BryonySeries author Denise M. Baran-Unland reads at Bicentennial Park in Joliet on April 26, 2025

WriteOn Joliet Radio-Player: Colleen Robbins

On April 25 and April 26, ten members of WriteOn Joliet presented “We Can Be Heroes," an original radio theater production at the Billie Limacher Bicentennial Park Theatre in Joliet.

One of the author/performers was Colleen H. Robbins, who rehearsed with us all the way until the final week and then had to miss the actual performances, which was especially disappointing since she had wanted to participate the last two years.

But Colleen's piece was still featured in the performances, a true story of how she'd saved a man's lfie when a shark attacked him.

Colleen has been writing since age 9 and had her first publication at age 12. She has published everything from poems and stories to essays and novels. She prefers to write science fiction, fantasy, and horror and loves to bring in real science and mythological research when she can. She holds a degree in English Language and Literature from Lewis University (2003), attended the Iowa Summer Writing Workshop in 2003, the Odyssey Fantasy Writing Workshop in 2007, and TNEO in 2009 and 2013.

Her high fantasy “Daraga” series features stand-alone novels that include problems that modern teenagers face, set in a medieval world with magic, dragons, and elves. The first four novels, “Daraga’s Quest,” “The Daraga’s Children,” “Dark Protector,” and “Ciara’s Island” are currently available on Amazon, with two more (“Perok’s Prophecy” and “The Wizard’s Daughter”) in various stages of editing. Three short story collections, “Stories of a Sheltered Suburbanite,” “Night Breeze and Moonbeams,” and “Invasive Species and Other Light Horror” are also available, with several more collections planned. She also co-authored the middle-grade fantasy “Return to Ganagar” with her daughter Tarina Jameson and has been included in numerous anthologies.

Colleen enjoys the fellowship of the other writers in WriteOn Joliet, and the occasional challenges to write short stories on a theme or through prompts (several of which have sold to anthologies). She currently lives in Joliet, IL with her husband, and stays in regular contact with her six grandchildren.

The other authors and performers on April 25 and April 26 were Denise M. Baran-Unland, Mauverneen Blevins, Ed Calkins, Holly Coop, Steve Cordin, Diana Estell, Jenny Russ, Cean Magosky, and Duanne Walton.

Our director this year was Anne Magosky.

Our production assistant was Rebekah Baran.

The first fifteen attendees at each performance received a FREE 2024 WriteOn Joliet anthology, courtesy of Saporta Law Offices in Joliet.

And the first fifteen visitors at the BryonySeries booth received a BryonySeries superhero bag.

If you missed this year's show, the WriteOn Joliet Radio-Players will return next year (tentative dates are Friday, April 17 and Saturday, April 18) with a completely new show.

Maybe we'll see you there!

WriteOn Joliet Radio-Player: Diana Estell

On April 25 and April 26, ten members of WriteOn Joliet presented “We Can Be Heroes," an original radio theater production at the Billie Limacher Bicentennial Park Theatre in Joliet.

One of the author/performers was Diana Estell, who had to drop out of the actual performances due to a family emergency, which was especially disappointing since she had participated the last two years.

But Diana's piece (a Dating Game parody featuring Greek heroes) was still part of the show. And like the superhero Diana is, she still attended two of the three performances to cheer us on.

The joy and pains of Diana's personal story, as well as her educational background, have shaped her writing style.

Diana has a Bachelor of Arts from Northern Illinois University and it was there, while writing for her classes in anthropology, that her love of writing re-awoke.

Growing up, Diana had a book in her hand constantly, books like Little House on the Prairie, Little Women, and countless others.  

The love of words is a deep passion of hers. She enjoyed reading the dictionary, taking words and changing them into new words.  

Words were her imaginary playground, a veritable lush garden, springing out blossoms of creativity.

When Star Wars blasted into orbit, so too did Diana’s love for all things fantasy. Dungeon and Dragons and Star Trek played a significant role in her private imaginary world. 

Now the worded playground, with its abundant flora, sprung forth thorns of sharpened steel. Planets and creatures emerged with ease. This passion for fantasy has never left but has grown stronger.

