Column: Launch of Paramount's new Spark Lab program receives standing ovation and funding

Chicago Tribune

11-02-2025

You could sense the anticipation in the audience.
And no wonder. Who doesn't want to be a witness to something brand new?
I'm sure that's how everyone in the seats of Copley Theatre in downtown Aurora felt Saturday when they witnessed a reading of the original play, 'Blood of My Mother's.' After all, this powerful story about the devastating impact dark secrets have on a Filipino-American family might make it to Broadway one day. Maybe even garner a Tony or two.
But on this recent afternoon 'Blood of My Mother's' was still in its incubation stages as the first reading of the Paramount's newly-launched Spark Lab, a program for new, original theatrical works by emerging or established artists, through a week-long developmental workshop that culminates in a public showcase of the work in progress.
That meant Saturday's event was the first public reading of this draft of the script, which had new pages and scenes created during the workshop at the Paramount, said Paramount New Works Director Kara Davidson.
'Welcome to opening night,' she told the audience before the cast came on stage.
That's pretty much how it felt.
Even though 'Blood of My Mother's' was read on a bare stage from scripts on music stands, we witnessed a powerful performance from those actors who knew their lines well, and more importantly, understood the complexity of the characters that playwright Karissa Murrell Myers brought to the page and director Denise Yvette Serna brought to the stage.
'What a joy it was for me to watch you doing your thing, sharing your gift. I got choked up halfway through,' said audience member Cheryl O'Donoghue in a question and answer session with the cast, director and playwright that followed the reading.
'This is a product right now,' she insisted. 'I would pay money for this entire experience.'
These words of praise were enthusiastically applauded by the audience, who had earlier given the cast a standing ovation.
O'Donoghue, by the way, was delighted for a few reasons. She has been the executive consultant for the Aurora Women's Empowerment Foundation, which last week gave a $1 million grant to support both the Paramount School of the Arts and the New Works department.
The funding will help contribute to the national catalog of new theatrical works. But as was noted by the Aurora Women's Empowerment Foundation Board Chair Amy Baudouin in a press release, 'we're excited to see how Paramount will elevate and empower the Aurora area and Aurora-area women in particular.'
All the above should be applauded by everyone in our communities who loves theater. With the Spark Lab now up and running, Paramount supporters will have chances to enjoy more of these works-in-progress, said Davidson.
The Spark Lab accepts proposals from plays, musicals or other theatrical experiences, such as puppetry, multi-media theater or immersive storytelling, that are reviewed for developmental opportunities. Four projects are selected on a rolling basis throughout the year from local, national and international artists.
Up next: a staged reading of the musical 'The King's Wife,' which will take place March 14 at Society 57 in downtown Aurora.
This imaginative retelling of the story of Queen Katherine of Aragon and her ladies in waiting is not only a different type of play, noted Davidson, it is 'further along the development path' than 'Blood of My Mother's.'
'Our presentation will be their last reading of this draft of the script and the vocal score before they go into rehearsals for … a full production run that gives them a chance to see everything up and on its feet, but still allows time' for work, process and changes, she explained.
'Blood of My Mother's' last went through a public reading two and a half years ago. At that time, many developmental changes were made, noted playwright Myers and several of the actors who worked on that earlier draft. This Paramount workshop required more tweaks and fewer rewrites, but still plenty of experimentation, especially over the ending, they told the audience.
Comparing it to 'full production,' this development stage, added director Serna, provides opportunities to be 'more playful … more collaborative with one another.'
According to the play's website, there is another workshop and public reading of 'Blood of My Mother's' with Bramble Theatre Company later this year. When and where it will end up is anyone's guess. I am told. But if the feedback from the audience is any indication, this sometimes humorous and always emotional generational family tale will one day have a real opening night.
Who knows, maybe right here on this very same Aurora stage.
'This (play),' insisted O'Donoghue, 'has the (Paramount's) BOLD Series painted all over it.'