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.
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
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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Major Funders & Sponsors
Arts for Illinois Relief Fund, Arts Work Fund, BMS CAT, Casting Networks, Chi Biz Strong Grant, DCASE, The Gaylord and Dorothy Donnelley Foundation Gen Ops Strategy, Echo Limousine, Fox Pest Control, GWC Injury Lawyers, HKM Employment Attorneys, Illinois Arts Council Agency, Illinois Humanities, National Endowment for the Arts, Paul M. Angell Family Foundation, Planned Parenthood of Illinois, Rebellious Magazine, Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard, Trial Lawyers, The MacArthur Fund for Culture, Equity and The Arts at The Richard H. Driehaus Foundation, The Saints, Siding & Window Group, University of Chicago Performance Lab 2023