Diana has traveled extensively, most recently to Paris, France. Her love for history, martial arts and weapons is woven into her writings. She has a black belt in a martial arts blend of Taekwondo and Jujitsu. 

She had anticipated she would be going on archeological digs after graduating, but childhood dreams never die.  No matter how many layers of her past accumulated, nothing could stop a story from emerging in her mind.

Diana's first novel, Abyss of the Fallen, was released by Brimstone Fiction in 2020.

For more information, visit dianaestell.com.

The other authors and performers on April 25 and April 26 were Denise M. Baran-Unland, Mauverneen Blevins, Ed Calkins, Holly Coop, Steve Cordin, Jenny Russ, Cean Magosky, Colleen H. Robbins, and Duanne Walton.

Our director this year was Anne Magosky.

Our production assistant was Rebekah Baran.

The first fifteen attendees at each performance received a FREE 2024 WriteOn Joliet anthology, courtesy of Saporta Law Offices in Joliet.

And the first fifteen visitors at the BryonySeries booth received a BryonySeries superhero bag.

If you missed this year's show, the WriteOn Joliet Radio-Players will return next year (tentative dates are Friday, April 17 and Saturday, April 18) with a completely new show.

Maybe we'll see you there!

DAVID BOWIE - Heroes (Piano Version)

WriteOn Joliet Radio-Player: Denise M. Baran-Unland

In case you missed previous posts, ten members of WriteOn Joliet will present “We Can Be Heroes," an original radio theater production, at 7 p.m. April 25 and 2:30 and 7 p.m. April 26 at the Billie Limacher Bicentennial Park Theatre in Joliet.

And one of the author/performers is me.

I'm the primary author of the phantasmic BryonySeries, which includes the “drop of blood” vampire trilogy for young and new adults, a Gothic prequel for adults, the Limbo trilogy, a standalone werewolf novel, the Adventures of Cornell Dyer mystery series for grade and middle school students, the Girls of the BryonySeries series for tween girls, and the Bertrand the Mouse series for young children.

I have six adult children, three adult stepchildren, twenty total grandchildren, two great-grandchildren, six godchildren, and four cats.

I'm the co-founder of WriteOn Joliet and has published several anthologies for the group. I previously taught features writing for a homeschool coop, with the students' work published in the co-op magazine and The Herald-News in Joliet.

I blog daily (as you can see) and I'm currently the features editor at The Herald-News. To read her feature stories, visit shawlocal.com/the-herald-news.

For more information about my writings and to follow her on social media, visit bryonyseries.com and dmbaranunland.com.

The other authors and performers on April 25 and April 26 are Mauverneen Blevins, Ed Calkins, Holly Coop, Steve Cordin, Diana Estell, Jenny Russ, Cean Magosky, Colleen H. Robbins, and Duanne Walton.

Our director this year is Anne Magosky.

Our production assistant is Rebekah Baran.

Lobby doors open at 6 p.m. Concessions and drinks available for purchase. WriteOn Joliet books and anthologies will be available for purchase one hour before the show, during intermission and immediately after the show’s conclusion.

In addition, the first fifteen attendees at each performance will receive a FREE 2024 WriteOn Joliet anthology, courtesy of Saporta Law Offices in Joliet.

The Billie Limacher Bicentennial Park Theatre is at 201 West Jefferson Street, downtown Joliet, 60432.

For tickets and more information, visit bicentennialpark.org or contact the office: 815-724-3761 or bipark@joliet.gov.

WriteOn Joliet Radio-Player: Rebekah Baran

No show can go on without a production assistant that does the miscellaneous behind-the-scenes grunt work: running errands, stuffing scripts, picking up and distributing flyers, providing feedback, hunting up miscellaneous items as needed, finding missing hearing aids backstage, and running WriteOn Joliet meetings as needed.

But that's exactly some of the tasks WriteOn member Rebekah Baran has executed since January.

In case you missed previous posts, ten members of WriteOn Joliet will present “We Can Be Heroes," an original radio theater production, at 7 p.m. April 25 and 2:30 and 7 p.m. April 26 at the Billie Limacher Bicentennial Park Theatre in Joliet.

Our director this year is Anne Magosky.

Admission is $5.

