2018 Festival Spotlight: Feminism in the Fringe
In the era of #MeToo and the pink hat brigade, it’s no surprise that feminism and the celebration of women and their stories is a recurring theme of the shows in this year’s Festival. These works use different performance forms to reflect on women, feminism, and the modern world.
Animation Nation
The Women’s Film Festival
The Women’s Film Festival presents an amazing collection of animated films by, for, or about women. Come get a taste of award-winning short films from local and international artists along with a preview of our nine-day festival in March! Bring an open mind with a dusting of imagination!
More info and tickets here
The F Word
Radiant Bloom Productions
What does feminism mean now? Five women from different backgrounds use music to experience the conviction of the movement for women’s rights. Hear the stories of women who fought for equality, join in the songs they sang. Immerse yourself in the ongoing discussions about who gets a place in this movement.
More info and tickets here
For Colored Girls who have considered suicide when the rainbow is enuf
Kaleidoscope Cultural Arts Collective
For Colored Girls who have considered suicide when the rainbow is enuf, Ntozake Shange’s first work, tells the stories of seven women who have suffered oppression in a racist and sexist society. The choreopoem is an innovative combination of poetry, drama, music, and dance.
More info and tickets here
In the Forest
Tangle Movement Arts
Every path tells a story. Tangle’s acrobats and 360-degree sculptural set surround you in an immersive circus-theater show where threads guide travelers into new worlds. Choose your view and explore a landscape of light and shade, trapeze and aerial silks, and twisting tales for an experience that changes at each turn.
More info and tickets here
More Than Tracy Turnblad
Abby Morris / Coffee Cup Cabaret at the University of the Arts
Abby Morris details her experiences as a plus-size performer while dissecting cultural stereotypes about fat people. You’ll laugh! You’ll cry! You’ll go on angry feminist tirades! This piece explores an issue of representation that often goes unspoken, but is deeply felt by those who (literally) don’t fit the ideal.
More info and tickets here
My Year Without A Man
Katherine Nigh aka Titsy Rose
My Year Without A Man is a podcast of interviews with womxn in theater and performance about what it is like to be a womxn (anyone who self-identifies as such) in those fields. It also shares the experiences of watching plays exclusively written by womxn for one year. Interviewees cover all areas of performance-making!
More info and tickets here
No, We Won’t Shut Up!
Bady Works
There’s a lot wrong in our world today and these women have something to say. Don’t try to stop them, because their time is NOW! Considering issues ranging from white privilege to wage theft to racism to gentrification to sexual harassment to police violence, they tell their personal and ultimately inspiring stories.
More info and tickets here
Ridiculous
Jennifer Blaine
Escape into the absurd humor of Jennifer Blaine as she wrestles the ridiculous—from motherhood to the patriarchy to bestiality. Blaine, “whose comic genius is like Lily Tomlin and Tracey Ullman” (Philadelphia Daily News), invites us to honor ourselves despite a world of interruption and disruption. We can start somewhere, begin to protest, but remember to celebrate.
More info and tickets here
Voided
Pratima Agrawal
What is it to be an unconventional Indian woman trying to exist in a marginalizing world? Voided is a solo performance inspired by Pratima’s own experiences and the true story of Kalpana Chawla (the first Indian female astronaut in space and one of the crew members who died in the 2003 Columbia accident). It’s the exploration of culture, status quo, and representation that dares to color outside the lines.
More info and tickets here
White Feminist
Lee Minora
Are you one of the good ones? Did you go to a Women’s March? Have you called your senator? Would you boycott Becky? Someone’s gonna. Becky’s filming this episode live and you’re so #blessed to be in her studio audience. Or are you? Gender and privilege collide in this scathing comedy that’ll grab you by the pussy hat.
More info and tickets here
Fringe is Feminist! Yeah!