Chronology of Change
From the start, we’ve known that to challenge and eventually transform mainstream attitudes and beliefs about oppressive behaviors, we’d have to swim upstream. Creating a world free of violence won’t happen overnight, but we keep moving forward and evolving with unshakeable passion and pride. And a sense of humor, of course.
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1999
Act One
Catharsis Productions’ founders, Dr. Gail Stern and Christian Murphy meet at a one-act play competition.
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2000
Two Shows Collide
Combining their theater experience, advocacy, education and flair for comedy, Stern and Murphy create and produce “The Sensitive Swashbuckler & Other Dating Myths” at Chicago’s Stage Left Theater to rave reviews.
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2000
Founded
Catharsis Productions is formed.
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2001
Birth of Sex Signals
“The Sensitive Swashbuckler …” is renamed “Sex Signals,” which has been seen by 1.2 million people to date on college campuses and military installations.
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2007
ICASA Award
Catharsis Productions wins the Moxie Award for creative efforts to combat sexual violence from the Illinois Coalition Against Sexual Assault.
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2010
RVA + Catharsis Productions
Catharsis Productions receives the Visionary Award from Rape Victim Associates.
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2011
Sex Signals in the Military
Sex Signals is added to the U.S. Army’s Basic Training.
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2015
Speaker of The Year
Sex Signals is awarded “Speaker of the Year” from Campus Activities Magazine.
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2016
Speaker of the Year (encore)
Sex Signals is awarded for second year in a row “Speaker of the Year” from Campus Activities Magazine.
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2018
EVAWI Recipient
Dr. Gail Stern is awarded the EVAWI Media Excellence award for her decades of work changing the cultural dialogue around sexual violence, harassment and gender stereotypes.
