Today we’d like to introduce you to Andrea Sodergren, Katie Mason and Elaina McMillan.
Hi Andrea, Katie and Elaina, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
Katie Mason, Elaina McMillan, and Andrea Sodergren are going to tell the story about how we came together to start performing, Life: A Delightful Show About Fear and Grief.
We met through stand up comedy and connected deeper in a writing group. The first iteration of this show came about rather unexpectedly as if it was bigger than everyone involved. None of us really understood how resonant the material would be until the first show’s standing ovation.
It was then we discovered something special was afoot and people needed more avenues to process their fear and grief. This show offers an opportunity for connection through these difficult but universal emotions. It’s been two years since our first show and we are still going strong.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Overcoming relational challenges and staying with the emotions are our biggest challenges. In order for this show to work, we must really be in sync with one another – this requires a deep commitment to overcoming personal and creative differences to support the highest good of the show. We are in a very intimate relationship with one another as we navigate the material, it’s like we got married and had a baby, which is the fear and grief show.
Also, we have to stay committed to processing our own fear and grief for the show to remain authentic – which of course, is not easy. But we have a natural chemistry between the three of us and a desire for growth and evolution, so it makes it all worth it. We are learning to nurture each other and the show is nurturing us.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
Life: A Delightful Show About Fear & Grief portrays the infinite need to honor the challenges and move through the pain served up by life, while maintaining connection, meaning, and love.
Blending comedy, storytelling, and spoken word poetry, the show explores the awful, hilarious, and utterly human experience of fear, grief, and ultimately acceptance. With humor and heart, this show offers a fresh lens on these timeless and difficult emotions.
Fear and grief are not just inevitable — they are sacred rites of passage. A catalyst for transformation and resilience. And they belong to all of us. This performance invites you into that shared space and encourages a path toward healing. Topics include addiction, loss, love, health, dementia, and more. Join us and experience the power of connection, compassion, and community.
Can you tell us more about what you were like growing up?
Andrea grew up in Wheaton, Illinois where everyone was happy and no one talked about fear and grief. She grew up using her comedy to deflect a lot of reflection on the harder emotions. Andrea has had the opportunity through this show to turn inward and examine what’s underneath the shiny surface. This has expanded her range as a performer.
Elaina grew up in Los Angeles, California with broke but attentive hippy parents who told her she could do anything. It was a bit of a bubble, which left Elaina ill prepared for the world. As she’s had to deal with her son’s addiction and Mom’s Alzheimer’s she’s learned to lean into the harder emotions while also maintaining her natural optimism. You hear that reflected in the stories and comedy she shares on stage.
Katie grew up in Omaha Nebraska. Her Mother died from alcoholism and her childhood was fraught with chaos, grief and the natural disruption that comes with addiction. This pushed her to her depths at an early age, questioning the purpose of pain and suffering. She emerged with a poetic sensibility and a somewhat dark, but poignant sense of humor that fuels her performances.
Pricing:
- $28-50
Contact Info:
- Website: https://fearandgrief.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fearandgriefshow
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FearandGriefShow/