Rebekah Baran has a knack in learning technology very quickly and easily taught herself the basics of website design, formatting manuscripts for print books and eBooks, book cover design, and the basics of self-publishing.

She is the to-go production person for all of the BryonySeries books and the WriteOn Joliet anthologies and website.

Rebekah earned an Associate of Applied Science in Culinary Arts from Joliet Junior College in 2016 and has worked as a pastry chef, prep cook, and assistant sous chef in Will County restaurants.

She loves, baking, cooking, reading, researching new products, and all things pertaining to Asian culture.

Contact Rebekah at dmbaranunland@gmail.com. 

The authors and performers on April 25 and April 26 are Denise M. Baran-Unland, Mauverneen Blevins, Ed Calkins, Holly Coop, Steve Cordin, Diana Estell, Jenny Russ, Cean Magosky, Colleen H. Robbins, and Duanne Walton.

Production assistant is Rebekah Baran.

Lobby doors open at 6 p.m. Concessions and drinks available for purchase. WriteOn Joliet books and anthologies will be available for purchase one hour before the show, during intermission and immediately after the show’s conclusion.

In addition, the first fifteen attendees at each performance will receive a FREE 2024 WriteOn Joliet anthology, courtesy of Saporta Law Offices in Joliet.

The Billie Limacher Bicentennial Park Theatre is at 201 West Jefferson Street, downtown Joliet, 60432.

For tickets and more information, visit bicentennialpark.org or contact the office: 815-724-3761 or bipark@joliet.gov.

WriteOn Joliet Radio-Player: Anne Magosky

Good morning! 

In the couple of weeks leading up to showtime, I've been introducing you to each of the 2025 WriteOn Joliet Radio-Players and flooding this blog with show details, since the big days are this weekend.

Ten members of WriteOn Joliet will present “We Can Be Heroes," an original radio theater production, at 7 p.m. April 25 and 2:30 and 7 p.m. April 26 at the Billie Limacher Bicentennial Park Theatre in Joliet.

Admission is $5.

Our director this year is Anne Magosky.

Anne Magosky has appeared in and worked on many shows at the Billie Limacher Bicentennial Park Theatre, the Phillip Lynch Theater, Tangerine Tent, and Rep Theater of St. Louis.

Anne received her theater training at Webster University’s Theater Conservatory, and received a Bachelor of Arts in Speech from Lewis University.

Anne currently works as a special education paraprofessional at Ludwig School.

“We Can Be Heroes: marks Anne’s return to the theater after a 20-year hiatus.

The authors and performers on April 25 and April 26 are Denise M. Baran-Unland, Mauverneen Blevins, Ed Calkins, Holly Coop, Steve Cordin, Diana Estell, Jenny Russ, Cean Magosky, Colleen H. Robbins, and Duanne Walton.

Production assistant is Rebekah Baran.

Lobby doors open at 6 p.m. Concessions and drinks available for purchase. WriteOn Joliet books and anthologies will be available for purchase one hour before the show, during intermission and immediately after the show’s conclusion.

In addition, the first fifteen attendees at each performance will receive a FREE 2024 WriteOn Joliet anthology, courtesy of Saporta Law Offices in Joliet.

The Billie Limacher Bicentennial Park Theatre is at 201 West Jefferson Street, downtown Joliet, 60432.

For tickets and more information, visit bicentennialpark.org or contact the office: 815-724-3761 or bipark@joliet.gov.

WriteOn Joliet Radio-Player: Duanne Walton

Good morning! 

In the couple of weeks leading up to showtime, I've been introducing you to each of the 2025 WriteOn Joliet Radio-Players and flooding this blog with show details, since the big days are this weekend.

Ten members of WriteOn Joliet will present “We Can Be Heroes," an original radio theater production, at 7 p.m. April 25 and 2:30 and 7 p.m. April 26 at the Billie Limacher Bicentennial Park Theatre in Joliet.

Admission is $5.

One of the author/performers is Duanne Walton.

Duanne, who is working on a mystery thriller, is known as an intrepid videographer and writes nicely structured stream of consciousness pieces.

He said, "Writing is my gift from God and it's been with me forever. It's seen me through rough times and brought me to WriteOn Joliet where I've found support, encouragement and friends. 

