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EXPERIENCE LIVING OUT LOUD Turning the lighthearted art of improv comedy into a creative healing technique CHESTERTOWN, MD (July 31, 2007) – On Saturday, September 22 from 2 to 4 p.m. at the Prince Theatre, 210 High Street in Chestertown, the public is invited to enjoy the belly laughs of an interactive improv comedy experience with DC Improv’s Shawn Westfall. At the same time, improbable though it may seem, they can learn about Living Out Loud, an improv workshop for survivors of sexual violence, from founder Andrea Howe. Andrea Howe, an organizational development consultant, was raped when she was 18. Through her own experience of overcoming the trauma, she recognized its lingering effects “like an invisible backpack that adds weight to an otherwise lighthearted life.” She endeavored to create a series of workshops that would reduce or even eliminate these effects by offering survivors the upbeat and healing benefits of laughter. Of the first improv comedy workshop held in the fall of 2006, one of the participants said, “Living Out Loud brought hope, light, and love back into my life.” At the Prince Theatre Living Out Loud event, the public is invited to discover for themselves the invaluable life lessons improv offers – creating trust, dealing with the unexpected, being in the moment, and making compassionate connections with others. Howe will begin the afternoon’s event with a brief presentation about Living Out Loud and the healing benefits it provides survivors of sexual violence. Then the laughter begins as Shawn Westfall leads the audience through an experience of interactive improv comedy. Improvisational comedian Westfall’s extensive career includes 10 years of performing with a number of professional improv troupes, including the nationally recognized Oxymorons. Currently, he is the exclusive teacher of improv at the DC Improv comedy club. This Living Out Loud event is sponsored by Carla Massoni, owner of Carla Massoni Gallery in Chestertown, and artist Celia Pearson, a noted Annapolis-based photographer, who will be exhibiting her new body of work, LifeLines, at the gallery from September 14 to 29. Massoni and Pearson will donate a portion of the proceeds from the exhibit sales to Living Out Loud. The artist is Andrea Howe’s sister. Since beginning Living Out Loud last year, Howe and Westfall have been interviewed by Washington Post Radio and received a mention in the April 2007 issue of SELF magazine. The non-profit organization Speaking Out About Rape, Inc.® (SOAR®), founded in the late 90s by rape survivor Kellie Greene, recently took Living Out Loud under its wing. SOAR is a national organization which runs awareness, education, and prevention programs to empower survivors of sexual violence and enhance the public’s understanding and acceptance of rape victims. Greene will attend the Living Out Loud event. Drop by the Carla Massoni Gallery across the street before or after the event to view Pearson’s exhibit, LifeLines. Says Pearson, “I am supporting Living Out Loud because I love my sister and because using my photographs to serve as agents for healing and lightheartedness feels right.” Carla Massoni, owner of the gallery, has long been involved with using the arts as a means of community outreach. “When Celia came to me with the idea of pairing LifeLines with Living Out Loud, I was immediately on board. I applaud Celia’s initiative and am eager to bring Andrea’s program to the Eastern Shore.” Although the event is free and open to the public, reservations are strongly suggested. Please call 410-778-7330 or e-mail info@massoniart.com if you wish to attend.
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