LATE: A LOVE STORY
A woman on a pilgrimage building bridges between people,
exchanging stories and some hard truths she learned too late.
We invite you to join the pilgrimage with Rachelle Zola as she embarks from Chicago, IL to Montgomery, AL, spanning 754 miles. From Chicago's streets to Montgomery's pathways, Rachelle seeks to bridge divides and foster empathy through storytelling—and invites people to join her throughout the journey. Her mission is to confront the pervasive realities of racism and amplify the voices of those who have long been marginalized and silenced.
The Pilgrimage launch started from Theatre Y. During this six-month pilgrimage, Rachelle will perform her one-woman show, “Late: a Love Story” produced with Theatre Y. In this performance, Rachelle vulnerably shares her own story as a 75-year-old white woman discovering racism in America, and which transitions seamlessly into ten friends sharing their stories steeped in the devastating legacy of the past. Through listening, she continues to take in the profound injustices faced by Black Americans.
Driven by love and reverence for those who are reshaping her perspective, Rachelle invites communities along her route to join in conversation, reflection and solidarity. Each step of the pilgrimage is a testament to the resilience and strength of the human spirit—a journey toward healing and understanding.
"This is a love story. I’m sorry I’m so late! Before we get too far in, I think it is important to note that large parts of this evening are scripted. Kind of like a… play. As I will expand on, I see myself as a case study. A study of ignorance and what better way to expose myself and what I’ve learned than in theater where anything can happen. The play is planned, scripted, and how I got here is not. I am changing rapidly, as if layers are being shed."
"This is a wondrous and unexpected love story. A tribute to the many people who have opened their hearts - granting me entry into a world of love, into community, that I didn’t know existed. I can’t imagine my life without sharing this love story, so tonight I’m going to share the process with which not doing this became the scarier option."
- Rachelle Zola
Rachelle Zola first performed LATE: A Love Story at Theatre Y in Chicago on October 21st, 2023, again on March 30th, 2024, and on April 2nd, 2024 she took this show on the road.
Directed by Melissa Lorraine
Written by Rachelle Zola and Emily Bragg
Featuring the Voices of Many
Please contact Rachelle at 720-609-9069 if you’d like to host a performance. She began a walking pilgrimage on April 2nd. She will walk 10-15 miles each day, and perform wherever she finds a host, for whomever will join her. She has 754 miles to walk before she reaches Montgomery, Alabama - her destination.
Testimonials:
Rachelle Zola’s show is powerful, unique, challenging, raw and vulnerable. But those are just words. Watching the show made me feel connection, grief and hope. Rachelle’s journey reveals so much that is true for me and many people I know, particularly white folks confronting race in America. The way she weaves in a number of other stories (including mine!) is respectful and brings a rich tapestry of voices to be witnessed. I recommend bringing Rachelle to your community. You will grow in ways you can’t possibly predict. Andy S.
Late is the kind of art that troubles the water … stirs the soul …and awakens the spirit …I tossed and turned all night. Rachelle’s vulnerable sharing of stories invites her intimate audience to risk the same—cementing community and cocreating a transformative experience. And it’s such a unique and useful DEI approach. Imagine what’s possible if we all expand our circle of concern and listen to and care for each other as lovingly as she does! Susan L.
" A Love Story" is a unique approach to sharing the individual story of a white woman's journey of self-awareness, liberty, and loving human hearts that shared their stories of living with injustice and equities. As we hear about this personal journey the audience also learns how laws contribute to the injustice of the African American communities. It is a must-see if you are interested in learning through the powerful transformational experience of a white woman. Carmen T.
Rachelle's message is riveting, compelling, and transformative. In a world where the media often paints a picture of our nation steeped in disharmony and discord, her message illuminates hope for unity and understanding. While we frequently look to political figures for solutions and sometimes find disappointment even among religious leaders who fail to denounce divisive rhetoric, Rachelle refuses to remain passive. Instead, she courageously steps forward, confronting uncomfortable truths and making personal sacrifices to foster positive change. Acknowledging her personal privilege, she could have chosen to remain silent, yet her love for our country and our people compels her to action. She exemplifies the possibility of a more united United States through uncensored dialogue and unwavering honesty. Lisa W.
