How ECPA and Freedom Sings turned trauma into art

By Laura Michaud and Melissa G. Wilson

The Encore Center for Performing Arts (ECPA) is no stranger to bringing powerhouse talent to DuPage County. From Hamilton’s Miguel Cervantes to rock icon Cathy Richardson, they know how to draw a crowd. But their recent collaboration with Nashville’s Freedom Sings wasn’t just another show on the marquee. It was the most intimate, emotionally charged night the community has seen yet.

The Healing Power of a Six-String

Freedom Sings operates on a beautifully profound premise: when words fail, music speaks. For veterans battling Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and emotional distress, traditional therapy sometimes hits a wall. Songwriting therapy cracks that wall wide open. By pairing veterans with elite musical talent, the organization has helped birth over 600 songs, transforming painful, unspeakable memories into anthems of resilience.

For this exclusive event, ECPA brought award-winning Nashville songwriters to town to match minds and hearts with local veterans.

Turning Stories into Song

The magic happened in a whirlwind 10-hour window:

• The Session: The morning began with intense, one-on-one sessions orchestrated by Co-Chairs Laura Michaud and Craig Wilson. Songwriters sat with veterans, listening to stories often too painful to repeat to loved ones and wrote original songs to be performed that very evening.

• The Stage: At 7:00 pm, those raw narratives debuted live as original songs. The songwriters took the stage to perform these custom tracks, dedicating each piece directly to its veteran co-creator. 

The atmosphere in the room was nothing short of electric. Armed with catchy melodies and cutting, honest lyrics, the music struck an immediate chord. The performance didn’t just entertain; it connected, leaving the audience in tears and paving the way for a night of heartwarming, deeply personal conversations between
the patrons, artists, and veterans.

The veterans themselves spoke to the impact of the experience.

Christine Seagrave, a Desert Storm Army veteran, recounted, “Knowing that supporters of the arts would put together such an event touched me deeply. I will never forget the experience. It was truly healing. I can’t thank ECPA enough for this opportunity”. 

Staci Boyer, a Navy Hospital Corpsman in the Persian War, said it best: “Today for me was a very healing moment. I have struggled with what this song provided. This experience was unbelievable as it allowed me to feel and I needed to. This ECPA Project is remarkable in how it connects with men, women, different ages, different situations – where we’re all trying to heal.”

A Vision for the Western Suburbs

While the evening was an undeniable emotional triumph, it also shone a spotlight on a larger mission. Laura emphasized the importance of ECPA securing its own permanent theater. Having a dedicated home would enable the organization to continue expanding the arts and to host these unique, therapeutic, and compelling performances across Chicago’s western suburbs.

To close out the evening, ECPA’s president, Mark George, asked the crowd if they wanted to see the show return next year. The response was a room-shaking, unanimous “Yes!”

Laura Michaud

Melissa G. Wilson

About the authors:
Laura Michaud is a founding member of the Encore Center for Performing Arts and Stage 773.
Melissa G. Wilson is a performing arts enthusiast, author, and renowned networker.
For more information, visit EncoreCenterforPerformingArts.org