Jody Grizzel-West leads an incredibly full life. Between being a published author, public speaker, Mary Kay Sales Director, owning a property renovation company and a non-profit organization, she keeps it moving. She is a mother of two incredible teenagers, as well as the late Amazing Gracie. She also has an entrepreneur husband that trav
Jody Grizzel-West leads an incredibly full life. Between being a published author, public speaker, Mary Kay Sales Director, owning a property renovation company and a non-profit organization, she keeps it moving. She is a mother of two incredible teenagers, as well as the late Amazing Gracie. She also has an entrepreneur husband that travels.
Jody knows what working families go through with a special needs child. She had the freedom and flexibility to never leave Gracie’s side. She realized not all families have the same ability. With Gracie’s passing, Jody took the energy and love spent on Gracie to support and serve other families through her non-profit, Amazing Gracie's Legacy. Jody wanted to continue Gracie’s impact to encourage and support others to live life with grace, the tagline of the organization.
Her book, Miracles of Grace, details her experience of choosing to see her daughter’s short life through the lens of a miracle.
Shaquan Grove can be best described as an extreme extrovert and ultimate conversationalist
who can make a long story worth listening to. Since losing the instruction booklet to marriage
and motherhood, she has somehow mastered the art of “winging it” and is still deeply adored by
her husband, Reggie, two sons, Mason and Anderson, and Goldend
Shaquan Grove can be best described as an extreme extrovert and ultimate conversationalist
who can make a long story worth listening to. Since losing the instruction booklet to marriage
and motherhood, she has somehow mastered the art of “winging it” and is still deeply adored by
her husband, Reggie, two sons, Mason and Anderson, and Goldendoodle, Tucker.
Established in 2013, she is owner of PRT Coaching Services--a life, relationship, and leadership
expert firm with a primary focus on self-awareness strategies and mindset tools. Services
include certified coaching, leadership awareness programs, and professional speaking for
individuals, groups, and organizations. Shaquan is a Certified Life & Relationship Coach,
member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, and spirit-lead philanthropist at heart.
Best known as Coach Shaquan, she studies how people communicate, connect, and show up in
personal and professional relationships. Partnering with her witty wisdom, relatable approach,
and pure brilliance, she created a transformational coaching process called Check Your BS®
designed to target your unhealthy thought-action patterns.
Shaquan can be described as a memorable experience who loves to laugh, cook, and spend
quality time with family and friends. She believes Grease 2 is better than the original and when
in doubt, she can easily be bribed with gourmet popcorn, bourbon or red wine!
Darcy Smith is a unique individual. Different. She lives her life colorfully and fully. Her focus is on experiencing joy without embarrassment. She embraces the colors and commentaries resulting from her lifestyle. Her family, friends, love, and her pooches are her lifeblood. Darcy’s paintings bring her quiet contemplation when needed
Darcy Smith is a unique individual. Different. She lives her life colorfully and fully. Her focus is on experiencing joy without embarrassment. She embraces the colors and commentaries resulting from her lifestyle. Her family, friends, love, and her pooches are her lifeblood. Darcy’s paintings bring her quiet contemplation when needed, and, well, help pay the bills.
You may find her art on facebook “Studio Impressions”.
Samiya Issa has lived in St. Louis since November 2021, after living in an Iraqi refugee camp for 8 years. She and her husband Muhsen are from Syria, but had to flee their beloved home during the Syrian Civil War. She works non-stop being the most loving mother of 4 - three daughters, and her son Milad, who was born at BJC on August 7,
Samiya Issa has lived in St. Louis since November 2021, after living in an Iraqi refugee camp for 8 years. She and her husband Muhsen are from Syria, but had to flee their beloved home during the Syrian Civil War. She works non-stop being the most loving mother of 4 - three daughters, and her son Milad, who was born at BJC on August 7, 2022. In her free time (that is a joke), she is learning English, very close to getting her driver's license, and is such a wonderful baker - that she gives Miss Hullings a run for her money when it comes to her 7 layer chocolate cake. (Just ask her ESL tutor (Co-Producer Laura Ray) about the 4 lbs. she's gained since they first met.)
