"Shimmer" Reading, Signing, & Discussion with Author Alexandra Hewett

4717 Harford Road,Baltimore MD 21214

15 November, 2022

Description

Alexandra Hewett grew up in the shadow of her mother’s struggle with schizophrenia, balanced by the warmth and security of her father's love. Artistic creation, therapy, humor, and effervescent optimism were her secret weapons and her lifelines as she navigated anxiety, grief, and loss. Shimmer is the story of her inspiring journey from girlhood to womanhood, from sorrow to joy. Join us at Snug Books on Tuesday, November 15th for an evening of music, mental health, and memories. Singer-songwriter Melissa Sharlat will open and close Alexandra’s reading and thoughtful discussion of Shimmer, facilitated by NAMI Metro Baltimore representative Sarah Arndt. *** Alexandra Hewett is an actor, storyteller, writer, producer, teaching artist, mother, and yogi. She is a lecturer in the Johns Hopkins University Odyssey program where she teaches Finding the Funny: Comedy Writing and Performance. She produces the storytelling show Mortified in DC and Baltimore. She teaches theatre to Veterans at Chesapeake Shakespeare Company. She wrote and performed her one-woman show Mother Therapy at MCS Theatre in NYC. She has performed at The Manhattan Rep Theatre, DC Fringe Festival, the Kennedy Center, the Baltimore Improv Group, the Magnet Theater in NYC, and the Strand Theater in Baltimore. She has an MS in Counseling Psychology from Loyola University Maryland and an MFA in Creative Writing & Publishing Arts from the University of Baltimore. Her essays have been published by Eight Stone Press, Baltimore Fishbowl, and Welter. Shimmer is her first book. Her website is: https://alexandrahewett.com Melissa Ultra Sharlat is a career non-profitista, singer, songwriter, self-taught drummer, reverend and enthusiastic Baltimore arts patron and ambassador. She has performed with numerous bands at Artscape, the Baltimore Museum of Art, The Lyric Performing Arts Center, Center Stage, The Kennedy Center, with Fluid Movement and on many other notable stages across the country. A founding member of the highly acclaimed comedy/improvisation troupe The Flying Tongues, Melissa toured the country with them before returning to Baltimore City, her beloved home and creative playground for nearly 40 years. NAMI (the National Alliance on Mental Illness) Metropolitan Baltimore improves the lives of individuals living with mental health conditions, their families, and communities through education, support, and advocacy. For 35 years, NAMI Metropolitan Baltimore has worked with dedicated grassroots leaders to raise awareness and provide essential education, advocacy, and support group programs for people living with mental illness and their loved ones. We envision a world where all people affected by mental illness live healthy, fulfilling lives supported by a community that cares.