Serendipitous: Where Standup Comedy Meets Vulnerable Storytelling

Come join us for a night of laughter and heartfelt stories to support Self-Reclaimed and Cloud & Bunny Short Film’s fundraiser event in honor of Sexual Assault Awareness Month.

This is a new kind of comedy show where 5 hilarious comedians will take the stage to perform a 5-minute standup set followed by a vulnerable story about a serendipitous encounter.

You will laugh, you will cry, and you will heal together in this community-driven event.

Following the show will be a script reading of Cloud & Bunny, a short film inspired by true events from a real friendship that was cultivated at Ravenswood, a real-life baby boutique, Cloud & Bunny.

Every ticket to this show raises funds for Self-Reclaimed and Cloud & Bunny Short Film and includes raffle tickets to win incredible prizes, TBA on social media!

Ticket options:

Standard rate: $25 includes 3 raffle tickets

Premium rate: $40 includes 10 raffle tickets

Self-Reclaimed & Cloud & Bunny Short Film have combined forces to empower survivors of SA/DV. We believe healing happens in community and creating safe spaces where people can authentically express themselves to the world. Serendipitous, the theme of the show, is about encountering a glimmer of hope, where we can take off our masks, open our hearts, and let in light fueled by the power of compassionate human connection.

Meet The Performers:

Sophia Smarandescu, Serendipitous Co-Host & Performer

Sophia Smarandescu AKA “Romanian Sensation” is a multi-millionaire Chicago-based comic. She has opened for Jackie Fabulous, Tony Clifton, and even got blocked on Twitter by Chris D’Elia. She’s also performed at comedy festivals around the country, like Beast Village Comedy Festival and Blue Whale Comedy Festival. She is also co-starring in her first short film, Cloud & Bunny, playing Ana, a quirky Bosnian woman who prioritizes joy and laughter over life's absurdities. IG @romaniansecretpolice

Gabriela Starr Rosete, Serendipitous Co-Host & Co-CEO of Self-Reclaimed

Gabriela Starr (she/they) is a Chicago-based mama of four, the Co-CEO of Self-Reclaimed, and the founder of KAI-NIX and creator of Parent Alchemy. With over 15 years of experience expressive arts facilitator, and trauma-informed yoga instructor. With deep roots in community healing, Gabi creates transformative spaces that center authenticity, embodiment, and cultural connection. Her work is grounded in joy, justice, and the power of collective care—making her the heartful co-host of Serendipitous.

Elaine Golden

Elaine Golden is a stand-up comedian and writer based in Chicago. Elaine performs around the country and notable Chicago venues, including the Laugh Factory, Second City, and the Lincoln Lodge. Elaine created the comedy musical Rat City, which the Chicago Reader praised as “an endearingly silly high-energy show.” In 2024, Lifeline Theatre selected Elaine’s first solo show, Golden Girls: Intergenerational House Party, for the Fillet of Solo Festival. IG @thegoldenelaine

Sofia Javed

Sofia Javed is a Chicago-based comedian and writer. Her humor is inspired by her life as a brown woman in America, her love of languages, and her former career as a cubicle bureaucrat. Sofia has been a featured performer at comedy festivals across the country, and she co-hosts Dance of Joy: a Perfect Strangers Rewatch Podcast. She enjoys steak. Check her out at www.sofiajaved.com.
IG sofjaved

Cynthia Levin

Chicago native Cynthia Levin began her comedy career at age 15, studying at Players Workshop of The Second City. After moving to LA, she began doing stand-up becoming a

regular at The Comedy Store and the Improv. Subsequently, Cynthia’s comedy career has taken her around the globe. Some TV credits include: Comedy Central, ABC and B.E.T.

Cynthia has appeared in many films as well as both scripted and unscripted TV series, including FX Network’s “Legion”, the “The Mortician’s Daughter”. She recently starred in and co-wrote the award winning film, The Relentless Patience of Priscilla Cranberry.
IG @cynthialevin7

Mary Kethya Khuon

Cambodian American, Mary Kethya Khuon is a former NYC fashion designer turned writer, comedian, and actor now based in Chicago. She has performed at the Laugh Factory, Second City, and the Lincoln Lodge and is now writing, directing, and starring in her first dramedy short film, Cloud & Bunny, playing Lucie, a Cambodian American woman who suffers a PTSD episode and makes a desperate prayer to her ancestors for help. When she’s not making people laugh, she’s helping people heal as a somatic coach, Keynote Speaker for universities, and founder of @sincerelymissmary. IG @marykethyakhuon

We're excited to do a table reading of Cloud & Bunny with the actors from the soon-to-be short film! Here's a quick summary of the story.

When Lucie, a repressed 30-year-old Cambodian American woman, suffers another PTSD episode filled with violent childhood memories and suicidal ideations, she makes a desperate prayer to her late grandfather, leading her to an unexpected friendship with someone who saves her life.

Writer & director Mary Kethya Khuon and producer Porsha Shanese are excited to produce Cloud & Bunny Short Film and share this story with the world. They have worked hard the past year building a crew, raising funds, and getting ready to shoot this film in anticipation of a film festival run in 2026. They recently reached the green light for their fundraiser and are hoping to complete their goal with this show! Learn more here.
About Mary Kethya Khuon, Writer & Director of Cloud & Bunny
Mary is a comedian, actor, and writer making her directorial debut in her first short film, Cloud & Bunny. Read the rest of her bio under performers.

About Porsha Shanese, Producer of Cloud & Bunny
Porsha Shanese's journey into the entertainment world blends a passion for storytelling with diverse experience across multiple platforms. Her roots in Theatre and Reality TV have allowed her to develop a unique perspective on both performance and production. Born and raised in Chicago, Porsha's journey took a pivotal turn when she moved to Atlanta, where her professional path in the entertainment industry truly began to flourish. Beyond her work, she can be found in self-care mode to restore and replenish after long days on set.

About Self-Reclaimed:
Self-Reclaimed is a survivor-led nonprofit reclaiming healing, safety, and power for survivors of sexual trauma and their communities. Through expressive arts, education, and community-rooted programming, Self-Reclaimed creates brave spaces for collective healing and transformation. Based in Evanston and serving the greater Chicagoland area, Self-Reclaimed is where joy and justice meet.

Meet the founder:

Vanessa Rae De Leon, Founder & Co-CEO

Vanessa Rae De Leon (she/her) is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor, Board-Certified Dance/Movement Therapist, and the visionary Founder of Self-Reclaimed. With a background in expressive arts therapy, trauma healing, and social justice, Vanessa is passionate about creating liberatory spaces for survivors to reclaim their power and joy. Her work bridges clinical expertise and community care, blending movement, storytelling, and embodied healing into every offering. She’s thrilled to co-host Serendipitous as a celebration of laughter, resilience, and community.

Info: 5 comics will perform a 5-minute stand-up set and will be brought back to the stage to share a vulnerable story following the theme of Serendipitous, an unexpected experience that lead to something greater. Followed by a script reading of Cloud & Bunny Short Film!

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

Uptown Taproom, 1265 West Wilson Avenue, Chicago, United States