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The Stage; Following our Wildest Dreams!

This is a story featuring the Yolo YoYo’s (ages 7-12) and their cause - Bring live entertainment back to the lonely, historic stage, which hadn’t been performed upon for a very time.

The beautiful Stage Fairy suggests that the beloved Yolo Yoyo's possess the potent powers and uplifting ability to transform into Super-Positive Super-Heroes. Then they may be able to outwit and conquer the evil Stage Troll (The gatekeeper who is keeping everyone and everything away from the stage) and advance their cause.

She said, “We had to take a stance. For without dance and romance, humankind doesn’t stand a chance.”

Can the Yolo Yoyo's girls transform into Super-Positive Super-Heroes - Confront and defeat the wicked old troll, sending him back into his hole? And then accomplish an epic performance on the stage?

Will all performers be able perform, because this way is certainly not the norm....
Audiences all-over are hungry to be awed, they're so bored and need to applaud...

- Filmed at the Historic Woodland Opera House (Woodland, CA), March 12, 2021.
- written/directed by Chris Hennessy
- Aired July 1, 2021

  • Chris Hennessy
    Director
    Creator Producer Yolo YoYo's, awarded 'Best new TV series 2019, Sacramento channel 18. Yuba Sutter Arts & Culture 2021 Film Festival, Best Film, 'Yuba Twenty-Twenty,' professional category
  • Chris Hennessy
    Writer
    Touched by Hannah
  • Hannah Hennessy
    Key Cast
    "Yolo YoYo's member"
    Yolo YoYo's TV show - 2 full seasons
  • Amelia Robinson-Burmester
    Key Cast
    "The Stage Fairy "
    Elly and Chesley award-winner (Newsies) and Woodland Opera House most Outstanding Youth Performer 2020
  • Colin Robinson-Burmester
    Key Cast
    "The Stage Troll"
    Chesley award-winner Chitty Chitty Bang Bang - Historic Woodland Opera House
  • Macey Davison
    Key Cast
    "Yolo YoYo's member"
    Yolo YoYo's TV show - 2 full seasons
  • Ella Townsend
    Key Cast
    "Yolo YoYo's member"
    Yolo YoYo's TV show - 2 full seasons
  • Josie Gibbs
    Key Cast
    "Yolo YoYo's member"
    Yolo YoYo's TV show - 2 full seasons
  • Allison Hulbert
    Key Cast
    "Yolo YoYo's member"
    Yolo YoYo's TV show - 2 full seasons
  • Paige Hulbert
    Key Cast
    "Yolo YoYo's member"
    Yolo YoYo's TV show - 2 full seasons
  • Chris Hennessy
    Producer
    Creator Producer Yolo YoYo's, awarded 'Best new TV series 2019, Sacramento channel 18. Yuba Sutter Arts & Culture 2021 Film Festival, Best Film, 'Yuba Twenty-Twenty,' professional category
  • Project Type:
    Short, Television
  • Runtime:
    10 minutes 19 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    June 25, 2021
  • Production Budget:
    1,000 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    United States
  • Country of Filming:
    United States
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    digital
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
  • The WAVE Awards
    San Jose
    United States
    April 1, 2022
    The WAVE Awards
    Award Winner, Best Narrative episode
Director Biography - Chris Hennessy

Chris Hennessy has been living and working in Northern CA as an independent filmmaker, TV Producer, author, and motivational speaker since 1990. He moved his family to Woodland in early 2018.

Hennessy has been busy producing his award-winning cable TV Show, Yolo YoYo’s, writing his upcoming memoir book, ‘Touched by Hannah,’ and working on various film projects which he writes, produces and directs.

“I created Yolo YoYo’s to spend time with my daughter Hannah (now 13), and provide an enriching experience for her and friends. The vibe that reverberates throughout the car when we head out to film is priceless.”

"I was able to retire from corporate and social filmmaking and pursue my dreams. Looking back, working my butt off on those 1500+ professional gigs made me the producer/director I am today."

Yolo YoYo’s season #1 was awarded, ‘Best New TV Series 2019,’ Sacramento Channel 17 & 18. The 12 episodes reached an audience of more than 125,000 on Faceboook.

Yolo YoYo’s season 2 finale episode, ‘The Stage; Following our Wildest Dreams!’ won, 'Best Narrative Episode 2022 West Coast,’ at the 2022 ACM Western Region WAVE Cable TV Awards Ceremony.