Hannah Mayer is a freelance writer - comedic, ghost, PR and otherwise. She has won several national writing awards and her work has been featured in: The Huffington Post, Forbes, Country Living, Pop Sugar, Scary Mommy and several ransom notes. She has three daughters aged 11, 12 and 13 and discovered that mainlining Lexapro delivers the
Hannah Mayer is a freelance writer - comedic, ghost, PR and otherwise. She has won several national writing awards and her work has been featured in: The Huffington Post, Forbes, Country Living, Pop Sugar, Scary Mommy and several ransom notes. She has three daughters aged 11, 12 and 13 and discovered that mainlining Lexapro delivers the fastest and most effective relief.
She is honored to be a part of this event for the third time and like most hobbit-like writers, super comfortable speaking in front of large crowds - especially when it's recorded and broadcast on TV. Loves the way her voice sounds, her excessive use of random filler words and most of all the thrill of teetering on the verge of a massive heart attack for a potentially life-altering amount of time.
Aaron Murray is a passionate husband, father, and occupational therapist. He is adored by his 2 young sons Ian and Eli. His dedicated wife Tamieca, of 13 years, has to tolerate a lot of boy shenanigans, but does so with grace. He currently is a Lead Adaptive Exercise Specialist at the Stephen A. Orthwein Center of Paraquad. Working with
Aaron Murray is a passionate husband, father, and occupational therapist. He is adored by his 2 young sons Ian and Eli. His dedicated wife Tamieca, of 13 years, has to tolerate a lot of boy shenanigans, but does so with grace. He currently is a Lead Adaptive Exercise Specialist at the Stephen A. Orthwein Center of Paraquad. Working with individuals with disabilities, he helps them perform a variety of exercises and pushes them to improve overall function for a better quality of life. Having survived multiple gunshot wounds in 2012 and living as a paraplegic allows him to connect with his clients on a much deeper level than more therapists. He is an accomplished adaptive CrossFit athlete, having competed in the finals at Wodapalooza, an international CrossFit competition. Aaron is always willing to try something new just to gain life experience and add that extra "Je ne sais quoi" that life has to offer.
I am the mother of two children: Bridget Mary, who was
diagnosed with Asperger’s Syndrome and died in her sleep at
the age of 17 from an enlarged heart; and Matthew, a
professional jazz drummer living in Cincinnati.
I am also an artist and retired art teacher. I have worked in
many media in both painting and drawing and have been
fascinated in
I am the mother of two children: Bridget Mary, who was
diagnosed with Asperger’s Syndrome and died in her sleep at
the age of 17 from an enlarged heart; and Matthew, a
professional jazz drummer living in Cincinnati.
I am also an artist and retired art teacher. I have worked in
many media in both painting and drawing and have been
fascinated in recent years with painting on silk with dye.
The subject that continually captivates me is Nature. My
artwork has been exhibited nationally and I have been
awarded best of show awards in watercolor, silk painting
and drawing.
In my art studio “Artistannie”, I sell art, cards and hand
painted silk scarves. (artistannie.com)
I am musician and singer/ songwriter who has also worked
for Young Audiences and the Sheldon Concert Hall
performing educational shows for school children, both at
the Sheldon and throughout schools in the St. Louis
community. I have been writing original songs for some of
these shows.
I have recently written, designed and published a book about
my late daughter with Asperger’s “Bridget the Most
Beautiful Star in the Sky”. Bridget was a fabulous artist and
writer and I am most proud of this book showcasing her
talent.
