Screening of The Haven & Panel Discussion on Domestic Violence Survivor Stories in the #MeToo Movement

THE HAVEN web series finds itself tackling some of the most prominent issues of our time, with the recent resurgence of the #MeToo movement and the emergence of #TimesUp. Having completed two episodes of its first season, the all-female production is hosting a screening and panel discussion with domestic violence survivors and experts on Saturday, March 10th from 2-4pm at Third Unitarian Church, 301 North Mayfield, Chicago.

The Chicago-based tragicomic web series created and co-produced by Mia McCullough looks at life at a domestic violence shelter. McCullough is an award-winning playwright, screenwriter, and former professor at Northwestern University. She was inspired by her experiences working at an Evanston domestic violence shelter, starting in 1999.

The upcoming screening and panel discussion serves as an opportunity to raise awareness about this persistent and devastating problem that affects people from all walks of life. Panelists are Elizabeth Gomez (comedian, writer, survivor), Kiea Houseton (producer, stuntwoman, survivor), Maya Epstein (comedian, writer, survivor), Loretta Line (Suburban Courts Coordinator, Cook County, Domestic Violence Division). The conversation will be moderated by The Haven producer Mia McCullough.

Elizabeth Laidlaw, McCullough’s producing partner, co-director on the pilot, and featured actress in the series said, “With our content we are tackling an issue that affects millions of people. With our hiring practices, we’re providing work and pay for 30 actors over the next two episodes — 90% of whom are women and people of color — as well as a diverse and mostly-female crew. We’re creating much needed opportunity for many deserving, underemployed local artists.”

The producing duo’s mission is to wrench the center of power away from Hollywood. McCullough and Laidlaw are part of a new generation of Chicago artists who want to create an industry that’s profitable enough that Chicago talent doesn’t have to leave the city to make a living. They specifically employ mostly women, with a significant emphasis on women of color, in front of and behind the camera.

Haven Productions LLC plans to resume shooting this April with Reshmi Hazra as director, Grace Hahn as Associate Producer, Megan St. John as Line Producer, K Mraz as Production Designer, and Andrea Kinnerk as Director of Photography.

Starting in the fall of 2016, THE HAVEN launched its mission to empower women, people of color, and non-gender-conforming folx by telling their stories and bringing employment opportunities to under-utilized members of Chicago’s talented and vibrant arts community. THE HAVEN is a SAG/AFTRA project.

The Haven screening and panel discussion will be on Saturday, March 10th at Third Unitarian Church (301 North Mayfield, Chicago). This event is FREE, but reservations can be made at eventbrite. Information about the project, cast, and crew can be found at The Haven, Facebook, Instagram or Twitter. Tax-deductible donations can also be made via Fractured Atlas.