Interview: Karen Thomson of ‘Literature For All of Us’ on Woman’s Club of Evanston Revue

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CHICAGO – The Woman’s Club of Evanston (WCE) generates a charitable vibe when putting together their annual stage show revues. Every year, the show is a benefit for a local organization, and this year the recipient is “Literature for All of Us,” a Chicago institution guided by Founder and Executive Director Karen Thomson. This 66th Revue of the WCE is suitably entitled “Reading Between the Lines,” and Opening Night is Friday, March 3rd, 2017, with additional shows on March 4th, 9th, 10th and 11th (all shows begin at 8pm). For ticket information and revue location, click here.

In 1997, Karen Thomson gathered 15 teenage girls together, and began reading and writing poetry with them. Even though the girls believed they “didn’t like reading” or “weren’t good at writing,” Ms. Thomson chose books with themes that engaged their cultural identities and empathized with their interpersonal challenges. The results were stunning, as the girls connected to the appropriate literature offered to them, and became voracious readers and proud poetry writers. This became the backbone of “Literature for All of Us,” a non-profit organization founded by Ms. Thomson, which now serves up to 800 young and potential readers each year. For her efforts, Karen Thomson received the Chicago Writer’s Association Lifetime Achievement Award for 2016, among many other honors.

LitforUs1
The Woman’s Club of Evanston 66th Revue Benefits ‘Literature for All of Us’
Photo credit: Woman’s Club of Evanston

HollywoodChicago.com talked to Ms. Thomson about the aspirations of her unique outreach program, and the “Reading Between the Lines” stage revue, presented by the Woman’s Club of Evanston.

HollywoodChicago.com: What is a brief description of your organization, ‘Literature For All of Us,’ and how did it become involved as a beneficiary of the Woman’s Club of Evanston stage show revue?

Karen Thomson: Literature for All of Us is a trauma-informed literary arts organization that uses books and poetry writing to create circles of connection, healing and growth. We foster authentic connections, and invite individuals to explore the power of their own voices. We open worlds by opening books.  We run about 30 book groups weekly, using culturally relevant books to create spaces where participants can connect books to their lives, share their stories and write from their hearts. We give out over 2,000 books annually, plus journals and childrens’ books for young parents.

We were fortunate to be chosen by The Woman’s Club of Evanston as the beneficiary of their annual Revue Show. It is a competitive grant process in which many apply for and only one organization is selected each year!

HollywoodChicago.com: The revue is aptly titled ‘Reading Between the Lines.’ What are themes of the revue and how will it tie into what you’re doing with Literature for All of Us?

Thomson: One of the major themes is reading. Literature for All of Us nurtured the love of reading and writing in all of our participants. Literature creates a safe space where are participants can be vulnerable and support each other, engage in critical thinking and develop empathy and a wider perspective on their own lives – our tagline is ‘Opening Worlds by Opening Books.’ There are some pretty funny musical numbers, too. The four most serious ones are directly about reading and Literature for All of Us. 

HollywoodChicago.com: You and some of your membership are actually participating in the revue with the WCE. Do you have a performing background, and what does it feel like to trod upon ‘the boards’ as you rehearse for the show?

Thomson
Executive Director Karen Thomson
Photo credit: Literature for All of Us

Thomson: No! We have no performing background. We have learned a lot about performance and theatre life in this experience. A lot of stage things translate into our daily lives – if you make a mistake smile through it, just go with it, and speak clearly.  

HollywoodChicago.com: You speak on your website about the transformative magic of reading and writing, once you introduce it to youth who are not accustomed to either. What is a tried-and-true breakthrough method that you’ve discovered over the years?

Thomson: We choose books which are relatable and relevant to the challenges of the participants’ lives. For example, we have a curriculum specially designed for LGBTQ+ participants, with books and poetry written by people dealing with the same struggles that the group has. Our teen groups’ books deal with issues common to teens, especially in marginalized communities. 

This helps people connect to reading, if they haven’t before. Our paradigm is one of respect and nurturing, and that attitude carries us through usual resistance to anything having to do with reading and writing. And we see big breakthroughs with the writing portion of our groups – people need to express themselves, especially when they live in a violence-laden environment. During our writing time, the students have an opportunity to speak freely and be 100% themselves. 

HollywoodChicago.com: Finally, what do you promise to the potential audience that is coming to the show, and how can they contribute further to your worthwhile organization?

Thomson: We promise a fun evening hosted by The Woman’s Club of Evanston. We can also promise that your support will truly make a difference in the lives of over 800 young people, and some adults, who are participating in Literature for All of Us book groups. 

For more information about “Literature for All of Us,” click here. For more information about the Woman’s Club of Evanston, click here.

HollywoodChicago.com senior staff writer Patrick McDonald

By PATRICK McDONALD
Writer, Editorial Coordinator
HollywoodChicago.com
pat@hollywoodchicago.com

© 2017 Patrick McDonald, HollywoodChicago.com

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