Website: artistannie.com
Instagram: artistanniestl
Facebook: Annie Scheumbauer
Rosalynde Turner Mathews - Scott taught Creative Writing for 15 years of her thirty-four-year career with the St. Louis Public Schools. She worked as a Writing Teacher Consultant for the Gateway Writing Project at University of Missouri-St. Louis and served as a Co-director of the Urban Sites’ Action/Research Project for the National Wri
Rosalynde Turner Mathews - Scott taught Creative Writing for 15 years of her thirty-four-year career with the St. Louis Public Schools. She worked as a Writing Teacher Consultant for the Gateway Writing Project at University of Missouri-St. Louis and served as a Co-director of the Urban Sites’ Action/Research Project for the National Writing Project. Additionally, she writes and recites poetry and pens plays. Her play, “1875 – A St. Louis Horse-Drawn Streetcar Boycott -Based on a true story of Captain Tandy” has been performed at the Missouri Historical Museum, the Heritage House and presented by The Shared Vision Group, LLP. Currently, she is an active member of Cote Brilliante Presbyterian Church. She says her most precious gifts from God are her children, Harriette and William, grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Terry Baker is the mother of 5 adult children, "Mimi" to 6 precious grands, and wife to Jim, her husband of 52 years. (Yes, she was almost a child bride!) A retired Early Childhood Special Ed Speech Language Pathologist, she's an avid reader and story teller. Terry fell in love with Mama Said, Mama Said in 2014 and is delighted to be a
Terry Baker is the mother of 5 adult children, "Mimi" to 6 precious grands, and wife to Jim, her husband of 52 years. (Yes, she was almost a child bride!) A retired Early Childhood Special Ed Speech Language Pathologist, she's an avid reader and story teller. Terry fell in love with Mama Said, Mama Said in 2014 and is delighted to be a co-producer/director for the show that both she and her husband have been cast members.
Laura is the very proud Mom of two daughters - one a Special Education teacher at Hazelwood Central Sr High, and the other working and living in Nicaragua (why, oh why couldn't she have fallen in love with someone in Ballwin?), and one great stepson in Charleston. She's the co-owner of Vintage Vinyl in the Delmar Loop, the Executive Pr
Laura is the very proud Mom of two daughters - one a Special Education teacher at Hazelwood Central Sr High, and the other working and living in Nicaragua (why, oh why couldn't she have fallen in love with someone in Ballwin?), and one great stepson in Charleston. She's the co-owner of Vintage Vinyl in the Delmar Loop, the Executive Producer (with her husband Tom) of 'Papa Ray's Vintage Vinyl Roadshow', author of the 'Brain Dead in the Burbs & Cooking Your Way Back to Sanity" series. She also wrote her first screenplay, "Walking on Lily Pads - Unfortunately a True Story", & Vintage Vinyl - The Magazine. For 10 years, she has been very proud to be a Co-Producer/Director of this wonderful show. Her dear friends, Terry Baker and Sioux Roslawski became her partners in 2020. For four years, she was Co-Producer/Director of "The Story Bee Show - STL" with Wyntra Storms. Laura also co-stars in the YouTube cooking show with her two BFF's, Regi Drake & Fritzie Reeves, called "Brain Dead & Cooking with Friends"...and yes, she knows this photo makes her look like she has gas.
Sioux Roslawski is a middle school teacher who retired and immediately begged to be put back into the classroom. Now, she's found such a heavenly job, she figures at some point she'll be so falling apart, she'll need to be wheeled in, strapped onto a dolly Hannibal Lecter-style, because she'll still want to teach. Sioux is a mother of tw
Sioux Roslawski is a middle school teacher who retired and immediately begged to be put back into the classroom. Now, she's found such a heavenly job, she figures at some point she'll be so falling apart, she'll need to be wheeled in, strapped onto a dolly Hannibal Lecter-style, because she'll still want to teach. Sioux is a mother of two and grammy to three. In her spare time she rescues golden retrievers and freelance writes. Her proudest writing accomplishment? The publication of her historical novel about the Tulsa Race Massacre, Greenwood Gone: Henry's Story. Sioux has been on the Mama Said, Mama Said stage twice, and she's now thrilled to be one of Laura's lackeys. .