“Late: A Love Story” is the deeply moving chronicle of Rachelle Zola’s journey-in-progress. If the saying is true, that the work of the prophet is to comfort the troubled and trouble the comfortable, hers is a prophet’s journey. On a mission to deepen her understanding of the lived experience of being Black in America, she meets people where they are, and offers a simple invitation: “tell me your story.” And then she listens – really listens – with intention, love, and humility. In “Late”, she invites us to open our ears and hearts to hear these powerful stories too, and dare to be changed as she has been changed. Mary S.
I first met Rachelle through my cousin. Colette. She invited me to Rachelle’s Hunger Strike Kick-off. Rachelle committed to fasting on liquids for 40 days to support H.R. 40, which is the Commission to Study and Develop Reparation Proposals for African Americans.
My first thought was, “Who is this Caucasian woman and why is she doing this?” My second thought: “How can ONE person make a difference?”
The more I watch and listen to Rachelle, I’m drawn towards her. Although I initially questioned the hunger strike, I was in complete disbelief when I heard about her 754 mile pilgrimage to Montgomery, AL.
Again, my thoughts were: Why? How? Is it safe? Once again, I started to listen more intently to her story. Rachelle wants to make a difference. She wants to DO something. Late: A Love Story is an EXPERIENCE! It’s about one woman’s journey to change the mindsets of those in her ethnic group by “penetrating their unchallenged white bubbles”. Rachelle wants to bring awareness to the reality of being black in America.
We are ALL human beings. Rachelle speaks this in her love story. She says, “We all want the same things: to be loved, to be seen, to be heard, to be held.”
Her silent scream during the experience was extremely powerful!
Rachelle is definitely committed to “shedding light on collective ignorance” in order to bring about change in our world.
Late: A Love Story inspires and motivates ME to do more! Teri S.
Late: Rachelle Zola, perhaps late, but is always committed! A Love Story… Rachella Zola is not only dedicated but always exudes love and empathy. Rachelle has always fought for those who needed a voice. First advocating for her brother Michael, who has cognitive disabilities; at the age of 59, she joined the Peace Corps in Jordan in the Special Ed sector; in 2010, Rachelle moved to Mexico and worked with a child who had a brain injury; and after her divorce, she moved to Ecuador and worked with children from infancy to the age of 18 in a children's home. Late: A Love Story began here in Chicago, where she had a calling to come and work with the black and brown community. At the age of 70, she went on a hunger strike to bring awareness to HR 40; now, at the age of 75, Rachelle is taking a 754-mile pilgrimage to dialogue with people who look like her, white and privileged, about racism and gather stories from people who look like me – the black and brown community. Rachelle is unselfishly willing to do this, not only investing her time and body but also her money to fund these projects initially. Maybe donations will assist her with her latest project, but for now, that is not what is important to her. Since she landed in Chicago, she has amazed and embraced the black community. Rachelle continuously educates not only people who look like her but also people who look like me. Late: A Love Story is a fascinating one-woman play that captivates her audience with storytelling. She discusses the complexities of waking up daily and preparing to go out into the world as a person of color. Through her powerful performance, Rachelle Zola brings to life a compelling narrative that delves deep into the emotional landscape of love, loss, racism, and resilience. She navigates through the complexities of our country's history of hatred, biases, and torture of the black community, demonstrating the depth of the strengths this community has developed. Her performance resonates with her audiences at every level, touching their hearts and souls and providing them space to learn, understand, and heal. Late: A Love Story is a must-see production that helps us start on the journey of understanding and acceptance!! Late, yes, but Rachelle has arrived and will never give up…A Love Story…this unique and intimate one-woman show is a thought-provoking, mesmerizing, and, yes, sometimes funny, remarkable experience that captivates her audience!!! Colette Marie D-D
Rachelle Zola opens her heart as she explores the lessons she‘s learned from life. Her honesty lead me to reflect on the experiences I’ve had and how -- for better or worse — they’ve shaped the person I am today. Rachelle offers a heartfelt and revealing experience.” Laurie S.