“Walking the red carpet with Hannah, winning and accepting that award was priceless.”

Yolo YoYo’s premier episode season 2 (Feb 2021), 'Miracles on College St.' Daddy & Daughter Tread on Deathbeds - a short documentary film - was West Coast runner-up finalist at Western Region WAVE.

‘Miracles,’ a promotional/trailer film for Chris’ 'Touched by Hannah,’ also took a 'Film Heals' award at the 2022 Manhattan Film Festival, New York City. Heals is awarded to filmmakers who use the power of film to promote peace, humanity and inspiration.

Miracles was also a top-five finalist documentary at Manhattan.

‘Touched by Hannah’ Is a true story about a man with cancer (Hennesssy). His 1 lb. newborn Hannah. And their fight for life. Their story has already been featured on NBC TV, KGO-810 San Francisco, and is slated for release late 2023.

Hennessy’s music video, Yuba Twenty-Twenty, was awarded 'Best Film' at the 2021 Yuba City arts & culture Film Festival.

“By July 2020 the pandemic, riots, politics, hate and disgust on social media all had me feeling pretty down in the dumps.”

"I fell in love with the 45 minute drive through infinity farms and orchards, surrounded by their scenery of brilliant mid-summer greenery, to a small independent coffee shop in Yuba City."

"Feeling that I was away from the tumultuous times - sipping great coffee and writing my book brought me much joy and comfort."

"Yuba Twenty-Twenty was conceived and created in honor of those medicinal get-aways."

Hennessy’s ‘Comedy Club Anniversary Roast’ was a top-five finalist, 'Best Film," at the 2022 Houston Comedy Film Festival.

“Performing totally ad lib comedy - making folks laugh, whether on or off set - it’s not only I want to do. I have to do it!”

Hundreds of the client films Chris produced professionally (Google, Folsom State Prison, eBay, Stanford, Office Max and The American Cancer Society, etc.) include his distinctive comedy schtick.

“After much grinding, taking my time and creating those recent passion projects, I'm thoroughly enjoying this thrilling, successful aftermath. It feels like I’ve got four songs in the top 10."

“Instead of sitting around worrying, I’m busy achieving my potential and having a blast.” (Chris is currently battling prostate cancer in the lungs.)

Hennessy donates his time to usher for plays at the Historic Woodland Opera House, a 6 block walk from his house.

He also serves on the board of directors at California Writers Club, Sacramento.

In the near future Chris hopes to finish writing 'Touched By Hannah,' and get it published.

"I'm going to begin writing a Yolo YoYo’s feature film for the likes of Netflix/Amazon, etc. If I can get proper funding, I have full confidence I can pull-off producing/directing something that will command their attention."

Chris says he's looking forward to spending time with Hannah this summer (2022). He'll be hosting pool parties for her and friends. Hannah will be performing on stage at the Historic Woodland Opera House.

Hennessy is also working on an ad lib comedy film and a music video starring Hannah and a Yolo YoYo's friend. "Working on such projects - with no client to deal with - no time pressures - allows me freedom to take my time and make the best film.”

Add Director Biography
Director Statement

This project was classic producer with a small budget - But with a clear vision and a big dream. It took a couple hundred hours of challenging, fun, in-the-zone, grinding tediously in my own delightfully euphoric creative place.

I wrote the script, scouted locations, secured talent, arranged publicity, filmed with two cameras and edited for 'The Stage' Following our Wildest Dreams. Pheewph!

After the editing wrapped my mind asked, over and over, "How-in-the-heck-did-you-pull-this-off!" Well, the incredible desire and continuous adrenaline rush of making it happen provided all the energy I needed.

I'm so proud of the girls for their all-around patience, professionalism, enthusiasm and talents. We've enjoyed so many life-enriching experiences together - and this film ranks as one of the best.

Thank you so much to the Historic Woodland Opera House. (built 1895) They made this impossible-to-produce-film, possible.
Without their support and belief in what we wanted to accomplish, 'The Stage' Following our Wildest Dreams, would not have been achieved.

I firmly believe our two full seasons (23 episodes) - and having this season #2 ending episode under our belts will thrust my beloved Yolo YoYo's into their next hemisphere of EpicNess 💪🍕
-Chris Hennessy - creator/producer/director/writer