AARON MURRAY - JODI GRIZZEL-WEST - ANNIE SCHEUMBAUER - ROSALYNDE SCOTT - HANNAH MAYER - SAMIYA ISSA - SHAQUAN GROVE - DARCY HARDWICK-SMITH
John Dorroh was born to US Army parents who were stationed in La Rochelle, France. The Dorroh family moved around a lot, so his early life was full of travel and learning about other cultures at an early age. When his father left the military, they moved to Mississippi to take care of his mother. That's where John began teaching high scho
John Dorroh was born to US Army parents who were stationed in La Rochelle, France. The Dorroh family moved around a lot, so his early life was full of travel and learning about other cultures at an early age. When his father left the military, they moved to Mississippi to take care of his mother. That's where John began teaching high school science. He also taught in the Atlanta area and for the DOD schools. His teaching career lasted 30 years and then he worked as an education consultant in several states in the Southeast and Midwest. He also worked as a text-item writer for ACT and Harcourt Brace.
John's mother, Sue, told people that he was born with a pen in his right hand because he was always writing. His first poem was written with her red lipstick on the bathroom wall. Since then he's crafted his writing and has had over 400 poems and articles published in journals such as Feral, North Dakota Quarterly, Red Fez, Selcouth Station, and Pinyon. He's had four stories published in Chicken Soup for the Soul, and several others. He's also had a book of flash-fiction, "99 Words," published a few years ago and recently a poetry chapbook called "Swim at Your Own Risk."
He spends his time in the St. Louis Metro East making photo note-cards, cooking, biking, swimming, entertaining, and traveling when it's safe to do so. He lives in Highland with his partner, Dale, and one cat, Pitterz, and an ancient dog, Max, who thinks he's still a puppy.
Donna Weinsting can be described as many things, actor, stand up comedian and real estate agent. But her favorite titles are wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother.
Donna has traveled the country performing and has won awards for her acting. Real estate has provided the means to a comfortable home but family is the heartbeat th
Donna Weinsting can be described as many things, actor, stand up comedian and real estate agent. But her favorite titles are wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother.
Donna has traveled the country performing and has won awards for her acting. Real estate has provided the means to a comfortable home but family is the heartbeat that has guided her life.
Being a part of this show is a special honor and Donna is very proud to be a part of it.
My name is Astra Cherry. I’m a proud graduate of the Historically Black Harris-Stowe State University (HSSU). I am a retired educator from the St. Louis Public School System (SLPSS) and the University of Missouri-St. Louis’ (UMSL) Gateway Writing Project (GWP). I must confess that each institutions encouraged me to go way beyond my expec
My name is Astra Cherry. I’m a proud graduate of the Historically Black Harris-Stowe State University (HSSU). I am a retired educator from the St. Louis Public School System (SLPSS) and the University of Missouri-St. Louis’ (UMSL) Gateway Writing Project (GWP). I must confess that each institutions encouraged me to go way beyond my expectations and goals as a “teacher”. My proudest accomplishments were experiences, awards, and recognitions that came from being involved with these establishments. Recognitions like The Outstanding HSSU award, STARR program representing SLPSS, and GWP Co Director/Consultant at UMSL. Although I enjoyed teaching grades in the classroom, I enjoyed teaching writing to young students and sharing writing ideas with teachers best. Co teaching teachers in the GWP Summer Institute allowed teachers and me to try writing ideas and to publish our stories in writing and orally. A few of the stories written by me were published in a booklet called
Missouri Teachers Write. That’s the extent of my publications. And now the Listen to Your Mother show.
I have been widowed for five years. Richard Cherry and I were married 50 years and 3 months. Luckily, we were blessed, 51 years ago, with a daughter, Angela Richelle Cherry. She’s been married to Kanzi Tyehimba for 21 years. They’ve given me three wonderful grands and one great grand. Tylar is 28, Anaya is 18 and KJ is 14. My adorable great grandson is 9 months. My family is my special interest. But outside of them I love to paint with friends in the park; write with my writing buddies; and read with my Shalom Book Club members. I love to shop. Not in the grocery store but at clothing stores and stores like Home Goods or At Home. What I’m looking forward to most about being in the show is being with writers once again, hearing the different voices in their writing, and just enjoying like-minded people with different perspectives.
