NYTheatre.com Review

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-Carissa Cordes · August 15, 2010

Girlpower: Survival of the Fittest is one of the most unique FringeNYC 2010 offerings I've found so far. It is brought to the festival by the Project Girl Performance Collective and Co-Op Theatre East. This show delivers what the postcard promises. Directed by Ashley Marinaccio and Jessica Greer Morris, the female performers, aged 13 to 21, take "deeply personal material based on real interviews and experiences" about "issues they face growing up in today's world." The performers devised and created all the pieces presented in Girlpower. However this is not a show about self-pity, indulgence, or attention-seeking. This is an honest with no apologies show that takes issues girls struggle with every day, from body image and bullies to rape and absent fathers. The girls use these subjects and transform them into a theatrical experience using song, dance, poetry and rhyme, storytelling, and some humor. The girls bond onstage, have fun, and present themselves as a confident and supporting ensemble.

More than 40 individually titled pieces are presented in the program; the show is listed as being 90 minutes, but the performance I attended did run over by a few minutes. The show flows as one piece bleeds and transitions into the next, working towards creating a complete, uninterrupted experience. For myself I found a few of the pieces especially striking. I laughed in camaraderie at "Diet Song" by Camille Theobald. Emily Rupp's "Beds" is disturbing and heartbreaking, but I felt so proud the girls in the stories (played by Emily Rupp, Camille Theobald, and Katherine Scott) follow through to justice against their rapists. It wasn't so long ago that women were encouraged to stay silent about those violations and injustices. Dailyn Santana's "Street Harassment," performed by Andira Rodriguez, started by giving me the shudders, telling the story of improper touch on the subway and then had an intelligent and humorous conclusion with a cat-caller. Nora Kennedy's inspired tribute to Bette Davis is adorable. I was pleased by Lillian Rodriguez's intelligent "What About Lynn Nottage?" Through the use of a dialogue, Rodriguez is able to point out the inequality between male and female playwrights on Broadway. Kristen Gonzalez's "My Hood," performed by Kristen Gonzalez, Lillian Rodriguez, and Dominique Fishback, takes three different voices on gentrification and left me wondering about the cost of what is repeatedly called progress. Bringing "Tools of Survival" to the audience and encouraging participation was one of several ways they kept us engaged and active.

The "Reality Checks" sprinkled throughout the program provide facts about various topics brought up in the vignettes and the historical references to women's suffrage and liberation in Emily Rupp's songs nicely juxtapose with the personal moments and kept the show in context for me. While female equality and views about females have come a long way, there is still the pressure of physical perfection, over-expressed sexuality, repressed intelligence, and suppressed individuality and freedom. There are still walls to break down.

All the young performers take chances and shine, and I wish I had enough space to compliment them all. At the beginning of the show they were a group of young female performers; by the end I saw them all as individuals with their own voices and opinions. This is a show that will affect each individual audience member differently, depending on their individual experiences, but I think each audience member with an ounce of empathy will find themselves affected in some way by these brave girls. When I walked out of the theatre I found myself wishing there had been something similar to Girlpower for me when I was navigating the pressures of high school and college.

I hope the Project Girl Performance Collective continues on after this festival and continues to do this work with performers and non-performers alike. It provides an outlet and means of individual expression and empowerment not available anywhere else.

Pictured: Andira Rodriguez, Kristen Gonzalez, Kristina de Mora, Katherine Scott, Samantha Phillips, Lillian Ridriguez (photo © Ashley Marinaccio)

WOW! So proud to be a part of this :-)

-ER

GirlPower: Survival of the Fittest at the NY International Fringe Festival

Project Girl Performance Collective and Co-Op Theatre East present: GIRLPOWER: SURVIVAL OF THE FITTEST created and performed by the Project Girl Performance Collective directed by Ashley Marinaccio and Jessica Greer Morris edited by Elizabeth Koke assistant directed/stage managed by Katherine Sommer and Alexa Winston featuring: Emily Rupp, Lillian Rodriguez, Andira Rodriguez, Dominique Fishback, Stacey Oliver, Amber Tiara Rhaab, Samantha Phillips, Camille Theobald, Katherine Scott, Kristen Gonzalez, Arianna Hanson, Nora Kennedy, Deanna Alexandra, Kaylyn O'Gara, Dailyn Santana, Kristina de Mora The New York International Fringe Festival – FringeNYC a production of The Present Company SUN August 15th @ 2:00pm THUR August 19 @ 4:45pm FRI August 20 @ 4:00pm SAT August 21 @ 7:15pm *THUR August 26 @ 4:00 pm *Followed by a moderated talkback with cast/crew Tickets: $15 The Robert Moss Theatre 440 Lafayette Street, 3rd Floor GirlPower: Survival of the Fittest is an empowering, ensemble-driven collection of words written and performed by teenagers, struggling with issues they face growing up in today's world. In deeply personal material based on real interviews and experiences, the young women explore topics such as peer pressure, body image, being an outcast, different, flawed, and full of dreams for the future. They share their perspectives on love, relationships, current events, the future and creating change. Audiences can expect to walk away with a renewed sense of their own empowerment, regardless of age and gender. "The show achieves the innovation and freshness sought by many more seasoned writers and actors at the Fringe Festival. Gritty and honest, GirlPower is sure to encourage postperformance discussion among audience members of all ages and genders." - Carly Guarino (Time Out NY - 2009) About the Project Girl Performance Collective: The Project Girl Performance Collective empowers young women by creating a safe space to address contemporary social, political and cultural issues through the performing arts and written word. The Project Collective is committed to the idea of theatre and performance as a medium for awareness, action and social change. www.projectgirlperformancecollective.org. About Co-Op Theatre East: Co-Op Theatre East believes in the power of art to foster a dialogue for social change. We provide an entertaining performance forum in which to ask evocative, challenging questions of artists and audiences on our way to creating collaborative answers. www.cooptheatreeast.org See More

