In 1962, a young woman named Hazel Johnson moved her family to Chicago’s Altgeld Gardens, a public housing project originally designed for Black World War II veterans. What follows is an epic story of loss, environmental disaster, and hope that a united group of people can organize to change a system. Hazel Johnson, dubbed “Mother of the Environmental Justice Movement,” by her environmental justice peers, was the founder of People for Community Recovery and a lifelong activist who challenged the Southside’s “toxic donut.” Inspired by her work, as well as the work of other PCR organizers, the Free Street Youth Ensemble presented Mothering the Movement, an original performance that explores the impact of generational organizing and asks “what does it mean to mother justice?”
Created by youth ages 14-18, Mothering the Movement used puppets, movement, and podcast/interview transcripts to honor the life and legacy of Hazel Johnson, Cheryl Johnson, and the People for Commuity Recovery. Created in partnership with Respair Media’s award-winning podcast Help This Garden Grow, the performance invited audiences of all-ages to consider how they might join in ongoing efforts for repair and transformation in their communities. “The youth ensemble learned about “the toxic donut” during research for our previous show, Wasted,” says Producing Artistic Director and project co-director Katrina Dion. “The history of Altgeld Gardens is as shocking as Johnson’s story is motivating, and they wanted to know more.” Dion notes “the stars aligned” when Respair Media released their podcast on the subject: “Damon Williams and Daniel Kisslinger are wonderful storytellers, and we were thrilled they wanted to collaborate.” The result is a sharp, funny performance that used Free Street’s trademark mix of humor, pop culture, and hopeful sincerity to ask “how can we all be mother?”
Mothering the Movement is co-directed by Katrina Dion and Marilyn Carteño, with Xitlali Celeste. Designers include Eleanor Kahn (scenic), Conchita Avitia (lighting), Sal Yvat (costumes) Dee Etti-Williams (sound), MoonBull Studios (wooden puppets, Rocio “Chio” Cabrera (shadow puppets).
Devising Ensemble: Ida Xoomsai, Leo Gbegan, Ollie King, Brooks Lansana, Jade Huang, Jordan Harris, Froy Perez, Angie Flores, Nia Nance-Cannon.
Link to full show on Youtube: https://youtu.be/77l0Ha2jMOU
Photos by Luis Cardenas & Eleanor Kahn