Jen is surrounded by boys; she has two sweet sons, Jack (3) and Will (20 months) and has been married to her husband Tim for almost 5 years. (Even her dog is a boy!) In between diaper changes and nap times, she dreams of taking long, uninterrupted showers or just sitting in a quiet room, alone. In the interim, she loves to dream up house
Jen is surrounded by boys; she has two sweet sons, Jack (3) and Will (20 months) and has been married to her husband Tim for almost 5 years. (Even her dog is a boy!) In between diaper changes and nap times, she dreams of taking long, uninterrupted showers or just sitting in a quiet room, alone. In the interim, she loves to dream up house projects she can’t find the time to do and listens to audiobooks to try to drown out tears and save her sanity. Jen is a former middle school teacher but is currently staying home with her children. She can’t sit still though, so she’s started blogging, is creating her own freelance company, and is renting baby equipment for families traveling to St. Louis with a company called BabyQuip. Jen is most proud of submitting her story and putting herself out there. She believes in manifesting what you want and even had an image of Listen to Your Mother on her vision board this year.
Jordan Braxton has been an Activists in the St. Louis LGBTQIA community for over 35-years, raising awareness about HIV/AIDS and Intersex and Transgender Rights. Jordan is on the Board of Pride St. Louis, Inc. as The Director of Diversity, Inclusion, and Outreach and the Vice President of St. Louis Black Pride and Vice President of TransPa
Jordan Braxton has been an Activists in the St. Louis LGBTQIA community for over 35-years, raising awareness about HIV/AIDS and Intersex and Transgender Rights. Jordan is on the Board of Pride St. Louis, Inc. as The Director of Diversity, Inclusion, and Outreach and the Vice President of St. Louis Black Pride and Vice President of TransParent. Jordan currently works at Vivent Health as a Prevention Supervisor doing education and outreach for the prevention of the spread of HIV/STI.
Melissa Fuoss is a breast cancer survivor, an alternative education teacher, a mother of two fantastic boys, and a wife to a man who knew he would marry her the day he met her. She loves the challenge of getting her students to get lost in books and share their personal stories. Before she became a teacher she was a reporter/photograph
Melissa Fuoss is a breast cancer survivor, an alternative education teacher, a mother of two fantastic boys, and a wife to a man who knew he would marry her the day he met her. She loves the challenge of getting her students to get lost in books and share their personal stories. Before she became a teacher she was a reporter/photographer for a small daily paper in Kirksville, Missouri where she literally cut, waxed, and pasted her stories on a board before they went to press. She has written a book about her cancer journey, but unfortunately it has remained unfinished in her google doc drive. She was a member of the inaugural cast in St. Louis nine years ago and is so excited to be a part of this incredible event again. You can see her latest blog here: https://covid19mademedoit.wordpress.com
Lisa is an educator, creator, and performer who lives in Eureka with her kidlet, Fia (they/them) who just turned 11, and her amazing spouse Matthew who continues to broadcast that he is exactly 11 months and 18 days younger than she. They live a geeky life filled with video games, art projects, arguments about the best Star Trek captain,
Lisa is an educator, creator, and performer who lives in Eureka with her kidlet, Fia (they/them) who just turned 11, and her amazing spouse Matthew who continues to broadcast that he is exactly 11 months and 18 days younger than she. They live a geeky life filled with video games, art projects, arguments about the best Star Trek captain, and the constant mission to get Kiddo to like Star Wars.
Professionally, Lisa spends her time teaching students public speaking, communication, and media literacy at Jefferson College. In 2021, she was awarded the Phi Theta Kappa Teacher of the Year award, and she counts it as her greatest professional achievement as it is given by students to the teacher they feel makes a difference in students’ lives. Outside of school Lisa is a documentary filmmaker and speaker whose work is centered on building a kinder community and facilitating hard conversations. Her hope is to leave the world just like you leave a picnic table-A little better than you found it.
