Tue Feb 02 2021

It was a pleasure catching up with Kathy Allan, the mother of actor and playwright, Will Allan! Will and Beth became friends in high school through Speech and Debate (Humorous Interpretation) and have kept in touch ever since. Kathy was a legal secretary for 10 years before switching gears to education. She earned her teaching certificate and taught social studies along with working as a theatre coach when Will was young. Kathy directed Will’s first role in middle school and has been encouraging of his journey as an actor ever since; she’s never missed a performance from Bye Bye Birdie at Oakwood High School to The History Boys at TimeLine Theatre in Chicago. Now retired from teaching, Kathy volunteers at RefugeeOne in Chicago, a non-profit agency that creates opportunity for refugees fleeing war, terror, and persecution. Kathy manages the Sewing Lab and has been active in distributing masks made by refugees. Visit RefugeeOne.org to purchase a mask.