Photo Flash: Porchlight Announces Rachel Rockwell Memorial Fund at Gibson's

Porchlight Music Theatre and its Board Member and Artistic Associate Brenda Didier hosted a luncheon at Gibson's Bar and Steakhouse, 1028 N. Rush Street, on International Women's Day, Friday, March 8 celebrating women in theatre and announced the launch of The Rachel Rockwell Memorial Fund supporting fierce women behind the table at Porchlight Music Theatre and the 2019 honorees of the Fund: Denise Karczewski, Shanna VanDerwerker and Christie Chiles Twillie.

Through the generosity of Didier and the Lincolnshire Academy of Dance, where she is the founder and artistic director, The Rachel Rockwell Memorial Fund has been established to recognize, employ and support women in artistic leadership positions in Chicago music theatre, specifically at Porchlight. The Fund supports female-identifying professionals working at Porchlight "behind the table" - in influential and visible leadership positions off the stage such as director, music director, designer and other positions.

Executive Director Jeannie Lukow welcomed the guests to the launch and shared with them how and why The Fund was created. Lukow said, with the leadership of Board Member and Artistic Associate Didier, The Fund has been established as a continuing testament to Rockwell, who was a major force in the field of Chicago and national music theatre and the recipient of Porchlight's 2017 Guy Adkins Award for Excellence in the Advancement of Music Theatre in Chicago.

Didier, a cancer survivor, spoke of her relationship with Rockwell and how Rockwell inspired Didier with words of encouragement even when times seemed dark. One time, Didier continued, she was feeling overwhelmed and doubting her own abilities. Rockwell said quite clearly, "Be fierce, be fearless and just do it." Didier thought of these words when Rockwell passed and knew she had to do something to introduce Rockwell to people who did not know her and to celebrate the life that she had lived. "It's not a sad thing to create this, it's a celebration of Rachel's life and all she achieved in the little time she had with us."

Porchlight Artistic Director Michael Weber then presented the inaugural fierce women behind the table honorees: Denise Karczewski for lighting design; Shanna VanDerwerker for choreography and Christie Chlles Twilie for music direction. Each recipient thanked Porchlight, Didier and The Fund for honoring them with the award.

Rockwell's mother Glory Haite spoke about how meaningful this award was to her and her family. She said Rockwell is always close to her and she feels her presence every day. She encouraged all of those attending to remember her daughter lovingly and to celebrate her any chance that they could. Gary Haite, Rockwell's father then added, "Fierce is the right word to use for Rachel. She spent her life helping, guiding, supporting her friends and family." He said she is still directing all of us today and in her spirit, "when you feel doubtful, say 'yes.' Rachel when faced with a challenge would say, yes!"

Emily Rohm, vocalist, and Linda Madonia, pianist, performed "All that Matters" from the musical Finding Neverland to conclude the event. As attendees exited they were encouraged to take a bookmark that included inspirational quotes from the 2019 honorees. Donations to The Rachel Rockwell Memorial Fund may be made at PorchlightMusicTheatre.org.

Photo Credit: Rosie Schultz

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