A Drink With…Stacie Barra

Bartender, I’ll have a…Super Dirty Martini.

I’m SURE you remember me from such Factory shows as…G.I.s in Europe, both runs of 1985, and Take the Cake.

I got involved with the Factory because…I wanted to make my own opportunities and write my own pieces. Also, I love having an artistic tribe of hilarious women to surround myself with…the guys are kind of funny too.

My current/next gig is…Being a new mom, acting as Casting Director for Zombie Broads, and writing, writing, writing.

I give a shit about our move to Rogers Park because…It’s my neighborhood! Rogers Park is really growing and changing, and I’m so glad that The Factory gets to be part of that…and obviously, I’m a fan of the convenience…ok, it’s really the convenience. In all seriousness, it’s amazing to have The Factory recognized for its wealth of potential. We are cooking up some wonderful things, and having our own space in such a great location will help us broaden our audience and give us a home to do finally realize some long terms goals. Get ready, Chicago. Get ready, Rogers Park.

If I had to force you to listen to 2 albums, they would be…Beatles One: Because The Beatles are the greatest band of all time. Don’t give me lip-I know it’s a compilation and not really an album.

The Soundtrack to The Book of Mormon: Because it makes me cry with laughter every time I listen to it, and it inspires me to keep striving to write smart things.

My favourite Factory memory is…goes without saying that having my play, Take the Cake, produced and performing with my husband while pregnant with my daughter was amazing, but I also really cherish the camaraderie and fun we had in the ladies dressing room when we remounted 1985 at the DCA. Diva Cup, anyone?

I’m switching drinks, I’ll have a…Shiner.

This is Stacie with her cowboy boots and Shiner, because Texas. But don’t let that cute smile fool you. Girl is wicked sick and quick about it. She’s Factory after all. Yeeha!

 

A Drink With…Shannon O’Neill

Bartender, I’ll have a…Glass of 1973 Romanée-Conti Pinot Noir.

P.S. I’ll need that on the house unless you have $80K I can borrow. Thanks!

I’m SURE you remember me from such Factory shows as…The Barbara Walters Interviews, Dick Danger: DJ Crime Solver, Dragontales, Janice Dutts Goes to Life Camp, Mop Top Festival, Jenny and Jenni, White Trash Wedding and a Funeral (remount).

I got involved with the Factory because…It was love at first sight. I saw White Trash in 1996 at their Loyola space in Rogers Park. I was 20 years old and couldn’t believe what my eyes were seeing. I never laughed so hard or gasped as loud as I did seeing that show…again and again. I didn’t mind waiting in line late in the night, I didn’t mind holding my bladder to the point I was crying piss by the end and I didn’t even mind bolting into the alley to relieve myself if I couldn’t hold it. It was all worth it and I was hooked. Audacious, courageous and hilarious, show after show. The only theater in Chicago that knows exactly who it is and wears its heart on its sleeve with no apologies – definitely my kind of family.

My current/next gig is…Georgia Hays Patella due July 2015!

I give a shit about our move to Rogers Park because…A company that works this hard for decades deserves to have a place we can call home. We will thrive in Rogers Park, as we did 20 years ago. What happens when Factory reintegrates into an historic north side neighborhood is the chapter in the book everyone can’t wait to read.

If I had to force you to listen to 2 albums, they would be…Pete Fountain’s New Orleans at Midnight and 2 Live Crew’s Is What We Are.

My favourite Factory memory is…Breaking Christine Jennings and Heather Moran my first few seconds of acting on the Factory stage.

I’m switching drinks, I’ll have a…Gimme $80K I’ll switch to whatever you want, honey.

 

This is Shannon. She is awesome and probably has wine in that water bottle she’s carrying.