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Project Mom Casting: Motherhood deserves more than Eggs Benedict for Mother’s Day

    This post is a Project MomCasting submission for a new reality tv series about women bloggers

    My name is Ann Imig, Stay-At-Home Humorist and creator of the live theater production, LISTEN TO YOUR MOTHER. I started blogging to improve my writing and launch a writing career. I never imagined the rich community of creativity—especially among mothers—that blogging provides.

    My unique view:

    Moms who write online can spring their literal voices from their blog voices in local productions of LISTEN TO YOUR MOTHER: Readings by local writers on motherhood.

    LISTEN TO YOUR MOTHER (LTYM) explores motherhood in a similar style to Eve Ensler’s “Vagina Monolgues” –minus all the vagina-talk. Sorry for that visual. Anyway.

    My story:

    Blogging is my stage. When I write, I imagine speaking directly to an audience. I found myself searching for a bigger audience for my voice and the voices of other mothers who blog; an audience beyond the blogging community.

    In March 2010—inspired by one too many rounds of Uno with my kindergartner —I conceived LTYM. Eight weeks later, on Mother’s Day, 11 mom/writers and I packed 300 people into The Barrymore Theater in Madison, Wisconsin for the first annual production.

    We launched a Mama Movement. Celebrating and testifying about motherhood, each woman read her own writing into the microphone. An audience of those who might never visit the blogosphere, enjoyed a piece of its vitality.

    My journey going forward involves sharing that microphone with mothers everywhere.

    I want to see Mother’s Day productions of LTYM replicated in communities nationwide. I want to encourage people—even those who will never get on a stage—to write. After the show last May, a woman told one of the performers that she went home and wrote for the first time.

    My ambition for growing LTYM includes supporting parents and communities in a creative and tangible way. The benefits of LTYM reach beyond the audience and cast, with a portion of the proceeds going to local charities supporting mothers and families.

    As an online Mom, I produce quality writing and build creative connections—all the while bringing humor to parenting’s most UNO stressful UNO situations NEVERENDING UNO.

    I make things happen.

    In addition to building a strong following on my blog and twitter, I bring traffic to my site and build my platform writing for McSweeney’s, and numerous websites. I’ve appeared on Wisconsin Public Radio, in Madison Magazine, and The Wisconsin State Journal. BlogHer named me a 2010 Voices of the Year finalist.

    My children remain clothed and fed. I still play Uno.

    My online life connects me to other parents and writers, and LTYM extends that connection with the greater community. I am changing the world with my blog—by encouraging creative expression through writing and celebrating Motherhood in the blogosphere and beyond. Project Mom Casting can help get that microphone to mamas everywhere, so future audiences can LISTEN TO YOUR MOTHER on Mother’s Day.

    After the Eggs Benedict, of course.

    0 thoughts on “Project Mom Casting: Motherhood deserves more than Eggs Benedict for Mother’s Day”

    10. Neil

      I just bought a new hi-def TV, so now I know what to watch! Ha Ha, imagine your paranoia about the dust under the couch. You aren’t having three guests over for dinner. You are inviting a TV crew! But you would be great and I like your message. Good luck.

    12. anymommy

      Perfection. My fingers and toes are crossed. And yes, I do want to produce the Seattle show…um, I’d only have to sell one child for the capital investment, right?

    13. Amanda veith

      Seeing this show on Mother’s Day with my mom was the most inspirational, hilarious, heart-tuggingly AMAZING experience. I wrote you immediately to tell you to get this concept out to the rest of the country and here you might be doing it! I would LOVE that and mothers around the country would be very lucky to listen to this mother. 🙂

    14. Heather of the EO

      Dude. I love this. I love your vision and creativity and passion and heart. I love all of you Miss Ann. I am honored to call you friend and know for certain that the producers should not pass up this chance. You are one of a kind in every possible way. Always entertaining, always inspiring, and always wise.

