ill. is experienced, written and performed by Rebecca Wilson. Wilson's solo, multi-tonal show combines her unparalleled wit, burdensome intellect, hard-hitting punchlines, and all consuming empathy to tell the tales of caregiving for her mother (currently battling ovarian cancer for the third time since her original diagnosis in 2019), family dynamics of taking care of both her mother and father during this dark time, her issues with mental health and substances, unhealthy romantic relationships, and finding her happiness again through a stint at a Boston psych ward and a Georgia rehab by learning how to practice stoicism and finally learning to let things go and find lasting peace, presence and purpose.
Wilson's solo-show combines honesty and vulnerability with punchlines. She is a stand-up comedian as well as an actor, so she is able to perform her experience and words with energy, realism, groundedness and heart. It's Wilson's hope that this show will help the audience approach people who are going through a mentally suffocating time with curiosity as opposed to contempt.
ill. has made audiences roar with laughter as well as feel deeply to the point of free-flowing tears.
“Wilson is a stand-up comic, so her style of presentation inevitably includes standard features such as the occasional interaction with the audience. But ill. is distinguished from the norm by high levels of vulnerability and sincerity. ill. is an intense and deeply personal look at the consequences of caring too deeply. There is eccentric, observational humour but also a sense of relief, even salvation, at having coped with an extreme situation” - British Theatre Guide
Its 2026 Atlanta Fringe Festival debut elicited the following audience responses:
"Absolutely brilliant, heart wrenching, and so so funny!"
"This show will save lives"
"So powerful, so beautiful, so funny and so heart breaking"
"Recovery, life and femininity at its best"
2321 Emerald St
General Admission: $17
PWYC Options
2321 Emerald St
General Admission: $17
PWYC Options
Rebecca Wilson is a stand up comic, actor and writer born and raised in Atlanta, GA with years spent living in Minneapolis, MN and Denver, CO that have shaped her creativity and provided her with a holistic view of the country. Her southern charm mixed with her dry, quick wit creates an engaging act focusing on her cosmic punishment of being attracted to men, family dynamics, mental health and the absurdities within human relationships. Rebecca’s style of comedy is honesty and vulnerability matched with hard-hitting punchlines.
Rebecca has opened for Pete Holmes, Hari Kondabolu, Pauly Shore and Lisa Ann Walter for sold out crowds. She is a regular at Helium Comedy Club Atlanta & Laughing Skull Lounge and has taken her sweet, yet warped world view to the following comedy festivals: Madison Comedy Week 2022-2024, Manitou Comedy Festival 2023-2024 and the 2025 Last Word Comedy Festival. Rebecca debuted her one-person show, ill., at the 2026 Atlanta Fringe Festival that elicited roars of laughter from the audiences as well as free-flowing tears.
Contact the Fringe Festival Box Office for up to date accessibility information.
Adult Language
trigger warnings: substance abuse, trauma, mental illness, psych ward, rehab
This event does not require masks to be worn