Money, Performance, and 8 Brave Women

Money stories surround us. 

Some we choose, others choose us.  Either way, we are impacted. 

I’ve been wanting to explore money through the crucible of theater for several years, yet told myself in a stern and loving voice “not yet….not now, you have too much on your plate.” 

Then in January the time had come, the heavens opened, the cast appeared, and next thing I know we are having rehearsals and our stories are blooming, though it’s a predictably messy process. 

I LOVE a blank canvas—whether it’s actual fabric stretched across wood, or a blank piece of paper, or a theater.  Perhaps this is the benefit of not ever having been schooled in art, performance or writing. I don’t have voices in my head saying “you can’t do that.”
 
How did I get from financial planner to producer of {Wild} Money Monologues?  It’s really about coming full circle.  In my twenties I made a living as a fiber artist and I danced professionally with Do Jump! Movement Theater, here in Portland.  I spent over a decade deeply immersed in creative expression.

Then I met Susan Banyas and took her amazing course called Soul Stories, where she combines personal story telling with image and movement.  I loved the idea of giving visual feedback, which we did by witnessing each other’s stories, then sketching a singular image that stood out for us: “The Red Dress,” “Diving Deep,” “My Mother’s Ring.” 
               

(These are image cards I created while trying to get pregnant, 15 years ago)

This process of creating image cards is actually at the root of my entire Wild Money philosophy!
 
Out of this experience, and just as I was finishing my Master’s degree in Depth Psychology, I wrote and produced a one-woman show called Balancing Act— exploring my deep, elusive desire to be a mother and to reclaim parts of myself lost on the journey to womanhood.  It rocked my world.  Within a month of this performance, at 38 years old, I ended my marriage, and embarked on motherhood alone, without a compass, fueled by longing. 

Storytelling is transformative—that much I know for sure.
 
Fast forward seventeen years:  I now have a 15 year old, I am the CEO of my own financial planning firm, found the love of my life two years ago, and have a burning desire to take my relationship with money to the next level.  Gulp.

{Wild} Money Monologues is storytelling at it’s finest.  Seven brave women said yes when I asked them to participate in my vision of a theater piece exploring our intimate relationship with money.  I’m a financial planner and I hear these stories all day long— yet I want more people to be touched by the humanity of our stories.  I know, personally, that stories transform.  I know, also, that I can only touch a few people through my financial planning practice.  But with theater, the possibility of reaching more people is exponential.  We can create a rippling out of hope.

This performance is authentic, fearless, and dwells in possibility.  You will resonate with the stories told by eight women ranging from 30-74 years old.  We explore money from the inside out.  I want you to leave the show inspired and moved, more aware and less judging of yourself and others.

What if we choose to be in a loving relationship with money? How would that change our world? 

As my mentor, Greg Hartle says, “Change your relationship with money and you’ll change your life.”
 
I hope you’ll join us for our World Premier, June 6 and 7th!  And if you don’t live in Portland, bring us to your hometown or event! (ok, that’s another one of my dreams!).

Tickets are limited and will be made available to my readers for 24 hours before being open to the public.  If you’d like first dibs, sign up for my visual money inspiration email list here.  Tickets are only $18.  

I hope to see you there!