"I've also discovered other talents as an intrepid videographer, interpretive dancer or mime, and comic strip writer artist. I am blessed and thankful."

Unlike many of us, Duanne is extremely relaxed and confident in front of a microphone. Give him any piece and he can execute brilliantly on the first read. Come out and see for yourself - and check out his YouTube channel at 4thtroika (@4thtroika), where you'll his recordings of WriteOn Joliet live events along with a wide assortment of Duanne's videos on varied topics.

The other authors and performers on April 25 and April 26 are Denise M. Baran-Unland, Mauverneen Blevins, Ed Calkins, Holly Coop, Steve Cordin, Diana Estell, Jenny Russ, Cean Magosky, and Colleen H. Robbins.

Director is Anne Magosky

Production assistant is Rebekah Baran.

Lobby doors open at 6 p.m. Concessions and drinks available for purchase. WriteOn Joliet books and anthologies will be available for purchase one hour before the show, during intermission and immediately after the show’s conclusion.

In addition, the first fifteen attendees at each performance will receive a FREE 2024 WriteOn Joliet anthology, courtesy of Saporta Law Offices in Joliet.

The Billie Limacher Bicentennial Park Theatre is at 201 West Jefferson Street, downtown Joliet, 60432.

For tickets and more information, visit bicentennialpark.org or contact the office: 815-724-3761 or bipark@joliet.gov.

Will You Take a BryonySeries Superhero Bag Home on April 26?

Ten members of WriteOn Joliet will explore various aspects of heroism in original radio-style stories and poems at 7 p.m. April 25 and 2:30 p.m. and 7 p.m. April 26  at the Billie Limacher Bicentennial Park and Theatre.

Yes, this year we have a matinee performance.

In celebration of WriteOn Joliet's first matinee, the BryonySeries table is giving away "superhero" bags to the first fifteen attendees who stop at the BryonySeries table (you have to stop at the BryonySeries table; they will not be at the ticket table).

By "attendees," we mean people who aren't performers or park staff. Sorry, guys.

So - what is a BryonySeries Superhero Bag?

Well, it is a bag that will look like this. And it will contain at least four items from local superheroes. Keep scrolling for details!

One item will be a copy of the BryonySeries novel "House on Top of the Hill," a collection of short stories (that move the entire book forward) centered on a village's preoccupation with a mansion that is literally on top of the hill.

Chapter 2 features the story that's been adapted for the performances. And that chapter will be marked with a special gift card from the The Book Market in Crest Hill. 

Not only is The Book Market a treasure trove of new, used, and rare books, the owner is a superhero to local authors in that she carries their books and hosts their events in store.

Another item in the BryonySeries Superhero Bag will be a hand-painted, plastic wrapped greeting card from local artist, WriteOn Joliet member, and super hero Barbara Eberhard. 

Each card is unique in design (no peeking to pick the one you want) and comes with the words "Be kind" on the front.

Barbara is a superhero in that she makes and sells these cards to benefit Lightways Hospice and Serious Illness Care in Joliet. (yes, hospice benefited from the card in your bag).

So when you give that card to someone, you will be giving more than a loving greeting. You will also be giving a piece of local art (suitable for framing) and the knowledge that hospice can help another family because of Barbara's generosity.

Finally, each bag will also include a Superhero Ribbit from Cindy. Each Superhero Ribbit is one-of-a-kind (again, no peeking to see which one you want) and individually packaged.

All Superhero Ribbits feature everyday heroes (could it be you? could it be me?) to help inspire you each time you look at it.

The Superhero Ribbit below is a nurse.

In addition to the BryonySeries Superhero bags, the first 15 attendees at EACH performance will receive a free copy of WriteOn Joliet’s 2024 anthology “Write Where We Are,” courtesy of Saporta Law Offices in Joliet, owned by superhero Stephen Saporta.

Admission to “We Can Be Heroes” is $5.

Authors and performers are Denise M. Baran-Unland, Mauverneen Blevins, Edward Calkins, Holly Coop, Steve Cordin, Diana Estell, Cean Magosky, Colleen H. Robbins, Jenny Russ and Duanne Walton.

Director is Anne Magosky.

Production Assistant is Rebekah Baran.