      A”n audience of those who might never visit the blogosphere, enjoyed a piece of its vitality” – and isn’t that the purpose of this reality show? Partially, maybe, but indeed!

    15. jennypenny007

      I love it. I’m a mom who blogs, and I missed the Listen to Your Mother Show because I was apparently living in a hole with my children and didn’t hear about it until too late. But I have been keeping an eye on your blog, and this idea is fantastic.

    24. Marinka

      If you were on the show, I’d watch everything on the network all day long just in case they aired a promo ad with you in it. I think that’s perfectly normal behavior, don’t you?

    25. Becky

      Here here sister friend! You know you were the first person that popped into my head when I heard about this. You were made for it!

      Go get ’em tiger! (I promise I’ll never say that again…) xoxo

    26. Anonymous

      Listen to Your Mother was so amazing. The stories each woman told stick with me and I even find myself quoting them. “We all work harder…have a fresca…ding dong.” Not to mention the heart filled emotional parts that humble me and make me put my motherhood struggles into perspective on a daily basis. I loved the show and would come every single year for more laughter and tears. Would love to see it available for viewing for all mothers! xoxo, leah

    27. becca

      So wonderful Ann! I wish you the best of luck in this… You know how much I LOVE LOVE and was inspired by LTYM… I hope to see so much more of it and YOU!

    29. Rene/ Not The Rockefellers

      Dear Project Mom Casting:

      Tracking Ann’s journey of growing LTYM from local to national while maintaining home and family, and the stories that would no doubt unfold along the way ( like the woman who decided to write for the first time after a LTYM performance)would be highly entertaining, humorous and informative.
      Plus I couldn’t imagine a project like this without Ann Imig involved in it in some way.

      Rene Foran

    30. Anonymous

      Ann: you are truly an inspiration! you would be perfect for a reality show. your vision and strength in your writing, in your being, and in your ingenious idea-brought-to-reality-in-2-months (LTYM) touches my life on many levels. thank you for allowing me to take part in this journey of yours (of course, i am expecting to be featured in the reality show if you make it, LOL). you rock!!

      xo Lael

    31. Deb

      This would be an engaging story with so many layers. Wow, what a thrilling idea! Genius, really, but I’m not surprised.

    32. MOLLYC

      I am amazed by this, but not sure that I understand it totally. You are doing ongoing theatrical productions? Did you know that I was a theatre major long ago? That is neither here nor there. But you are a hugely talented woman. Of that I am convinced. molly

    33. Kaye McClaren Becker

      UNO? WHAT’S UNO? HOW DO I GET UNO? WHY DON’T I KNOW UNO? DOES THIS MEAN I’M A BAD MOM IF I DO NOT UNO MY CHILDREN? WILL THIS UNO MAKE MY KIDS SMARTER? DO THEY TEST FOR UNO ACHIEVEMENT IN KINDERGARTEN? TALK TO ME UNO PEOPLE!!!!

      Ok, in all seriousness, if you get this Housemoms of Madison dealy, at least let me be your stylist ok sistah?

    34. Redneck Mommy

      You would be fantastic! LTYM is an amazing project and you are an inspiration. I can’t think of anyone else I’d want to see in this show. Knock em dead, my friend.

    37. Anonymous

      I think you are the clearest voice in true-to-life mothering….look forward to taking each step along with you and the boys!

    38. Julie @ StageMama.com

      Do you think they’ll have a talent show and then you can wear your best leg warmers and sing, “What I Did For Love”? That would be must-see TV. I would watch that show and add my sheep to your flock of admirers!! xoxo

    40. Anonymous

      Ann you are amazing. This is so inspirational. You astound me, thank you for sharing your gift with us!

