Momma Trauma Stories
Harri James is a filmmaker, storyteller, and 2e education advocate. She recently had a story published in the anthology, “Rings of Kindness.” Combining filmmaking with her passion for gifted and twice exceptional (2e) education, she directed her first documentary, “O’Kelley Legends: 2e Behind the Scenes.” When she’s not writing, Harri speaks at educational conferences and college campuses on parent advocacy. "Momma Trauma Stories" is her return to producing storytelling events and the debut of her "2e Trauma Momma" brand.
Susan Lavelle is from West Monroe, Louisiana. She attended Louisiana State University and is an accomplished equestrian. She has numerous credits as an actor, most recently starring in the feature film, “Dear Mother” and in the upcoming the movie “Transference." Susan has joined Vanilla Palm Films as Director of Acquisitions. A known animal activist, she has had a pitbull rescue and a horse rescue. Susan is a happy person who laughs a lot and spends her off time with her animals, fabulous kids, and dear friends. Susan is performing stories this afternoon that were written by Susan Shearouse. For more information on Susan, visit: www.susanlavelle.com
Pam Levin is an award-winning solo performer, actor, writer, and voiceover artist, who has been performing one-woman shows for the past 25 years.
Pam is an advocate and ally in the LGBTQIA + community. She continues to raise money and awareness by performing her critically acclaimed one-woman show, “Tales of Modern Motherhood, Part 2: Gender and Identity.” Her most recent play, “Astrologically Screwed” was just picked as “Best of Fest” at the Whitefire Annual Solo Fest. For information about her plays, upcoming performances, and booking info, please visit her website at: www.talesofmodernmotherhood.com.
Florence Bracy has worked in the corporate and the non-profit arena as a marketing manager, program manager, grant writer. 22 years ago, while raising her son, Brad, who was diagnosed with autism, her voice transitioned to become his voice, advocating for Brad’s special needs. During this time, she wrote to relieve her frustration of living with autism which became the basis for her book, “Help Me Understand My Child: A Mother’s Truth About Autism,” a moving story of her family’s struggles. Florence speaks to corporate and community audiences about autism, while running her non-profit, Bugle Horn Autism. For more information visit: www.florencebracy.com
Megan Dolan is a Long Beach-based mother/writer/actor/storyteller who has performed at The Moth, the Hollywood Fringe Festival, and as part of "Expressing Motherhood," and whose written work has been published in LA Parent Magazine. Her TEDx talk, "Messy Mommy: A Slob in the Shadows" can be seen on Youtube. Her solo show, "Lemur Mom: One Mother’s Adventure in Autism," played in many So Cal venues including The Lyric Hyperion, The Little Theater at CSUN, and the Player's Theater at CSULB. After a three year hiatus due to the pandemic, "Lemur Mom" is resuming performances in late July. Please visit www.lemurmomshow.com for details.
Susan Shearouse a retired mediator and conflict resolution consultant. Married and married again, now a widow. She has three children— one in Chicago, one in Richmond, and one in her heart— two grandchildren, four stepchildren and their three children. Ten years ago she moved to Richmond to be close to grandchildren, who are now teenagers and losing interest in playing games with grandmothers. She loves gardening, nature, traveling, reading, and putting words on paper. This show is the first time Susan’s words have been shared with an audience.
Gayle Bentley is a mother of 3 neurodiverse sons and has taught music in the public schools for 23 years. She is also a second-year doctoral student at Bridges Graduate School of Cognitive Diversity in Education. This summer, she will begin a new chapter as she begins work as the Academic Director at 2e4me Academy in Newport Beach, a nonprofit learning academy for twice-exceptional students. She has also recently founded The Bentley Center, a place of resources for parents of twice-exceptional children. But her favorite thing is to perform music with her sons! For more information on The Bentley Center, visit: thebentleycenter.com
Jack Bentley is a 17-year-old computer science major who will be graduating from the Honors College at CSULA next week. He will finish his master's degree next year while interning at JPL. Jack spent many years singing in a professional children's choir, and at age 10, performed at Carnegie Hall and in the opera, “Turandot,” with the Pacific Symphony. He has only recently picked up the guitar, and today is the first performance by The Bentley Center Band!
