Corri
Feuerstein ’96 of Chicago loves to make a production out of feeding
people. In her free time, she loves making dinners for large groups of
friends or even for just one person, but her gusto for feeding people, and
theatre, led her to another outlet for quelling her appetite.
Born
and raised in the Chicagoland area, Feuerstein says she can’t remember
not being interested in music and theatre. She graduated from The Chicago
Academy for the Arts, and chose Millikin because of its small environment.
She enjoyed the atmosphere at Millikin, which offered more opportunities
for self-created work than a larger school.
In
1997, Feuerstein joined fellow Millikin alum Lisa Hackman ’96 at a
Chicago coffee shop to brainstorm ideas for a theatre company. “It’s a
classic scenario — friends from college get a theatre company
together,” Feuerstein says. “but we were determined to work hard to
make sure it stayed afloat.” Will Act For Food (WAFF) was cooked up that
day.
WAFF,
a not-for-profit theatre company based in Chicago, has offered discounted
theatre tickets to patrons who donate non-perishable food items. In
addition, WAFF designates one night during each production as a Cans For
Cash event, where patrons may donate food in lieu of admission price to
the show and an after-show gala. WAFF annually sponsors Starving Artist
Week during which local theaters and businesses serve as collection spots
for food donations.
Each
season, WAFF chooses one food bank or shelter to receive the donated food
items. During the 2001 season, WAFF donated more than a half ton of food
to Residents for Effective Shelter Transitions, and more than one ton of
food to the Greater Chicago Food Depository in 2002.
All
staff members volunteer their time and talent and have other paying jobs.
“None are paid for their services, except our technical staff,” says
Feuerstein, who serves as the artistic director. The company strives for a
three-show season, not including special events, and stages productions at
various theatres around the Chicago area. Its next production, “The
Memory of Water,” will be held at Strawdog Theater, 3829 N. Broadway,
from Sept. 18 through Oct. 18, 2003.
“It’s
a wonderful group of people who work harder than I could have hoped for
and are more passionate than I could have imagined,” Feuerstein says.
“I’m always amazed at how many people support us and am constantly in
awe of the passion and commitment I see. They are talented, dedicated and
many take time from bigger theatres to work with us.”
Want
to know more?
Check out: www.willactforfood.org
