Meet the Cast 2026!
Musicians - Allison Allen & Marc Harrison
Allison and Marc are the lead (and only) singers of Antler Chandelier, one of the top 10 cover bands based in Wilmette. In 2017, they were assigned to play music for the McKenzie School Variety Show and have been performing together ever since. Previously, Allison played the rodeo and stock show circuit across Texas doing country hits with the Longneck Band, while Marc played guitar in his basement. They are thrilled to be invited to play songs for the production of “Tough Mothers”. For more information on their upcoming shows or to inquire about booking them, please visit: https://antlerchandelierband.com/home.
Vivian Holz
Vivian Holz was born into a big family in Texas and is considered a natural storyteller. She became a registered nurse, loves caring for others and always embraces the chaos. From her early days helping out with younger siblings to working with patients in the hospital, she soon found her real calling when she became a mom. She quickly got involved in the Mother’s Day Out program at her church, the same church she went to as a child, got married in, and sent her kids to. Within a few years, she naturally became the director of the Bethany Christian Preschool and grew the program from two days a week to five. After mothering all of those little ones for 34 years, including her own kids, she’s now enjoying retirement and her four grandchildren.
Aimee Prunier Stoltz
Aimee Prunier Stoltz is a Wilmette mom with 2 teenagers who hails from New Jersey. She worked in corporate travel sales for many years, but found many other callings thanks to her inherited gift for gab. She served as an entertaining tour guide for the Chicago Greeter program for 10 years, taught English to refugee families, and served on her kids’ PTA school boards in many capacities. You may have seen her over the years disguised as the Plastic Bag Monster for D39’s environmental awareness campaign, a role only a few sign up for. In recent years, she proudly served as an "Adult Daughter" to her aging parents and is writing a new chapter of her life now that they are gone. Although Aimee has also been crafting mini-memoirs for over eight years, this is her first time telling a story on stage!
Hilary Ashlund
Hilary Ashlund is an interior designer, artist, and owner of Fini-Table, based on the North Shore. With over 20 years of experience, she has built a reputation for creating beautiful, thoughtfully designed homes that reflect her clients’ personalities and lifestyles. While her professional work is deeply fulfilling, she also considers motherhood and raising her two sons to be the most meaningful and rewarding journey of her life—one filled with laughter, creativity, and love. Although Hilary doesn’t consider herself a writer, she’s learned that anyone can do it, and this is her first time telling a story on stage. You can reach Hilary through either of her websites: Fini-table.com - or - https://scandilanddesign.com.
MK Barley-Jenkins
MK Barley-Jenkins is a lifelong resident of the midwest, most recently residing in Northfield. When not reading or writing short stories, you can find her raising money for Josselyn, a community mental health center, or at the ice rink cheering on her son's hockey team. She has been writing mini memoirs for over eight years, and this is her second performance in a storytelling show.
Alice Salvi
Alice Salvi is a Wilmette mom of four, a clinical trial liaison, and a former nurse. Raised in a big family, she’s still the happiest in the middle of all the action. She loves biking, music, the lake, good food, and time with friends and family. She splits her weekends between cheering at her kids’ regattas and rowing with her women’s masters team. Most recently, Alice started learning the art of improv and comedy - and just did her first stand-up routine at Gilda’s Club, a cancer support community that’s provided free services for over 40 years.
Steph Rogers
Stephanie Rogers is the founder of Story Jam and Story Jam Studio. She produces storytelling and music events, and coaches groups and individuals on sharing personal narratives. Steph’s company offers classes and workshops at many places, including Glenview’s Oil Lamp Theatre and has a storytelling retreat coming up on May 16th with life coach Kathy McCabe right here in Wilmette! She holds degrees in theatre and writing. Steph is also an avid racket sports player, a very bad chess player, and an even worse mah-jong player. You can reach Steph through either of her websites: hipchick.com or storyjamstudio.com.
Ursula Sanchez
Ursula Sanchez was born and raised in Chicago. Ursula has been an entrepreneur for the past thirty-three years, most known for opening the iconic Leopard Lounge back in the 1990s. She also started Bucktown Cleaners, Retail Slut, and Bucktown Bow & Meow pet spa, where she continues to serve as brand ambassador. With a passion for animal rescue, she is a licensed and certified equestrian and canine massage therapist. Ursula is currently working on her first memoir, titled “From Bunny Tails, To Cat Tails, To Dog Tails Too,”; featuring heartfelt, poignant stories from the various chapters of her life. Ursula has performed on many stages throughout her life and has a special story to share for Mother’s Day.