The experiences of motherhood are unique to each individual, but along the everlasting journey of being a mother, there are often moments and realizations that other mothers can resonate with or learn from. Listen to Your Mother is an annual show that was performed this Sunday at the Hobart Art Theater, exemplifying the challenges and recollections of motherhood from a variety of Northwest Indiana writers. The show also features an online auction, with proceeds from both going to charities that benefit women and children.
Featuring a variety of stories and poetry, these writers took the stage to share their personal accounts of motherhood. The theater was filled with moments of laughter, as well as moments of tears as the writers recalled some of the most significant times during their voyages as mothers.
“Being a mother is the foundation of my art,” said Jessica Brooks, a poet and author who performed her piece “Love Story”. “All of the stories here today piece society together in different ways, where everybody in the audience is going to be able to see themselves, a family member, friend, or somebody that they know in the performances here.”
Brooks’ performance contained a passionate love story written to her 3 children.
“I want children to know that if you can think of something, you can create it. Being a mother has really inspired my life’s path.”
While some performances varied more on the more serious side, there were also humorous pieces sprinkled throughout. Bennett Gallivan performed her piece “Waiting for Grandbubby”, a funny tale chronicling Gallivan being a grandmother without a grandchild. Her son, Bubby, has yet to have children. Gallivan was able to elaborate on performing in Northwest Indiana and having a space to be artistically creative.
“Northwest Indiana is a wonderful place to perform,” she said. We have a lot of creative people and an audience that is receptive to our artistic creativity. We have people that come out from all ages. It’s welcoming and warm here, in ways you may not expect.”
Carrie Bedwell, organizer, and director of the show performed her piece “Younger”, a look into what it’s like to be an “older” mother. Bedwell has seen this annual Northwest Indiana production grow year in and year out.
“The production has definitely grown in number of attendees and variety of pieces,” she said. “It was originally created by Ann Imig of Madison, Wisconsin on Mother’s Day 2010. The show has taken off from there.
Although the group of women who put on this annual performance tends to vary from year to year, the relationships they form together are always supportive and allow their creativity to openly flow.
“We just seem to mash,” said Amy Lavalley, performer of “Juggling”. “It’s a great group of women and a really cool experience. It’s always been a warm, absolutely open relationship where we tell each other things that we wouldn’t necessarily tell other people.”
To take part in the online auction, visit www.32auctions.com/LTYM2023.
To learn more about Listen to Your Mother or to find out how to become involved with this production, email organizer Carrie Bedwell at 219writerscollective@gmail.com.