Josh Loevy is an attorney living in Naperville Illinois with his Wife Morgan and son Theo. His work focuses on litigating Federal Freedom of Information Act cases on behalf of journalists and researchers. He helps his clients obtain Government records that further government transparency and accountability.
Josh is also a stand-up comedia
Josh Loevy is an attorney living in Naperville Illinois with his Wife Morgan and son Theo. His work focuses on litigating Federal Freedom of Information Act cases on behalf of journalists and researchers. He helps his clients obtain Government records that further government transparency and accountability.
Josh is also a stand-up comedian and improviser. He graduated from the IO Theater training center, and was a cast member of two of IO's house teams. Josh grew up in St. Louis and is thrilled to be back to celebrate his incredible Mom.
While growing up in St. Louis County, Mary Ann Perkins dreamed of travel and envied those who did. The pursuit of that dream led her on a two-decade journey across Europe, the Middle East and Asia. She had two daughters along the way, completed two master’s degrees and built her career as a United Nations editor one client at a time.
She loves comedy, poetry and distance running.
Mom. Wife. Shia. Educator. Writer. Organizer. Overthinker. Data analyst. Researcher.
I enjoy connecting with others and learning from their journeys.
My passion is to support educators and empower women.
Zeinab is 13. She enjoys coding, karate, and photography. (Or at least she does those things to keep me happy.) Hossein is 5. He enjoys
Mom. Wife. Shia. Educator. Writer. Organizer. Overthinker. Data analyst. Researcher.
I enjoy connecting with others and learning from their journeys.
My passion is to support educators and empower women.
Zeinab is 13. She enjoys coding, karate, and photography. (Or at least she does those things to keep me happy.) Hossein is 5. He enjoys winning others over and doing whatever it takes to reach his goals. I daydream that our goals will align one day.
If you want to show me something new at Pan-Asia, join a Zumba class with me, or go on a trail at Castlewood Park, email me at FatemehMardi@gmail.com.
If you want to chat about culturally responsive teaching or inclusive design, are interested in sharing educational technology tricks, or want to collaborate on a research project related to learning analytics, email me at Mardi@umsl.edu.
My name is Ta’Lisha Franklin. I am the Center Director of Cornerstone Center for Early Learning. I was born and raised in St. Louis, Missouri. I was educated in the St. Louis Public School district most of my childhood. As a young child, I expressed interest in dancing, styling hair and teaching. My childhood interest helped to motivate s
My name is Ta’Lisha Franklin. I am the Center Director of Cornerstone Center for Early Learning. I was born and raised in St. Louis, Missouri. I was educated in the St. Louis Public School district most of my childhood. As a young child, I expressed interest in dancing, styling hair and teaching. My childhood interest helped to motivate some of my accomplishments throughout my life. In 1995, my mother enrolled me into St. Louis Desegregation program; therefore, I was given the opportunity to attend and graduate from Kirkwood High School in 2000. After graduation, I expanded my interest in styling hair to the public. I became a mother of two beautiful children: Ta’Anyea Snider (20) and Terell Snider(19). I earned three degrees while my children were young. I loved to travel around the country with my children. My children participated in many activities and earned some of the highest awards. Throughout my children’s childhood, I loved to support their different interests and had fun while doing so. Today, I am Cornerstone’s Center Director. I am responsible for the daily operations in our facility. I make sure that our teachers have the support that they need to provide enriching care and education to all children. I effectively communicate with all of the families that we serve. Being in the show gives me the opportunity to share my journey through motherhood with a variety of mothers that are or know someone in a similar situation as mine. I want to help give them the motivation to never give up and continue to advance throughout their entire life.
