Contact: Sandy Andersen
Cell: (608) 425-0931
E-mail: sandynandersen@gmail.com
Local artist Sandy Andersen presents a personal and moving show telling the stories of pain, healing, and the power and strength of surviving
(Madison) —StageQ is pleased to welcome “Surviving, Hope and Surrendering: Songs, Stories and Laughter along the Path of Healing,” presented by Sandy Andersen and friends which will take the stage at the Bartell Theatre on August 23 at 7:30 PM and August 24 at 2:00 and 7:30 PM. Tickets for this show are $20 and can be purchased by calling the Bartell Theatre Box Office at 608-661-9696, extension 3. This is sponsored by StageQ with support from the Rape Crisis Center.
“I felt called to do a performance like this. Even though I’ll be very exposed in one sense, showing my own vulnerability, will help others trapped by their past,” says Sandy Andersen. “I want to help people find their voice and move beyond whatever has happened to them in their lives so that they can be freer and happier.”
“Surviving, Hoping and Surrendering” is comprised of both stories and songs, some original compositions while others are adaptations of current music. It is a show in three Acts:
— Act One is about survival. Sandy explores how she overcame her personal trauma.
— Act Two is about hope. Starting back in her childhood, Sandy reflects on her own vocal evolution from Pat Benatar wannabe to musical theater talent to a respected opera performer and back again.
— Act Three is about surrendering. Sandy shows the joy of letting go and the beauty of enjoying each moment.
Due to the personal nature of this show, staff from the Rape Crisis Center will be onsite if any audience member would like to speak with them about a personal experience or need other resources.
Local artist Yvette Pino, founder of Veterans Art Project, will be printing t-shirts onsite allowing the audience to find their personal testimonial of strength. T-shirts will be printed with the words “Let Your Spirit…” Audience members will be able to pick from several words (such as sing, grow, heal, evolve, and dance) to finish their testimonial of strength.
“Sandy has the ability to connect viscerally with an audience,” says Tara Ayres, Artistic Director for StageQ. “I am thrilled that our community will have the chance to experience her storytelling. It’s transformational.”
Sandy moved to Madison in 2011 and is happy to call the city home. She is active in the lgbtq community and is the secretary of OPEN, the Out Professional and Executive Network. Sandy has traveled around the country and the world as a professional opera singer. Her experience includes performing regularly with the Arizona Opera and more locally, as a frequent soloist with the Dubuque Symphony Orchestra. She has expanded her repertoire in the last few years and has held several local performances singing folk, rock, and musical theater styles. Sandy suffered violence and rape as a child and is passionate about helping others who have gone through trauma to find their voice and find ways to heal.
