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Hands Up! Forgiveness Incorporates Stories, African Drumming & Dance
Tellin' Tales Theatre's Annual Hands Up show is March 7 on North Lincoln and on March 21 and 22 at Northeastern Illinois University
In Hands Up! Forgiveness, seasoned performers bring profound and deeply moving stories to life. Storytellers with and without disabilities share real-life experiences that reveal the transformative power of compassion, wisdom, and kindness in the face of pain and betrayal. These stories illuminate the difficult choices people make to let go of hurt, reminding us that forgiveness is a choice not an obligation. It is sometimes less about absolving others and more about healing for oneself.
The show is March 7 at 7pm at Mrs. Murphy's and Sons Irish Bistro, 3905 N. Lincoln and at 7pm on March 21 and 22 at Northeastern Illinois University Stage Center, 5500 N. St. Louis, Building F. Tickets prices vary from $12 to $25 and are available at https://www.tellintales.org. The March 7 show has a suggested donation. There will be live ASL interpretation on March 21 as well as audience talk-back after that show.
Hands Up! Forgiveness will incorporate the uplifting and transformative djembe drumming performed by Victoria Boateng. In addition, the theme will be explored through the movement, music, and expressions evoked by the dances of ReinventAbility (at NEIU performances only). This show invites us to see forgiveness not as an act of weakness, but as a courageous, self-nurturing choice that teaches us about the depths of empathy and strength we carry within.
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About Hands Up!
The Hands Up! show is an annual production of Tellin' Tales Theatre with a different theme explored each year. Hands Up! is dedicated to providing adults from a diversity of backgrounds, with and without disabilities, a forum to explore controversial issues through writing, development, and performance of their personal stories.
The performers:
Rose Chord of Evanston, Victoria Boateng of Uptown, Karen Ford of Auburn-Gresham, Ladonna Freidheim of the South Loop, Josh Friedberg of Albany Park, Mary Hobein of Woodridge and Joy Young of Logan Square. The dance "Do You Love Me" is performed by Hana Javed and Ladonna Freidheim of ReinventAbility. (read about each performer in the caption below their photo)
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The production team:
Co-Facilitators Robert Teverbaugh and Stephen Donart, Lighting Designer Elliot Hubian, Stage Manager Diane Durfee, House Manager Evryn Sevcech, Videographer Danny Smitherman.
Stephen Donart and Robert Teverbaugh said: "We initially expected stories of forgiveness to follow a common thread - forgiveness allowing us to move forward - but we were pleasantly surprised by the depth, nuance, and unique perspectives that emerged. This journey has completely transformed our understanding of what forgiveness truly means."
The sponsors:
The Disability Studies Program at Northeastern Illinois University and
the Bryant-Richards Family.
Online performances:
Anytime online performances of Hands Up! Forgiveness will be available via Vimeo from April 24 to May 12. Check the Tellin' Tales Theatre website to access this.
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