African-American Themes

A poignant, seriocomic piece exploring identity through soundscape and movement

From: Maythinee Washington

Most Fringy Thing: Initially, WHITE GIRL has been about me exorcising my demons to bring about change for myself, but the more I perform it, the more I see the potential for catharsis; that the piece asks the audience to delve deeply into themselves and remark on their own experiences.

Brief Description: What is beauty? What is race? How do we see ourselves and determine our identity? WHITE GIRL is an original solo show employing found text & sound with movement and pantomime telling a story of a girl exploring these questions. At times comic and poignant, the artist draws from her personal history and plays with pop culture to create a work that continues to be thought-provoking long after it has ended.

Artist/Company Biography: Recently listed in Vegas Seven magazine's Intriguing People 2011 issue, Maythinee Washington is a theatrical artist who writes, directs, and performs. She passionately declares that her life's work is "onstage and on the mat." An accomplished yogi, she relishes physicality, flexibility, and strength, and translates that interest towards bringing fully-embodied characters to the stage. She is an alumna of Brown University and has her MFA in Acting from the University of Washington. Find out more at maythinee.com and follow her on twitter: @maythinee.

From: Las Vegas, NV

Critics' Reviews

A homeless veteran journeys back to the home he lost.

From Pipeline Productions

Show Description: A homeless veteran of the Iraq war journeys back to the home he lost, carrying sorrows and resentments - and a loaded Colt .380. The people he meets along the way stir memories and fantasies, and prepare him, unknowingly, for his climactic confrontation with the occupants of his former home.

Most Fringy Thing: See the fire sweepin’ Our very streets today. Burns like a red coal carpet Mad bull lost its way. War, children, it’s just a shot away It’s just a shot away... War, children, it’s just a kiss away, It’s just a kiss away. Gimme Shelter, by the Rolling Stones

Artist/Company Bio: Pipeline Productions is a Cincinnati-based theater company devoted to showcasing the talents of local artists.

Hails from: Cincinnati, OH

Previous Fringes: Fringe virgin

From Gucci bags to brothels. Poetic drama about sex slavery.

From Piñata Productions

Show Description: A privileged woman living in Kentucky. A sex slave known as Girl on the other side of the world. What could possibly bring them together by the end of The Global Lovers? Inspired in part by the story of Aisha Parveen, a former sex slave in Pakistan, this poetic drama explores sex slavery and its relationship to American consumer culture. It juxtaposes visual imagery, dialogue, monologue, poetry, advertising slogans, chants, and song, and transcends time and space, to bring you to the heart of conflict and hope. Be prepared for transformation. If you enter the performance like Kentucky Woman, you'll leave like Girl. Written with original songs by Rhonda Pettit; directed by award-winning Fringe veteran e.E.Charlton-Trujillo.

Most Fringy Thing: Incorporating cinematic image projection and sound design, the intention is to elevate the show's hybrid of traditional narrative and poetic drama. Also, we don't shy away from the face of sex-slavery (often very young girls) and our large, all-female ensemble embodies both male and female personas. We move, we shout and embrace two very different worlds. For us, it isn't enough to simply be political. We've gotta rock your experience and make a lot of noise doing it!

Artist/Company Bio: Piñata Productions is a Cincinnati based company helmed by award-winning filmmaker and novelist e.E. Charlton-Trujillo. The indie company collaborates with local, national, and international artists to develop and produce film, theater, television, web, and print materials.  Their most recent endeavor Fallen, a one-hour drama television pitch filmed entirely in Cincinnati, is being shopped in Los Angeles. Rhonda Pettit, whose poetry and scholarship have been widely published, teaches literature and writing at University of Cincinnati Raymond Walters College.

Hails from: Erlanger, KY

Previous Fringes: 2009 Cincinnati Fringe Festival Film Fringe (Vanessa Rising, Director e.E. Charlton-Trujillo, Flick of the Fringe)

He can't promise cereal or bacon, but he can promise truth!

From Bridge Productions

Show Description: He can't promise cereal or bacon, but he can promise truth! Two Bowls of Cereal and Some Bacon is a special blend of heartbreak, humor, and hope, drawn from Mahmoud Hakima's childhood memories. The product of a fractured and violent household, boy Mahmoud finds innocent joy in the attentions of a lovely, older Mystery Girl in his gifted and talented class. The Mystery Girl's tragic story is interwoven with Mahmoud's own. A 2009 Minnesota Fringe Festival favorite, Two Bowls of Cereal and Some Bacon is a moving and original one-man show.  (Ages 14 and up)

Most Fringy Thing: The most exciting thing about Two Bowls of Cereal and Some Bacon is that Mahmoud wears the same shirt to work that he wears in the show. We're not sure if he sleeps in it. Also, this is not a musical, but we do give good soundtrack.

Artist/Company Bio: Bridge Productions, founded in 2007, is devoted to supporting and developing playwrights and their spirited new work, with and for our community. Each new play crafted through Bridge Productions represents a unique vision, a message of hope, and a model of positive action. We create beautifully crafted, resonant new plays in a nurturing environment. Each play brought about through Bridge is the result of a thoughtful collaborative process. Bridge Productions is based in St. Paul, MN and can be found at www.bridgeproductions.info

Hails from: Woodbury, MN

Previous Fringes: 2008 Minnesota Fringe Festival (The Scarlet Lady)

Critics' Reviews