Siddons Artistic Council Presents:
THE ART OF SELF-PRODUCING
Moderated by Sar Cohen
Panelists: Kayla Boye, Almanya Narula, Alyssa Thordarson and Vicki Quade
Join us for a conversation about the art of self-producing in changing cultural, economic, and artistic times. We will explore self-producing both in theatrical and cinematic contexts through the lenses of artist, promoter, and cultural worker. We will also discuss how connecting with and building community are essential to the vitality and sustainability of the work.
MONDAY, OCTOBER 16, 7:00 PM
COLUMBIA COLLEGE STUDENT CENTER | 2ND FLOOR BOARD ROOM
754 S WABASH AVE, CHICAGO, IL 60605
Come engage in the conversation about the rich, fulfilling, and complex work of self-producing!
While there is no charge for this event, but advance registration is required.
MODERATOR:
Sar Cohen
Sar Cohen is an actor, dancer and creative raised in Mexico City, Mexico and based in Chicago. She is represented by Grossman & Jack Talent and graduated from Columbia College Chicago where she majored in Theatre. She has worked in theatre, film and voiceover as an actor and has assisted independent film productions as a makeup artist, stylist and producer. Sar is passionate about creating art and collaborating with other artists to develop original and fulfilling stories. She is thrilled to be facilitating this panel on self-producing and hopes to learn a thing or two herself!
PANELISTS:
Kayla Boye
Kayla Boye is a Chicago-based performing artist and independent producer. A member of the Siddons Artistic Council, Kayla recently self-produced Samuel Beckett’s “HAPPY DAYS” at City Lit Theater. She is the creator of “CALL ME ELIZABETH,” a one-woman show about the early life of Elizabeth Taylor. The play enjoyed a live premiere at The Zephyr Theatre in Los Angeles during the 2022 Hollywood Fringe Festival after premiering as a film during the pandemic via Broadway On Demand, Porchlight Music Theatre, The Youngstown Playhouse, and Edinburgh Festival Fringe. The show has since toured the United States, enjoying a sold-out Off-Broadway engagement at 59E59 Theaters as well as a critically acclaimed, sold-out run at the 2023 Edinburgh Festival Fringe. Presentations of the piece have been awarded grants by the Arts Midwest Touring Fund and Illinois Arts Council. Learn more: www.callmeelizabeth.com
Alyssa Thordarson
Alyssa Thordarson has worked as an actor in commercials, theater, and indie film for over a decade. In 2021 she produced, wrote, and acted in her first short film, “AFTER (A LOVE STORY),” which played two dozen festivals, including the Academy Award-qualifying LA Shorts and Cleveland International. “AFTER” won her a Grand Jury Award for Best Short Screenplay and a Filmmaker's Award for Outstanding Performance by an Individual at the Sherman Oaks Film Festival, as well as garnering a Best Drama Short award for the team at North Hollywood Cinefest, among nearly 20 nominations during the festival run. “PAPER PLANES,” which she produced, wrote, acted in, and co-directed alongside legendary Chicago indie filmmaker Michael Glover Smith, made an immediate splash on the 2023 festival circuit, accruing 18 selections and counting. The film was nominated for Best Comedy Short at New York Cinefest, and in a testament to its range, won the Tallahassee Film Festival Audience Award for Best Dramatic Short Film. It continues to connect audiences of all kinds with its touching queer story, which RogerEbert.com calls "sublimely nuanced." Up next, Alyssa will produce Michael Glover Smith's next feature, “HEKLA,” about 24 hours in a Chicago actress's life. She is in development for her own feature debut as a writer-director-producer, slated for production in 2024. https://alyssathordarson.com/
Vicki Quade
Vicki Quade is the founder and president of Nuns4Fun Entertainment, Inc. She is one of the creators of the international hit comedy, “LATE NITE CATECHISM,” and has performed regularly on a national tour. Her line of bingo comedies has received rave reviews, including “BIBLE BINGO: AN ACT OF CHARITY IN TWO ACTS,” along with “CHRISTMAS BINGO: IT’S A HO-HO-HOLY NIGHT.” She added a Halloween show called “HOLY GHOST BINGO,” and a new Lenten comedy called “EASTER BUNNY BINGO.” Her latest creation is an interactive game show called, “ARE YOU SMARTER THAN YOUR 8TH GRADE NUN?,” which has been performed in several cities. She is also the author of a collection of stories called, “CLOSE ENCOUNTERS OF A CHICAGO KIND” (Eckhartz Press). Born in Chicago, she was taught by Adrian Dominican and Sinsinawa Dominican nuns, and has been “adopted” by several religious orders! Vicki has used her religious comedies to promote the retirement plight of nuns in America, and has used her shows to raise more than $4 million in donations for various orders of religious sisters. In 2014, Vicki was given the Making A+ Difference Award from the Northern Star, NIU student newspaper, alumni. The award recognizes those who have made a difference through charitable work, inventions or social programs. In 2015, she was inducted into the Moraine Valley Community College Hall of Fame. Check out her website: www.nuns4fun.com
ALMANYA NARULA is an Indian-Thai, actor, writer, and fight choreographer. She started her career in the entertainment industry at a young age where she was a child actor in various Bollywood films. She strives to advocate for women in the fight and entertainment industry and co-founded a comedy burlesque sword fighting troupe – “SIZZLING SWASHBUCKLING SISTERS” – with the hopes of empowering women to reclaim their sexuality.’ Inspired by the life of Noor Inayat Khan, an Indian princess turned British WWII spy, Almanya developed a solo show based on the aftermath of Noor's attempted escape from Avenue Foch (WWII Gestapo HQ) leading up to her tragic assassination. “NOOR INAYAT KHAN: THE FORGOTTEN SPY,” premiered at the Hollywood Fringe Festival in June 2022. Almanya is currently developing several screenplays including a boxing feature, “BINDU.” A cross between “Rocky” and “Bend it Like Beckham,” the story focuses on, Bindu, a second generation female Sikh-Indian immigrant, who goes against her father's wishes to pursue her aspirations of being professional boxer.