Lobby doors open one hour before performances. Concessions and drinks are available for purchase. WriteOn Joliet books and anthologies will be available for purchase one hour before the show, during intermission and immediately after the show’s conclusion.

The Billie Limacher Bicentennial Park and Theatre is at 201 West Jefferson Street, downtown Joliet, 60432.

For tickets and more information, visit bicentennialpark.org or contact the office: 815-724-3761/ bipark@joliet.gov.

WriteOn Joliet is a welcoming, diverse group of writers of varied skills, interests and experience. The group includes professional journalists, fiction novelists, bloggers, screenwriters, musicians and poets. We promise a safe, comfortable and supportive atmosphere to share your work, and constructive feedback so that everyone can benefit from our shared knowledge.

WriteOn Joliet is a proud partner of the Joliet Public Library and The Book Market in Crest Hill.

 For more information, visit writeonjoliet.com.

Stop out if you can! We strive to entertain and inspire you!

WriteOn Joliet Radio-Player: Jenny Russ

Good morning! 

In the next couple of weeks leading up to showtime, I'm planning to introduce you to each of the 2025 WriteOn Joliet Radio-Players and flood this blog with show details.

Are you ready? Here goes!

Ten members of WriteOn Joliet will present “We Can Be Heroes," an original radio theater production, at 7 p.m. April 25 and 2:30 and 7 p.m. April 26 at the Billie Limacher Bicentennial Park Theatre in Joliet.

Admission is $5.

One of the author/performers is Jennifer Russ.

Jenny Russ is a freelance writer focusing on animal welfare and human rights. They are the author of “The Heart’s Bone,” a fictional account of Tibet’s youngest self-immolators, and “Whitewallsville: One Man’s Journey Through Tigers, Frozen Birds, and Suicide,” a story of grief and redemption set within the walls of a mental institution. 

She also recently published a third book under a pen name, which reached the number one spot on Amazon in its category.

When Jenny is not tackling the serious topics, they enjoy petting dogs, smelling old books, cosplay, and traveling the world.

Contact Jenny at jrussauthor@gmail.com.

The other authors and performers on April 25 and April 26 are Denise M. Baran-Unland, Mauverneen Blevins, Ed Calkins, Holly Coop, Steve Cordin, Diana Estell, Cean Magosky, Colleen H. Robbins, and Duanne Walton.

Director is Anne Magosky

Production assistant is Rebekah Baran.

Lobby doors open at 6 p.m. Concessions and drinks available for purchase. WriteOn Joliet books and anthologies will be available for purchase one hour before the show, during intermission and immediately after the show’s conclusion.

In addition, the first fifteen attendees at each performance will receive a FREE 2024 WriteOn Joliet anthology, courtesy of Saporta Law Offices in Joliet.

The Billie Limacher Bicentennial Park Theatre is at 201 West Jefferson Street, downtown Joliet, 60432.

For tickets and more information, visit bicentennialpark.org or contact the office: 815-724-3761 or bipark@joliet.gov.

WriteOn Joliet Radio-Player: Cean Magosky

 Good morning! 

In the next couple of weeks leading up to showtime, I'm planning to introduce you to each of the 2025 WriteOn Joliet Radio-Players and flood this blog with show details.

Are you ready? Here goes!

Ten members of WriteOn Joliet will present “We Can Be Heroes," an original radio theater production, at 7 p.m. April 25 and 2:30 and 7 p.m. April 26 at the Billie Limacher Bicentennial Park Theatre in Joliet.

Admission is $5.

One of the author/performers is Cean Magosky

A WriteOn Joliet member, Cean is a surgical nurse by day and writer and musician in the remaining time. Current writing projects include researching and writing on the life of Joliet architect F. S. Allen and 19th century school architecture, which has made him an accidental postcard collector.

As surgical nurse, Cean has presented on the regional and national level and was a member of Northwestern Medicine Nursing Ambassadors for the Fine Arts and contributed to their project Listening to Life.

His children’s story Oatmeal Raisin Bear was featured in LocalLit, a newsletter I conceived and wrote for The Herald-News for several years.

Cean also writes and publishes a blog on Joliet history and architecture.

