Calling All Lesbian Funny Ladies Over 50

Iris Golden, a 75-year-old lesbian in Lakeview, Ill., wants to create a comedic space for funny, lady-loving ladies over 50 in the Chicago improv scene. That's why she's holding auditions for the newly formed improv troupe "Do Not Resuscitate."

"I always thought once you hit 50, 'do not resuscitate' sounds pretty good," Golden joked with DNAInfo Chicago. Golden was a TV comedy writer in the 1970s, but struggled to break through the male-dominated glass ceiling. 

Now, Golden has teamed up with Chicago's Center on Halstead to create a comedy troupe that will tackle contemporary women's issues and current events from a shared generational perspective of lesbians over 50. The Center hopes DNR will serve as a social and bonding activity for older lesbians in the area, who tend to experience isolation earlier than gay men. Eventually, Golden hopes DNR will perform regularly in the Center's 160-seat theater, debuting a new show every three months.

"It may seem unusual," said Golden. "But I think it's just more comfortable for people to share along the same lines and understand where we're all coming from." 

Potential sketches will mine current headlines, and are all-but-certain to include a few "legitimate rape" jabs, and a take on sperm banks, "where you can watch your deposit grow up," according to Golden. 

Auditions take place at the Center on December 19 and 20 from 6-8 p.m., and January 5 and 6 from 2-4 p.m. Interested lesbian comedy writers over the age of 50 should email a headshot, resume and brief bio to Iris Golden at [email protected], and Maura Ross at [email protected].

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