Theater

All events take place at Culture Project, 55 Mercer Street, unless otherwise noted.

Becoming Natasha

July 1 at 8 PM, July 3 and 6 at 7 PM, July 7 at 3 PM, July 13 at 7 PM, and July 14 at 3 PM

Isadora Productions’ Becoming Natasha, inspired by the book The Natashas by Victor Malarek, is the first production of it’s kind to expose the issues behind human trafficking. This four-woman play explores and exposes the economic and cultural influences behind a billion dollar industry and the psychological pain and afterlife of some of its victims. Panels following each performance will give audiences opportunities to engage with performers, as well as representatives of anti-trafficking organizations like Equality Now and the New York State Anti-Trafficking Coalition.

A Write To Heal

July 8 at 8 PM

Lisa Regina is an artist, educator, and filmmaker who, on April 2, 2005, was the victim of a domestic assault. Using her writing skills as a path to healing, she founded a weekly writing program for other women of domestic abuse. A Write to Heal is a collection of monologues, songs, and poetry emerging from and inspired by the true writings of survivors of domestic abuse.

The Scarlet Letter
Featuring Marisa Tomei

July 10 & 11 at 7:30 PM

Renowned scholar and psychologist Carol Gilligan’s adaptation of Nathaniel Hawthorne’s novel. Directed by Leigh Silverman, this intensive script workshop features Marisa Tomei and David Strathairn.

We Got Issues!

July 12 at 7:30 PM

Founded by Rha Goddess and JLove Calderon, We Got Issues! is a collective of spoken word poets, writers and other strong and committed women, whose work is dedicated to empowering young women to find - and use - their voices. Five women spoken word artists will perform.

 

Previous Women Center Stage Theater

Lenelle Moïse: Womb-Words, Thirsting

June 28 at 9 PM

Mixing a brew full of womanist Vodou jazz, queer theory, hip-hop, and movement, Womb-Words, Thirsting is an interactive evening of patchwork poetic storytelling delivered – slam style – from the gut. Haitian-American solo artist Lenelle Moïse re-conceives memory and boldly speaks out about childhood, masculinities, sexualities, AIDS, cultural hybridity, and reclaiming f-words.

Staceyann Chin

June 29 & 30 at 7:30 PM

Staceyann Chin, Culture Project’s poet-in-residence, is a mainstay of WCS festivals. This year, while working on a new book, she brings new material to the festival for two nights only. Staceyann Chin has been an “out poet and political activist” since 1998, presenting work at venues from the Nuyorican Poets' Cafe to poetry workshops in Denmark and London to co-writer and performer in the Tony-nominated Russell Simmons Def Poetry Jam on Broadway