The other authors and performers on April 25 and April 26 are Denise M. Baran-Unland, Mauverneen Blevins, Ed Calkins, Holly Coop, Steve Cordin, Diana Estell, Cean Magosky, Colleen H. Robbins, Jenny Russ, and Duanne Walton.

Director is Anne Magosky

Production assistant is Rebekah Baran.

Lobby doors open at 6 p.m. Concessions and drinks available for purchase. WriteOn Joliet books and anthologies will be available for purchase one hour before the show, during intermission and immediately after the show’s conclusion.

In addition, the first fifteen attendees at each performance will receive a FREE 2024 WriteOn Joliet anthology, courtesy of Saporta Law Offices in Joliet.

The Billie Limacher Bicentennial Park Theatre is at 201 West Jefferson Street, downtown Joliet, 60432.

For tickets and more information, visit bicentennialpark.org or contact the office: 815-724-3761 or bipark@joliet.gov.

WriteOn Joliet Radio-Player: Ed Calkins, Steward of Tara

Good morning! 

In the next couple of weeks leading up to showtime, I'm planning to introduce you to each of the 2025 WriteOn Joliet Radio-Players and flood this blog with show details.

Are you ready? Here goes!

Ten members of WriteOn Joliet will present “We Can Be Heroes," an original radio theater production, at 7 p.m. April 25 and 2:30 and 7 p.m. April 26 at the Billie Limacher Bicentennial Park Theatre in Joliet.

Admission is $5.

One of the author/performers is Ed Calkins, Steward of Tara.

Ed Calkins is a real, 60-something, proud of his Irish-heritage computer programmer and amateur writer who has also spent his entire life working in newspaper circulation. Years ago, Calkins invented a "ruthless dictator" alter ego, also known as "The Steward of Tara."

With Calkins' permission, BryonySeries author Denise M. Baran-Unland furthered altered him to create a minor character in "Bryony," making Calkins the first Irish vampire of any significance. 

Of course, Calkins claims "Bryony" is really all about him, so he’s held his own book signings, which he is calls, "The Ed Calkins Tour." There must be some truth in his sentiments, because Calkins' plot importance does grow with each novel in the original BryonySeries trilogy

The post "Twenty Questions With Ed Calkins" will give more insight into the man, the myth, the character, and the author.

Calkins is the author of "The Fifth," (his backstory) “Ruthless” (also his backstory), "Recovering Ruthless" (also his back story with an emphasis on the BryonySeries novel "Staked!" and “Denise M. Baran-Unland's Irish Genealogy.” He also shares his writings on the BryonySeries blog. Email him at bryonyseries@gmail.com.

The other authors and performers on April 25 and April 26 are Denise M. Baran-Unland, Mauverneen Blevins, Holly Coop, Steve Cordin, Diana Estell, Cean Magosky, Colleen H. Robbins, Jenny Russ, and Duanne Walton.

Director is Anne Magosky

Production assistant is Rebekah Baran.

Lobby doors open at 6 p.m. Concessions and drinks available for purchase. WriteOn Joliet books and anthologies will be available for purchase one hour before the show, during intermission and immediately after the show’s conclusion.

In addition, the first fifteen attendees at each performance will receive a FREE 2024 WriteOn Joliet anthology, courtesy of Saporta Law Offices in Joliet.

The Billie Limacher Bicentennial Park Theatre is at 201 West Jefferson Street, downtown Joliet, 60432.

For tickets and more information, visit bicentennialpark.org or contact the office: 815-724-3761 or bipark@joliet.gov.

WriteOn Joliet Radio-Player: Steve Cordin

Good morning! 

In the next couple of weeks leading up to showtime, I'm planning to introduce you to each of the 2025 WriteOn Joliet Radio-Players and flood this blog with show details.

Are you ready? Here goes!

Ten members of WriteOn Joliet will present “We Can Be Heroes," an original radio theater production, at 7 p.m. April 25 and 2:30 and 7 p.m. April 26 at the Billie Limacher Bicentennial Park Theatre in Joliet.

Admission is $5.

One of the author/performers is Steve Cordin.

Steve usually lurks in the outskirts of Joliet, Illinois, to pay the bills and bar tabs. He has worked in banking as a repo man, foreclosure guru, and fraud investigator.  