In Late: A Love Story, community activist Rachelle Zola, takes us on a life journey from childhood through adolescence and into adulthood where, along the way, she realizes there is something/someone missing in her life that begs pursuit and demands greater purpose in her life. As she recounts her journey, a leap of faith into the community of North Lawndale, she begins to understand that, in order to feel complete, she must fill an empty space in her, crossing the great American barrier of racial discrimination and white privilege, and humbly inviting deep encounters with others, Black and white, who will challenge and encourage her to use her unique gifts and passion to educate and compassionately challenge others to realize that it is never too late to learn new ways to love... and be loved... for the transformation of our world. Larry D.
This is an incredibly powerful and vulnerable story. Rachelle shares part of her soul and there are opportunities for the audience to share theirs as well. As a white-identitfying person I was grateful and humbled to see a peek into my black sisters and brothers experiences. Rachelle Zola continues to show up tirelessly and creatively for racial and social justice by listening and weaving stories. Please show up and share with others to keep the love story alive. Rachel Z.
Rachelle's bravery in sharing her story and her mission to bring her show to potentially resistant spaces is truly inspiring. Late: A Love Story represents Rachelle's genuine effort to understand the cultural struggles that many of us face because of systemic racism, societal structures and false narratives created by fear and hate. It reflects her earnest endeavor to create positive change with important but sometimes uncomfortable conversations. Rachelle approaches spaces with authentic curiosity and intentionality, translating her learnings into meaningful actions.
Hearing the different voices from individuals she encountered on her journey was incredibly impactful. These voices and photos that she shared painted a vivid picture of Rachelle's realization that these conversations needed a broader reach. The experience offered by her show is deeply appreciated, showcasing the power of vulnerability, curiosity, relationship building and a commitment to fostering understanding among different communities. I am so grateful I was able to be a part of this experience. Josh E.
At first glance, “Late: A Love Story” is a profoundly captivating and moving one-woman play that features Rachelle Zola, a remarkable white woman who sets out to confront the evils of racism in our society. The story allows the audience a glimpse of the inner landscape of her personal life and follows her journey of self-awareness, which has brought her to a recognition and understanding of the trials and tribulations, the pain and suffering, and the gross injustices to Black people in this country. It is indeed a captivating and beautiful performance that highlights Rachelle’s exceptional interpersonal and communication skills. But the real significance of this event, for it is more than a theatrical performance, is the challenge to her white audiences to identify with something larger than themselves. It is a moral and inspirational call to view the plight of Black people from a human perspective. It is what news outlets have begun to call a “pilgrimage against racism”, which attempts to bridge the gap between the races. Rachelle is able to imagine a world free of racism. She uses intimate personal stories and vignettes to encourage the type of self-reflection that she has experienced. It is impossible not to appreciate the courage, dedication, effort, and vision that she has brought to this project. Rachelle is a risk taker who cares passionately and is willing to act on that passion. If you want to witness a life changing event: If you want to look beyond the present moment to frame a more meaningful future: If you want to be challenged and move beyond the minimum to pursue higher goals and moral principals: Then indeed, this is a performance that you cannot afford to miss! W. Clarke D.
How are we called to love each other in a racial climate that sometimes feels full of hate and harm? Love can feel naïve and lacking in any real power, but Rachelle shows us just the opposite. This honest love story is beautiful and powerful, touching, and funny. It is a tutorial for how to let go of fear and make a real difference in your own life and the lives of those around you. The opposite of love is not hatred, but indifference. Experience a story that rejects indifference, that chooses a path of love and listening, and opens a whole new world of loving transformation for each of us. John B.
Late: A Love Story is a one-woman performance that shows the courage of Rachelle Zola to step beyond personal trauma and her white privilege upbringing to reach out to an array of people with African heritage. The second half is especially inspiring for those of us who want to heal a broken world. Mary H.