    41. Anonymous

      What a TERRIFIC idea, Ann!! I love the concept, and have been laughing as I watch the video of the LTYM Barrymore performance. And, having just come back from a week-long trip to Yellowstone (seemed like a month) having travelled with two exhausted Moms and three exhausting teenage girls (13, 14 & 15), I am SURE that LTYM is not only for Moms but for all of us who can support Moms!!! (a la “Mother for another Mother” — only it isn’t for Foster mothers…it is for ALL Mothers of TEENAGERS!) Keep up the effort!! This has HUGE potential and can provide humor and balance to millions. xo Claire

    42. Anonymous

      This is fantastic, Ann! I’d watch you on tv and pay money to see you on stage ANY DAY. And that is even when I get to see you all the time in real life. Which I don’t get to do anymore… But you know what I’m sayin’.

      –Amy The Bitchin Wife, because the damned iphone won’t allow comments from Scotland.

    43. Amy@Bitchin'WivesClub

      I just got online with my dongle… don’t ask. Americans are being denied a basic right in life without easy access to dongles over there. Anyway…
      I just wanted to say — WOW. You have accomplished so much since starting to blog and seeing your successes laid out makes me so incredibly proud to know you and so acutely aware of why I admire you so much and always listen when you offer advice. I think it would be incredible if you were offered a chance to inspire a larger audience. 🙂

    46. hokgardner

      Brilliant idea. I’m proud of you for putting together the first LTYM, and I’m rooting for your efforts to get it started around the country. When it happens in Austin, I’ll be there with bells on.

    48. Anonymous

      This is great Ann!! Love the idea. You’d be awesome! BTW, did you know UNO has branched out? You should try UNO Spin … love it when we land on “change hands” and I’m ready to go out … instead I get Jack’s hand full of cards (and he gets to go out)!!
      ~ Cindy

    49. machodemacho

      “Sorry for that visual,” nice one, Ann.
      Keep your fans in stitches and your kids away from them!
      Good luck with the casting process. I can’t wait to monitor your progress.
      -B

    53. Anonymous

      Ann,

      LTYM hit so many people’s soft spots, dead-on. I rememer little powdered old ladies with pantyhose and little girls with tangly hair and sweet tired dads and complicated families MOVED to tears and cheers that day.

      Like our kids, LTYM took and takes work and feeding, but also like our kids, it seeemingly grows itself. LTYM is a toddler that is straight on its way to adolescence and beyond and there is no stopping it because it has a life-force!
      LTYM, like so many good things, grew and grows naturally because it speaks to so many people right where their hurting, loving hearts are.

      LTYM is one lovely child, but it is leaving, hitting the road. It has to.
      It’s got people to meet and things to hear and say.
      Go, baby!

      Dana Maya

    54. maggie, dammit

      Participating in Listen to Your Mother was more than an honor for me–it was utterly life-changing. I know as a blogger I am prone to hyperbole, but I’m holding back here, swear. LTYM really is a gift to the world, just like you are.

      Love and more love.

    55. Anonymous

      after knowing you for over 20 years, I am certain you’d pull all your talents together and kick much reality TV butt. – Merna

    57. Bejewell

      Super proud to know you, and to call you a friend. I already knew you were amazing, but reading this makes me realize just HOW accomplished you are. (It also makes me feel like a lazy, half-assed douche, but that really has more to do with my own issues, I think we both know that.)

      Wishing you the very best of luck on this next leg of your journey — whatever comes next, I’m certain you will be a SMASHING SUCCESS. Hugs, my friend!!!

    59. Anonymous

      LTYM was inspired and inspiring! It was a joy to attend, and the stories and emotion of the presenters have stuck with me like a favorite movie or novel. I kept thinking, ‘My friends would love this!’ Moms everywhere should be so lucky as to have LTYM in their own community. Ann, you have such a clear sense of who you are, and the talent to back it up – you are perfect for this!
      -Stacie

