Professional organizer Jenn Richardson loves stories, so it was a natural fit for her to become a sponsor for That’s What She Said: Naperville, a one-night event of women sharing stories about their life experiences.
What she didn’t expect was how much she’d love it and want to become involved, eventually becoming a producer for That’s What She Said Chicago Southland and future shows in the western suburbs.
“Leading up to it I was really into the sponsorship side, the raffles, the prizes, and didn’t think about the show too much. When I sat in the audience, I fell in love nine times in a row,” she said. “I went up to (producer Ellen Clearly) and said I loved the show and everything about it and said ‘How do I get involved with this?’”
The following year, Richardson was tapped to be a storyteller in Naperville, sharing a heartwarming story about her dad and his love for her, but during rehearsal, she realized she wanted to stay involved with the project.
She went from storyteller to producer after talking with Cleary and producer Lisa Ellstrom. “I thought, if you can find a place for me, I’ll do anything you want. If you want help with production or social media. Please don’t let this end,” she said. “Luckily, Ellen and Lisa like me a little bit and let me step into this role and let me keep that journey going.”
While Richardson was preparing for the Naperville show, she met Eileen Kirlin Walsh, who has a law firm in Palos Heights. “She was very excited about She Said and said she’d really love to sponsor that. She’s Irish, and storytellers are big in Irish culture.”
But there was a snag: The Naperville show already had a law firm as a presenting sponsor. Richardson put Kirlin Walsh in touch with the national director of That’s What She Said to become a presenting sponsor in a new area of Chicago, and That’s What She Said Chicago Southland was born. The inaugural show takes place at 7 p.m. Oct. 24 at Chicago’s Gaelic Park, 6119 147th St. in Oak Forest.
“If you look at photos of the Naperville show, you can see Eileen in the front row leaning forward, staring in awe at the show. It’s beautiful how much she’s moved by this entire endeavor,” Richardson said. “It’s so rare and special to have a presenting sponsor who is so enthusiastic.”
She described Gaelic Park as “a much more intimate vibe than some of the shows we’ve done.” Because the room for the show has a bar, a signature drink has been created: the mic drop. “We want to be sure we’re spotlighting the cast members and the community. The venue is part of that community.”
She Said will feature stories from nine people in Chicago’s southwest suburbs, and their tales range from a breast cancer journey, the idea of motherhood and finding a voice again to an unfortunate salon mishap and everything in between.
“What we really look to build is a cast that is diverse in as many ways as we can,” Richardson said, from age to ethnicity and socioeconomic levels. “Stories that make you feel profound emotion and stories that will make you laugh and want to tell everyone about all this hilarity that you saw,” she added. “We not only want to take the audience on a journey but we want to make sure that every woman in the audience can see herself represented.”
Ellstrom, one of three producers, said cast members grow and “connect with themselves and others” during the experience. “With story coaching, thoughts and memories become imbued with clarity and insight. Then, there is the added bonus of experiencing the power of sharing that personal story from the stage with a microphone!” she exclaimed. “Speaking it out loud for eight minutes – uninterrupted. That just doesn’t happen in day-to-day life.”
Cleary, who initially joined She Said for business reasons, stayed involved “and brought it to our community because I learned that storytelling connects us in a way that other social experiences rarely do,” she shared. “Storytelling bridges differences and gives women, like me, the courage to share their truth.”
Although she enjoyed being a storyteller, Cleary likes producing even more. “When I shared my own story, it was empowering. But now, seeing someone else step into that same light – and watching the transformation happen in real time – that’s pure magic.”
Speaker Lena Matariyeh, of Orland Hills, decided to join the cast because she believes “in the power of connection and inspiration. Everyone has challenges, victories and lessons learned, and sharing those moments allows us to lift each other up. That’s What She Said is an incredible platform to reach women from all walks of life, and I wanted to offer my perspective on breaking barriers, building community and finding balance in both personal and professional life.”
Doing something different is what motivated Crystal Baldazo, of Palos Hills, who owns a business in Orland Park, to tell her story. “Truthfully, getting up and speaking in front of a room full of people makes me pretty uncomfortable, but I do like to challenge myself for growth purposes, so this seemed like a great way to do that,” she shared.
Orland Park resident Ashley Patrick saw a quote that moved her to be in the show. “It said ‘I wish I could tell you the whole story of why I am the way I am,’ and that’s exactly why I decided to be a part of this production. After hearing some of the stories, I knew I made the right decision and I’m honored to share the stage with these ladies!”
Inspiring others is the goal of Dr. Sharon Seay, of Evergreen Park. “Our stories carry power, and by sharing mine, I hope to remind others that healing and hope is possible,” she said. “I hope listeners are reminded that God can turn pain into purpose. No matter what you’ve gone through, there’s healing, restoration and victory on the other side when you trust him. If my story can give someone hope to keep going, then I’ve done what God called me to do.”
Jen Fisher, of La Grange, attended this year’s show in Naperville and had a friend on stage. “Although I knew a bit about her story, listening to her and the other speakers was moving, empowering, uplifting,” she said. The friend encouraged her to audition for this show. “The more I thought about it, the more I was convinced that everyone has a story – maybe even me.”
Frankfort resident Jaina Jordan, who is “on a journey to unmute myself” joined the cast in hopes “other women, especially moms and wives, remember to care for themselves. Silence is not always golden.”
A previous show motivated Angela DeMarco, of Orland Park, to tell her story. “I was just so touched. I just felt like I had a couple stories that I could share that might be good to share and was hoping that one day there would be an opportunity for me to do it,” she said, adding that the story she’s telling “I have always wanted to share out loud, and I am so grateful to be able to have the ability to do so.”
Also on stage will be Sandra Diaz, of Berwyn, and Samantha Gisey, of Bolingbrook, who works in Palos Heights.
The event’s charity partner is BEDS Plus, which helps homeless people in suburban Cook County. “We look for a charity that is in keeping with the hyperlocal mission that benefits women and their families, but something that is going to make an impact on the community that is supporting the show,” Richardson said. A portion of ticket sales goes to the charity.
She said the project is life changing. “When you embark on She Said, you really do become a part of a sisterhood. The alumni casts, the women who have gone before these sisters, they remain an integral part of the success of future stories.”
Storytellers have brought food to feed the cast for a show, volunteered to film it, sponsored shows and attended other events to support their sisters. “The women drive it, but the sisterhood exists long after you step off stage,” Richardson said.
Tickets for the all-ages show will be sold at the door via a QR code or can be bought in advance online at chicagosouthland.shesaidproject.com. Parking is free. Past shows can be found on YouTube.
Melinda Moore is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.