPOC theatre artists Willow James, the podcast’s co-host and co-producer, and Myesha-Tiara, the Artistic Director of Perceptions Theatre and an actor and director who has worked extensively with Artemisia.

SUMMER FUN FUNDRAISER

Julie Proudfoot & Willow James

July 21

Podcast #136

Artemisia Artistic Director Julie Proudfoot is joined by podcast co-producer and resident sound designer Willow James to raise money in support of Artemisia’s #empoweringwomen work. Enjoy this special edition podcast and please consider making a donation to help us meet our $2,000 goal.  We #EmpowerWomen together.  “When you come to Artemisia, you are hearing the truth.  If you believe in equity, inclusion, belonging – you can be part of that here.”  -E. Faye Butler (Legendary Performer, President, Artemisia’s Board of Directors.)

Audio Performance

AFTERMATH

by Mary Burrill

July 7

Podcast #135

Set in rural South Carolina, a Black soldier returning from serving his country in World War I discovers that his father has been lynched.  Burrill, a Black gay feminist playwright, was part of the Harlem Renaissance and penned social justice plays that fearlessly confronted racial oppression.

CAST
MAM SUE – RJW MAYS
MILLIE – AMBER SALLIS
REV LUKE MOSEBY – TOUSSAINT STEVENS JR.
LONNIE – JABARI KHALIQ
MRS. HAWKINS – TOMA LYNN SMITH
JOHN – EMERSON ELIAS

Directed by Willow James
Sound Design by Willow James

Special Episode

GOODS ZOOM ROOM

June 23

Podcast #134

Featuring award-winning playwright, Lauren Ferebee

Take a deep dive into the amazing process used to create Artemisia’s critically acclaimed virtual world premiere of GOODS, by Lauren Ferebee.  Our Guests include Lauren Ferebee (playwright), John Stanley Walch, Assistant Professor of Theatre at University of Arkansas (Lauren’s mentor), Mary Zanger (Artemisia Board Member), Willow James (Sound Designer), Peter Marston Sullivan (Videographer) and Shariba Rivers (Sam).  Moderated by Julie Proudfoot (Marla) this is a fascinating conversation you do not want to miss.

Special Episode

Intersection of Theatre & Community

Willow James & Myesha-Tiara

Podcast #133

June 9, 2021

Myesha-Tiara and Willow James team up to talk about the intersection of theatre and community in Chicago.  Inspired by We Women audio performances of RACHEL, by Angelina W. Grimke, and AFTERMATH, by Mary Burrill, Willow and Myesha will introduce an exciting new episode coming up at WE WOMEN.  Be sure to listen to our audio performances of RACHEL and AFTERMATH.

Audio Performance

Rachel

by Angelina W. Grimke

Podcast #132

May 26, 2021

Time/Place:  The first decade of the Twentieth Century.  A northern city.

A sensitive and well-educated young Black woman loves children and, when she meets the man of her dreams, is eager to raise a family with him.  But her hopes of blissful family life are destroyed when she is forced to come to terms with American racism.

CAST
MRS. MARY LOVING – SHARIBA RIVERS

RACHEL LOVING – TIFFANY YVONNE COX

THOMAS LOVING – HECTOR PENA JR.

JIMMY MASON – DONOVAN SESSION

JOHN STRONG – TAMARUS HARVELL

MRS. LANE – TARINA BRADSHAW

ETHEL LANE – NIA VINES

Directed by Myesha-Tiara
Sound Design by Willow James

Social Justice Interview

TABBY BIDDLE

Podcast #131

May 12, 2021

Julie Proudfoot interviews Tabby Biddle, who has worked at the intersection of women’s leadership, feminine spirituality and social change for nearly two decades.  Tabby is the founder of TAB Media, the co-founder of 50 Women Can Change the World in Media & Entertainment, the author of the bestselling book, Find Your Voice: A Woman’s Call to Action, and an internationally recognized women’s leadership coach, educator, strategist, and group facilitator for her unique approach to activating women’s leadership.

Empowering Discussion

Bold Stroke for a Wife

by Susanna Centlivre

Podcast #130

April 28, 2021

We Women Producer and Host Julie Proudfoot moderates a no-holds-barred discussion about gender parity, women’s empowerment and feminist sexuality with members of the incredible creative team of BOLD STROKE FOR A WIFE.  Director Molly Lyons, Sound Designer Willow James, and actors Emi Clark, John Ham, Kevin Gladish, Millie Hurley and Ross Frawley share surprising discoveries about Centlivre’s shockingly modern 18th Century comedy.

Audio Performance

Bold Stroke for a Wife

by Susanna Centlivre

Podcast #129

April 14, 2021

A military officer falls madly in love with a young woman and dons four different disguises to convince her powerful and extremely disagreeable guardians to grant him her hand in marriage.

TIME/PLACE:  18th Century England

CAST
SIR PHILIP MODELOVE – JARED DENNIS

PERIWINKLE – KEVIN GLADISH

TRADELOVE – DAVID GOODLOE

OBEBIAH PRIM – MARK PRACHT

COLONEL FAINWELL – JEFFREY BAUMGARTNER

FREEMAN – JOHN HAM

SIMON PURE – SEAN ERIK WESSLUND

MR. SACKBUT – ROSS FRAWLEY

MRS. LOVELY – EMI CLARK

MRS. PRIM – MILLIE HURLEY

BETTY – SCOTTIE CALDWELL

Directed by Molly Lyons
Sound Design by Willow James

Social Justice Interview

Carla Stillwell

Podcast #128

March 31, 2021

Black Beauty & Black Joy

We Women Co-Producer and Artemisia Resident Sound Designer Willow James interviews Carla Stillwell, award-winning actor, playwright and director.  Ms. Stillwell is the founder and Executive Director of The Stillwell Institute of Contemporary Black Art on Chicago’s South Side.  Its mission is to recruit, develop and support contemporary Black artists and to teach art making in the Black community as a healing practice, a vehicle for social change and a viable career opportunity.