    60. Anonymous

      I attended LTYM and it was one of the most enjoyable and emotional and days of my life. Those moms painted a vivid canvas of the bliss and the hardships of motherhood. I was truly moved and honored to be there, listening. As I walked through the crowd after the show, every one looked moved–the laughter and tears were still coming. I felt such a strong sense of pride in a circle of hundreds gathered in honor of listening to moms, supporting moms. Ann has a gift that she shares openly and lovingly and she is freakin’ hilarious. Her humor and honesty motivate me forward through any challenges and many celebrations. Mothers unite and support one another, and trust their instincts. My instincts tell me that this is not only wonderful, but important and inspirational right now. Kick ass at UNO, kick ass at this. -cyb

    61. Claire

      Wonderful idea, Ann! I was so disappointed to miss the performance b/c I don’t live in Madison–what brilliance to spread it across the country. Moms need a microphone that reaches beyond our homes!

    63. The Empress

      This is the FIRST one I’ve read where it’s about what you can do for others.

      I adored this. I loved it. I think you rock at building relationships and encouraging the mama movement.

      Who’s with me????

    64. Ann Imig

      I want to thank every single person who commented here.

      Regardless of what might happen with the reality show, I feel your momentum!

      Humbled and Grateful, and trying to keep all my limbs inside the cart as we ascend this roller coaster. (Gangle Gangle)

      Ann

    65. Nanny Goats In Panties

      Ann – what you’ve done so far with Listen to Your Mother is nothing short of inspiring and amazing. I hope this thing explodes and I look forward to your nationwide splash. Good Luck!

      – Margaret

    66. Margo

      I am so impressed with all this, and I love seeing you, someone who is so talented WORKING IT for the betterment of women everywhere, and the world 🙂 Please let me know what I can do to help!

    67. The Flying Chalupa

      You look all calm and gorgeous, typing away amidst the chaos. That’s how you blog all the time, right?

      Well, Ann, you certainly changed my world and inspired me. You’ll always have my thanks for that.

    68. Marcy LaKind

      Ann, you are truly an inspiration! Best of luck with this new endeavor, I know you’ll be a huge success. Your writing truly makes me laugh out loud. Much love, Marcy

    71. Anonymous

      Ann, I look forward to seeing all the amazing things you do with LTYM and the rest of your career as stay at home humorist! Maybe someday you’ll go out into the world and be an everywhere-humorist!

    72. jaws

      The most important fact about Ann’s blogging is that she reaches across the generations and includes everyone. LTYM honored every aspect of mothering/motherhood, regardless of age or social status. We need her to Rock On!!

    73. BOSSY

      What an Eggscellent idea. See how Bossy did that? Slipped an Eggs Benedict reference directly in the middle of her LTYM comment?

    74. Anonymous

      LTYM has inspired us all to share our stories of motherhood and feel proud we have a voice now.
      Just think what will happen if you have the chance to share your brilliance with all those viewers. Love D.

    76. Georgia

      Ann,
      You are building community one mother at a time. I often wonder how you do it? To “see” you juggle would be a great inspiration to all.

    77. K A B L O O E Y

      This sounds like an amazing project. (LTYM, that is. Reserving judgement on the reality show, but will definitely watch unless they fail to pick the blogmoms I love, in which case I may boycott and picket, because cutting off my nose to spite my face is so, so satisfying.) I’m sorry to come so late to the party, but based on the heartfelt comments, you created a deeply moving, empowering experience that night in Madison. I hope I get the opportunity to see (or even) take part in a future performance. May it be as ubiquitous as the vagina (monologues).

    78. Anonymous

      Ann, you are so perfect for this, I can’t imagine a better/more exciting next step. And they should be So Lucky to get your smarts and wits on their show. We are cheering for you in Chicago!! xxx moushie

    79. Malady

      Holy Moly, I didn’t realize how productive you are. Dang, I kinda feel like a slacker now. Reading that gave me a little oomph. (I’m just not sure what to do with it yet.)

    80. Bharathi

      Ann — you have found your calling! So glad to hear the LTYM event was a success. Good luck, I’m rooting for you!