He writes about fraud and crime, and he also writes horror fiction. Cordin is currently working on a collection of crime fiction short stories. 

Steve was a contributor to Jacked: A Crime Fiction Anthology. The book is available on Amazon. 

Another of Steve's crime fiction, Tiger by the Tail, was recently published by Storiaverse, a new platform for read-watch stories.

Contact Steve Cordin at sjcordin@gmail.com.

The other authors and performers on April 25 and April 26 are Denise M. Baran-Unland, Mauverneen Blevins, Ed Calkins, Holly Coop, Diana Estell, Cean Magosky, Colleen H. Robbins, Jenny Russ, and Duanne Walton.

Director is Anne Magosky

Production assistant is Rebekah Baran.

Lobby doors open at 6 p.m. Concessions and drinks available for purchase. WriteOn Joliet books and anthologies will be available for purchase one hour before the show, during intermission and immediately after the show’s conclusion.

In addition, the first fifteen attendees at each performance will receive a FREE 2024 WriteOn Joliet anthology, courtesy of Saporta Law Offices in Joliet.

The Billie Limacher Bicentennial Park Theatre is at 201 West Jefferson Street, downtown Joliet, 60432.

For tickets and more information, visit bicentennialpark.org or contact the office: 815-724-3761 or bipark@joliet.gov.

WriteOn Joliet Radio-Player: Holly Coop

Good morning! 

In the next couple of weeks leading up to showtime, I'm planning to introduce you to each of the 2025 WriteOn Joliet Radio-Players and flood this blog with show details.

Are you ready? Here goes!

Ten members of WriteOn Joliet will present “We Can Be Heroes," an original radio theater production, at 7 p.m. April 25 and 2:30 and 7 p.m. April 26 at the Billie Limacher Bicentennial Park Theatre in Joliet.

Admission is $5.

One of the author/performers is Holly Coop, for whom touching hearts with words has become a life purpose.

Holly writes and publishes inspirational poetry, motivational quotes, and spiritual insights. As the author of five poetry collections, Holly hopes her words will stir hearts and inspire others in their purpose.

She also enjoys sketching, creating photo notecards and art, and featuring her poetry. at hollycoopcards.Etsy.com.

At hollycoopauthor.wordpress.com, Holly shares reflections, nuggets of wisdom, and anything that comes to mind.

Holly resides in Joliet, Illinois with her husband, children, and furry friends.

Her poetry collections are available for purchase at: HollyCoopBooks.com and The Book Market Sales and Trading Center in Crest Hill.

Holly's books are also available in the local author collection at the Joliet Public Library. 

The other authors and performers on April 25 and April 26 are Denise M. Baran-Unland, Mauverneen Blevins, Ed Calkins, Steve Cordin, Diana Estell, Cean Magosky, Colleen H. Robbins, Jenny Russ, and Duanne Walton.

Director is Anne Magosky

Production assistant is Rebekah Baran.

Lobby doors open at 6 p.m. Concessions and drinks available for purchase. WriteOn Joliet books and anthologies will be available for purchase one hour before the show, during intermission and immediately after the show’s conclusion.

In addition, the first fifteen attendees at each performance will receive a FREE 2024 WriteOn Joliet anthology, courtesy of Saporta Law Offices in Joliet.

The Billie Limacher Bicentennial Park Theatre is at 201 West Jefferson Street, downtown Joliet, 60432.

For tickets and more information, visit bicentennialpark.org or contact the office: 815-724-3761 or bipark@joliet.gov.

WriteOn Joliet Radio-Player: Mauverneen Blevins

Good morning! 

In the next couple of weeks leading up to showtime, I'm planning to introduce you to each of the 2025 WriteOn Joliet Radio-Players and flood this blog with show details.

Are you ready? Here goes!

Ten members of WriteOn Joliet will present “We Can Be Heroes," an original radio theater production, at 7 p.m. April 25 and 2:30 and 7 p.m. April 26 at the Billie Limacher Bicentennial Park Theatre in Joliet.

Admission is $5.

One of the author/performers is Mauverneen Blevins.

Mauverneen (or Maureen as she is generally called) has spent most of her life in the Midwest, although she loves to travel and does so at every opportunity. 