GirlPower: Survival of the Fittest links

A few helpful links for the show. More will be posted soon!

Show's website: http://www.theateronline.com/pb.xzc?PK=25096

NYTheate.com FringeNYC preview: http://www.nytheatre.com/nytheatre/listing_fnyc.php?t=10590

Check Please

Why does everyone assume that when a man and a woman are out and about, that it's a date?
Why does everyone assume that when a man and a woman are out that the woman has no money?
I know chivalry isn't dead, But nowadays woman can be a breadwinner too.

I went out earlier this week with a male friend.

friend.
Our ears were drawn into a lounge called The Living Room. We wandered in and settled down to listen to some live music.
There was a two drink minimum, so we ordered our drinks and enjoyed the jams.

The music was pretty loud so my friend and I couldn't really talk, but we did lean over the table to shout into one anothers ear to share our opinion of the music.
Towards the end of the bands set, our waitress came to the table as the music was booming and whispers into my friends ear. My friend reaches into his wallet and pays for our drinks.

wait.
I'm sorry, did my friend have a sign on his back that said ATM that I missed?
Did you not care to ask how we'd be paying?
Did you think I expected him to buy the drinks?

I was so angry.
I think it made me so angry because she never even bothered me.
It was like I didn't exist.
I'd been out with this friend a number of times and sometimes I pay, sometimes he pays, its kind of a game who gets the check first because we know when we go out again, it'll be the other persons turn.

But not this time, this waitress was set on having him & ONLY HIM pay for the drinks.

I don't even know how much it was, it was probably only $4, but the fact that she didn't ask...made me angry.

We went out to dinner after that.

I paid for the check.

- ER

Meet the Company: Emily Rupp

Name:

Emily Rupp

Age:

20

Hometown:

Lake Orion, MI

What made you interested in being part of the Project Girl Performance Collective?

Having a story and wanting to share it. The idea of helping to encourage others to express themselves artistically is very exciting to me. We all need to listen to each other to better understand how the world works and understand what we all desire. Too many people walk around in silence, PGPC is going to break that silence.

What have you learned/gained from being part of PGPC?

I've learned how important it is to share with others and to absorb what they have to share. It's important to be open, to stay available to others. I've learned a lot for the other girls in PGPC and I know we've each contributed so much to each others growth. Most importantly I've learned so much more about myself by being a part of PGPC, I feel it's helped me overcome a lot of my obstacles in life. Having a strong support group of young women is very powerful.

What has been your favorite part of working on "GirlPower: Survival of the Fittest? Can I say everything?

Okay, my favorite this is creating the experience for the audience. (That kind of sums up everything into a few words) What we talk about is extremely vulnerable. I haven't even shared everything I've written with all of my friends. The things we write and talk about will make you laugh, cry, make your heartache, smile, question yourself, sadden you, it will make you EXPERIENCE. That's the point! Not to persuade you to think a certain way to the look at us a certain way, we want you to experience what we've experienced, what we've seen others experience. We want you to hear our story, hear our voice, we want you to pay attention and feel what we have to say; rather than hear a middle aged person on the news read some sugar coated version of the story from a telepromter, or read the equivilant in some newspaper. We want you to experience the world from our perspective.

Is there anything that has been a challenge for you in working on "GirlPower: Survival of the Fittest"?

Writing. Writing was a big struggle for me before PGPC. GirlPower: Survival of the Fittest definatley helped me open up and share my writing, my thoughts, and ideas. However sometimes it is still difficult. For me, writing makes your stories, your thoughts so permenant, it makes it reality. Sometimes you don't want to admit that you feel a certain way about yourself or about others and you aren't ready to face the reality of it all. Even though the writing is a huge challenge, I still do it and I have yet to be disappointed with the outcome of sharing my words.

When/Why did you first become involved in theatre?