Michelle is the executive producer and co-host of Cliterally Speaking the Podcast. She lives in St. Louis but is from everywhere and nowhere. She has lived in 9 different states and traveled to 11 different countries. A divorced mother of three, colon cancer survivor, serial dieter, author of Midnight Playground: Where the Soul Plays, an
Michelle is the executive producer and co-host of Cliterally Speaking the Podcast. She lives in St. Louis but is from everywhere and nowhere. She has lived in 9 different states and traveled to 11 different countries. A divorced mother of three, colon cancer survivor, serial dieter, author of Midnight Playground: Where the Soul Plays, and lover of all things Improv. Michelle’s secret joy is making guests and listeners laugh. Her unique observations and insightful, illuminating questions guide guests and listeners towards personal and societal revelations. Many are heard saying, “I never thought about it that way.” When she isn’t working on expanding her podcast’s “Wine and Panty” pairing list, she can be found playing games with her improv teams, or working on her next book, or taking long walks. Although Michelle’s heart has been broken more times than she can count, she’s still a believer in love and can say “I love you” in five languages, because, you never know...
Armetta is an Okie from Muskogee with a Bachelor's degree in Education and a Master's in Reading. For 19 years, she taught middle school language arts and reading in the Kirkwood School District. Her retirement has given her time for daily walks, tennis, gardening, traveling, reading (same book club 40 years), and volunteering. Her a
Armetta is an Okie from Muskogee with a Bachelor's degree in Education and a Master's in Reading. For 19 years, she taught middle school language arts and reading in the Kirkwood School District. Her retirement has given her time for daily walks, tennis, gardening, traveling, reading (same book club 40 years), and volunteering. Her adult son lives in Massachusetts, and she has been married to the same wonderful guy for 29 years. Armetta is looking forward to soaking up the energy from the exciting, high-energy cast!
We were delighted to have Joan Lipkin as our emcee for both the 2021 and 2022 shows! Joan's community, story sharing, volunteerism and giving back is at the heart of her decades long award-winning career. Internationally recognized as a groundbreaking theatre artist, educator and social activist, Joan Lipkin works at the intersection of
We were delighted to have Joan Lipkin as our emcee for both the 2021 and 2022 shows! Joan's community, story sharing, volunteerism and giving back is at the heart of her decades long award-winning career. Internationally recognized as a groundbreaking theatre artist, educator and social activist, Joan Lipkin works at the intersection of performance and civic engagement, creating events and dialogues about the most pressing issues of our time including climate change, voting advocacy, disability, racial justice, gender equality, LGBTQ+ experience, gun sense, reproductive choice, and immigration reform. Prior to the pandemic, she was dividing her time between St Louis, NYC and other parts of the US as well as Eastern Europe. She has created work with many diverse populations, including the LGBTQ+ community and their families, seniors, adults with Alzheimer’s and early stage dementia, college students, women with cancer, people with disabilities, survivors of suicide, women who have been sexually trafficked, people in recovery and communities of faith, among others. As an expert on rapid response theatre, and has contributed to or produced several national projects including Every 28 Hours, After Orlando and Climate Change Theatre Action. Most recently, she created a prototype for college campuses to study climate change and sustainability and create theatrical responses and has worked as a dramaturg about environmental racism with Ashleyliane Dance Company. Joan founded Dance the Vote, a nonpartisan organization, in 2016 in the belief that voting is our most precious right and the cornerstone of democracy and that the arts are a pivotal way to engage the community. DTV creates graphics, videos and community events and commissions dance pieces to share accurate information and promote voter registration. Joan is the Producing Artistic Director of That Uppity Theatre Company in St. Louis, Missouri where she founded the nationally acclaimed Alternate Currents/Direct Currents Series, The DisAbility Project, The Louies and Apple Pie. The company has received numerous honors including the John Van Voris Award for Community Service, What’s Right with the Region Award for Improving Racial Equality and Social Justice from Focus St. Louis, the Community Enhancement Award from the Governor’s Council on Disabilities, and the Midwest Gala Human Rights Campaign Organization Equality Award. Joan has received numerous awards including a Visionary, Ethical Humanist of the Year, Leadership for Community-based Theatre and Civic Engagement, a Woman of Achievement, What’s Right with the Region, and IDEA, among others. Thank you, Joan, for everything you do for our great city and our world!
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