Empowering Discussion

Opposing Ophelia

by Deneen Reynolds-Knott

Podcast #127

March 17, 2021

We Women Producer and Host Julie Proudfoot moderates a BRAVE discussion about beauty, feminism and the freedom to embrace your true self with the incredible creative team of OPPOSING OPHELIA.  Playwright Deneen Reynolds-Knott, Director Celeste M. Cooper, Sound Designer and Co-Producer Willow James are joined by actors Tiffany Yvonne Cox; Abie Irabor; Martasia Jones & Cajardo Lindsey.

Audio Performance

Opposing Ophelia

by Deneen Reynolds-Knott

Podcast #126

March 3, 2021

Yvette, a former model and student at the Ophelia Devore School of Modeling & Charm, is confronted with new ideas about beauty, blackness and womanhood, when her daughter, Nina, joins the National Black Feminist Organization in 1973.

PLACE & TIME
New York, New York – 1952/1973

CAST
MISS DEVORE – TIFFANY YVONNE COX

YVETTE ROGERS – ABIE IRABOR

NINA ROGERS – MARTASIA JONES

ALBERT ROGERS – CAJARDO LINDSEY

Directed by Celeste M. Cooper
Sound Design by Willow James

Social Justice Interview

Sandra Gonzalez

Immigration Justice

Podcast #125

FEBRUARY 17, 2021

Julie Proudfoot interviews Sandra Gonzalez, a former high school Spanish for native speakers teacher, a Ph.D. student, a community organizer, and a first-time candidate running for Waubonsee Community College trustee. She is the executive director of the Aurora Rapid Response Team, a non-profit, that advocates for the rights of immigrant communities in the Aurora area. Additionally, she is a doctoral student at Illinois State University, studying educational administration and foundations with a research focus on education and the influence of the Central American diaspora.

Empowering Discussion

What About The Children

by Sharai Bohannon

Podcast #124

FEBRUARY 3, 2021

Julie Proudfoot moderates an empowering discussion with the creative team of Sharai Bohannon’s one-act play, What About The Children.  Playwright Sharai Bohannon, Director Myesha-Tiara, Co-Producer and Sound Designer Willow James, and actors Joseph Ramski and Jessamyn Fitzpatrick weigh in on the impact of the rise in immigration injustice and violence toward refugee children during the last four years.  It’s a fascinating discussion of how social injustice shapes our daily lives in which the political is always deeply personal.

Audio Performance

What About The Children

by Sharai Bohannon

Podcast #123

JANUARY 20, 2021

The wife of an ICE officer has had enough.  Written for Protest Plays Project’s #TheatreActionImmigration.

Directed by Myesha-Tiara

Sound Design by Willow James

CAST

Sonya – Jessamyn Fitzpatrick

Matt – Joseph Ramski

INTERVIEW with E. FAYE BUTLER

Podcast #122

November 30, 2020

Hosted by Julie Proudfoot, Sound Design by Willow James

Julie Proudfoot interviews the ever-amazing E. Faye Butler, Chicago legend and award-winning actor who has recently joined Artemisia’s Board of Directors.  E. Faye shares her lifelong passion for the art of performance and her dedication to amplifying women’s voices on stage and off by sharing their empowering stories.

PLAY DISCUSSION

EVERY WAITING HEART, by Lauren Ferebee

Podcast #121

November 24, 2020

Moderated by Julie Proudfoot, Sound Design by Willow James

Julie Proudfoot moderates a discussion with Willow James (Sound Designer) and actors Patty Malaney, Tamarus Harvell, Myesha-Tiara, Harmony Zhang, John Ham and Sarah Beth Tanner about their work on Lauren Ferebee’s EVERY WAITING HEART.  The way the play empowers women and challenges us to see women in a new light thru the lens of a “crisis of faith” take focus in this timely and transformative conversation.

AUDIO PERFORMANCE

EVERY WAITING HEART, by Lauren Ferebee

Podcast #120

November 10, 2020

AUDIO DRAMA of EVERY WAITING HEART, by Lauren Ferebee, performed by Patty Malaney, Myesha-Tiara, Harmony Zhang, Anita Kavuu-Ng’ang’a, Sarah Beth Tanner, Tamarus Harvell and John Ham.  Directed by Julie Proudfoot and Sound Designed by Willow James.

PLAY DISCUSSION

THEY THAT SIT IN DARKNESS, by Mary Burrill

Podcast #119

October  20, 2020

Actors Anita Kavuu Ng’ang’a and Angela Oliver are joined by sound designer Willow James to discuss their experience working on THEY THAT SIT IN DARKNESS.  Director Charlique C. Rolle contributes her views as the play’s director.  Artemisia Artistic Director Julie Proudfoot moderates this thought-provoking discussion about women’s empowerment and the ongoing struggle for reproductive justice.

THEY THAT SIT IN DARKNESS, by Mary Burrill

AUDIO PERFORMANCE

Podcast #118

October 6, 2020

Directed by Charlique C. Rolle, Sound Design by Willow James. Featuring performances by RJW Mays, Keisha Champagne, Angela Oliver, Emerson Elias, James Lewis and Anita Kavuu Ng’ang’a.

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