I had sang here and there with my parents and for little church things, nothing huge. Then when I was a sophomore I did this Musical Theatre workshop. I was tricked into auditioning (they had us all just singing in a room with each other, but they were actually auditioning you without you knowing it) and happened to land the biggest solo of the show - a medley of The Beatles "Eleanor Rigby" and "Hey Jude". After that performance, I knew I was going to be a performer forever. After moving to New York, I discovered there is so much involved in theatre, film, anything in the performing arts...and I want to do it all! Perform, produce, write, direct, all of it.

What do you want to be when you "grow up"?

A leader. Doesn't matter in how big or how small of a venue. I want to lead, inspire, create and live a healthy, happy life.

What is your favorite subject in school?

I'm Alumni of The New York Conservatory for Dramatic Arts, School for Film and Television. I completed the 2 year professional TV and Film Training Program.

Meet the Company: Katherine Scott

Name:

Katherine Scott

Hometown:

Holmdel, NJ

Age:

16

What made you interested in being part of the Project Girl Performance Collective?

I think Project Girl is fantastic way to work towards social changes through theatre. This is an extraordinary, unique group of powerful women who are making strides for a better future. I wanted to be a part of this because it is unlike anything I have ever done. I wanted to challenge myself as a writer and an actress and an artist. I wanted to help give a voice to girls in my generation. I wanted to learn from other girls and their experiences and share my own stories with them. I wanted to have a lot of fun. I wanted to have the chance to perform work that is important and poignant has the potential to make a difference in the world.

What have you learned/gained from being part of PGPC?

Being a part of PGPC has opened my eyes to how many different types of people there are in the world. It has shown me that you can never know everything about someone- each person has their own secret and their own story. PGPC has shown me that regardless of how different your background is or where you grew up is, everyone has dealt with their own pain. Being a part of PGPC, I have been amazed and blown away by the creativity and talent of these girls around me, and it has challenged me to push myself as an artist.

What has been your favorite part of working on "GirlPower: Survival ofthe Fittest?

My favorite part has been the stimulating conversations that leave me thinking about so many social issues, and so many things that need improvement in today's world. I leave each PGPC rehearsal with such a sense of empowerment and confidence and pride in what we are working on. Also, I have met so many unique, fun, awesome girls! It is so cool because we are all extremely different, and yet we all got along so easily from the very first rehearsal.

Is there anything that has been a challenge for you in working on"GirlPower: Survival of the Fittest"?

It was difficult finding the strength to share and talk about some personal issues, and hear others' personal stories that are very upsetting. However, because we found comfortability in one another, it became easier to be honest. This has been extremely challenging because I am not very confident in my abilities as a writer or as a creative mind. However, PGPC is pushing me to expand my creativity and be confident in the work I produce.

When/Why did you first become involved in theatre?

I have always loved performing. There is such a thrill found in entertaining others and sharing with an audience. I have always loved doing what I am passionate about onstage. I have performed as a dancer from the time I was 4 years old, but I first became really involved in theatre by doing school shows in grammar school. My sister was involved as stage manager/assistant director for her high school productions, and I went to see all of those shows and became very inspired. In 6th grade, I did my first community theatre production (playing "Thea", the female adaptation of the role "Theo" in "Pippin" because my sisters' friend was in the show, and they need a child to replace the boy who was supposed to be "Theo" but dropped out). This sparked my intense passion for theatre, and since then, I have tried to be open to every opportunity, and immerse myself in the art by learning as ,uch as I can about theatre.

What do you want to be when you "grow up"?

I want to be a Broadway performer. I would also love to be a choreographer/director. I am also very interested in dance/movement therapy, along with drama therapy. I would love to teach dance to kids with special needs.

What is your favorite subject in school?

I am fascinated by science, and I do very well in math/science. However, I love reading/writing, as well.

Meet the Company: Dominique Fishback

Name
Dominique Fishback

Age
19

Hometown
Brooklyn, East NY

What made you interested in being part of the Project Girl Performance Collective? I was involved in this amazing group when it was just "Girl Power" and I've been attached ever since. I believe in the power that we have and how we change at least one girl's life.
What have you learned/gained from being part of PGPC?
I learn that we have to change do more to be heard but once we are everyone is intrigued and from there a lot more things can happen for females around the world.

What has been your favorite part of working on "GirlPower: Survival of the Fittest?
Just having a place to share the poetry and monologues I've been working in prior, I have ears that want to hear what I have to say.

Is there anything that has been a challenge for you in working on"GirlPower: Survival of the Fittest"?
The hardest thing I have to face is not being afraid of hurting someone I love feelings because of my honesty..

When/Why did you first become involved in theatre?
When I was 15 turning 16 in a group called MCC youth theater company. My mom wanted me to try she said I'm really drama but I never wanted to. Once I tried I fall in love.

What do you want to be when you "grow up"?
I want to be in movies that touch your soul and on Broadway, in plays, cause I can't sing, but that's something I will work on.

What is your favorite subject in school?
In high school I loved English, History, and Gym. Now I am a student at Pace University studying acting. In the fall I'll be a sophomore.