Her interest in photography was sparked at an early age by a beloved uncle, and has developed into a passion over time, earning her a number of photography awards. 

Following in her mother's footsteps, who was also a published writer and author of four books, she began writing and has been published in various magazines and anthologies. 

Mauverneen is the author of "I KNOW That Bird!: Introducing Young Children to some common birds of the backyard," which is available for purchase on Amazon.

Her weekly blog, Positively Tuesday, is an ongoing attempt towards encouraging more positive thinking, one Tuesday at a time. 

She is the mother of three beautiful daughters, and foster mom to her adorable dog, Bailey. 

Mauverneen also created these beautiful individual radio-player cards I will be posting.

The other authors and performers on April 25 and April 26 are Denise M. Baran-Unland, Ed Calkins, Holly Coop, Steve Cordin, Diana Estell, Cean Magosky, Colleen H. Robbins, Jenny Russ, and Duanne Walton.

Director is Anne Magosky

Production assistant is Rebekah Baran.

Lobby doors open at 6 p.m. Concessions and drinks available for purchase. WriteOn Joliet books and anthologies will be available for purchase one hour before the show, during intermission and immediately after the show’s conclusion.

In addition, the first fifteen attendees at each performance will receive a FREE 2024 WriteOn Joliet anthology, courtesy of Saporta Law Offices in Joliet.

The Billie Limacher Bicentennial Park Theatre is at 201 West Jefferson Street, downtown Joliet, 60432.

For tickets and more information, visit bicentennialpark.org or contact the office: 815-724-3761 or bipark@joliet.gov.

For more information, visit mauveonthemove.com, maureenblevins.blogspot.com, and writeonjoliet.com.

WriteOn Joliet Presents "We Can Be Heroes"

Two years ago, WriteOn Joliet did something very unusual for a writer's group.

Eight WriteOn Joliet members presented original readings in a radio theater style performance at the Billie Limacher Bicentennial Park in Joliet, which you can watch here and here.

The response was so positive, Bicentennial Park invited us back with a new show in 2024 for two performances instead of one. 

Each member of the original cast returned. A ninth WriteOn Joliet member joined us.

And sooooooo...

In 2024, WriteOn Joliet presented “Fragments of Time,” another original radio theater production, at the Billie Limacher Bicentennial Park and Theatre in Joliet, which you can watch here and here.

Well, we're back in 2025 - and we've added a THIRD show.

Ten members of WriteOn Joliet will explore various aspects of heroism in original radio-style stories and poems at 7 p.m. April 25 and 2:30 p.m. and 7 p.m. April 26  at the Billie Limacher Bicentennial Park and Theatre.

Admission to “We Can Be Heroes” is $5.

Authors and performers are Denise M. Baran-Unland, Mauverneen Blevins, Edward Calkins, Holly Coop, Steve Cordin, Diana Estell, Cean Magosky, Colleen H. Robbins, Jenny Russ and Duanne Walton.

Director is Anne Magosky.

Production Assistant is Rebekah Baran.

Lobby doors open one hour before performances. Concessions and drinks are available for purchase. WriteOn Joliet books and anthologies will be available for purchase one hour before the show, during intermission and immediately after the show’s conclusion.

The first 15 attendees at each performance will receive a free copy of WriteOn Joliet’s 2024 anthology “Write Where We Are,” courtesy of Saporta Law Offices in Joliet.

The Billie Limacher Bicentennial Park and Theatre is at 201 West Jefferson Street, downtown Joliet, 60432.

For tickets and more information, visit bicentennialpark.org or contact the office: 815-724-3761/ bipark@joliet.gov.

WriteOn Joliet is a welcoming, diverse group of writers of varied skills, interests and experience. The group includes professional journalists, fiction novelists, bloggers, screenwriters, musicians and poets. We promise a safe, comfortable and supportive atmosphere to share your work, and constructive feedback so that everyone can benefit from our shared knowledge.

WriteOn Joliet is a proud partner of the Joliet Public Library and The Book Market in Crest Hill.

 For more information, visit writeonjoliet.com.

Stop out if you can! We strive to entertain and inspire you!

Peder B. Helland - The Hero We Need