The Theories of Feminism and Lesbianism in Theatre

(originally posted 01/09 at wordpress)

by Lisa M. Scrivner

The Theories of Feminism and Lesbianism in Theatre:

Providing the Opportunities for Women to be Taken Seriously in their Art.

 

Feminist theatre is a direct result of the feminist movement. Just as there are various and multiple ways to be a woman, lesbian, or anything in general, there is no one set way to be a feminist. Feminist theatre not only provides women with opportunities to be taken seriously in theatre arts, it also helps to spread knowledge of past and present women's movements. It can be used as a tool to confront our society with issues that aren't only important to women, but are important in the evolution of society. In my opinion, the theatre should grasp the various ideas of feminism to create a true and complete feminist genre. By embracing all aspects of feminism, the feminist theatre of the future will generate a more diverse standpoint and cater to all women.

Read the SheSheet. Write the SheSheet. Call for Submissions!

(originally posted 11/08 at wordpress)



If you're reading this, you're a SheSheet reader. Thanks! But have you ever thought about becoming a SheSheet writer? We love one-time, periodic, AND regular contributors.

CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS

The SheSheet is looking for women and allies to submit to our online
zine! If you love to write, cook, create things, analyze popular
culture, or talk about women's issues, we want you and your talents!
We accept poetry, prose, news or opinion pieces, artwork that can be
scanned or photographed so that it can be shown on the computer,
recipes, craft patterns, instructions for creative things, film and
book reviews, and more. We love written articles that have to do with
feminist issues, women's issues, and social justice and/or social
change related things. Critiques of contemporary society are more than
welcome. People of all genders are welcome to make submissions.

For more information, please check out the SheSheet at
http://www.shesheet.com/ or write to the editor at mae@shesheet.com.

Isn't it time to get in touch with your feminist side?

Book Review: Dance Lest We All Fall Down by Dr. Margaret Willson

(originally posted 08/08 at wordpress)



review by kristyn stolze

Hey shesheet readers… I just finished a fascinating book a couple of weeks ago by an anthropologist living in Seattle, and I think you might enjoy knowing about it. You can order it through In Other Words and I highly recommend it.

The book, titled Dance Lest We All Fall Down, is by anthropologist Dr. Margaret Willson. It describes her experience living in Salvador, Brazil and developing the non-profit called Bahia Street alongside an incredible woman and friend of hers from Bahia named Rita Conceicao. These two women put their intelligent and creative minds together and came up with a way to make change available to young girls trapped in poverty in Salvador. After lots of conversation and research within the communities of Salvador, these women created a non-profit that provides young girls with an opportunity to get education otherwise unavailable to them. With often painful insight to the realities of these young girls’ lives, the book lets us see into some of the struggle involved in getting a non-profit started in a way that keeps the focus on the people it intends to serve.

And Then There’s Maude

(originally posted 08/08 at wordpress)


by Kelsey Mason

Maude is a television show staring Beatrice Arthur that aired on CBS from September 12, 1972 to April 22, 1978. The show was a spin off of All in the Family.

Beatrice Arthur plays Maude, an outspoken liberal, who considers herself a feminist. Maude is in her early fifties, but has the spunk of a twenty-two year old. She is a modern day New Yorker, who refuses to back down when something appears unjust. Maude spends her days advocating for civil rights, such as gender and racial equality. This strong, assertive woman stands on behalf of women’s liberation and abortion rights.

Herstory: Gladys Bentley

(originally posted 03/08 at wordpress)



by mae stephenson

Gladys Bentley (1907 - 1960)

Audio Clip from www.queerculturalcenter.org

Gladys Bentley was an out lesbian blues singer during the Harlem Renaissance. She moved to Harlem from Pennsylvania at age 16 and began performing at rent parties (thrown by artists for a cover charge to raise rent), soon graduating to speakeasies and nightclubs. She gained immense notoriety for her raunchy renditions of popular songs, always performed in her signature tux and top hat. She began recording her music in the 1930's, and while politics of the era forced her to forego including her songs with lesbian lyrics, she still performed them at clubs and attracted a predominately gay audience. Once the "lavender scare" and McCarthyism hit in the 1950's, Bentley became a prime target an as out lesbian bulldagger in the entertainment industry. Despite her previous marriage to a white woman in New Jersey, she quickly married a man and began wearing dresses, touting salvation via the consumption of female hormones. Her efforts to survive in a dangerous era are seen as a piece of her important herstory.

For more information, visit http://www.queerculturalcenter.org/Pages/Bentley/BentleyBio.html or http://lesbianlife.about.com/od/lesbiansinhistory/p/GladysBentley.htm

Thoughts of a Voluntary Object

(orginally posted 7/07 at wordpress)



by ideath

Lots of women in Portland get paid to take off their clothes. I've been doing it, myself, for about twelve years, on and off. When new acquaintances hear that I'm a nude model, it often elicits surprise, then