With powerful prose and witty humor, the Untamed Shrews, Dartmouth's all-women theater performance group, presented their Fall term repertoire, titled "Shrews Go Green" to two very receptive audiences this weekend.
The show, which took place in Brace Commons on Sunday afternoon, was a collection of 16 pieces written by, for, and about Dartmouth women.
Twelve women from all four classes collaborated to share the stories of women's voices that all to often go unheard. There were stories of fear, family, rape, alcoholism, liberation, racial identity and sexual orientation ranging in form from short prose to lengthy poetry.
The performance began when the Shrews took their places in the audience either standing or sitting with the audience members.
They asked provocative questions such as, "What if women could impregnate men?," "What if everyone at Dartmouth was a feminist?" and "What if men had to wear high heels and nylons to work?"
Serin Houston '00 told the terrifying story of a female Dartmouth student who was returning home and heard the rustling of fallen leaves and expressed fear because she did not know if she had made the noises or if someone was following her.
From a poem by Aimee Loiselle '92, Joanna Kidd '99 recited, "I am proud of the woman who makes her own pedestal." Standing on a round wooden block, Kidd continued, "... but not so high that she cannot lean on the rest of us."
In an anonymously-written poem titled, "Do You Remember?," the entire cast of the Shrews told the story of "that drunk girl" by taking turns narrating different lines.
Some of the more painful and serious stories were recited, or perhaps relived, by the victims themselves.
In a brave account, Cat Weiss '97 told her story of being violated by someone she had trusted.
Aurora Leute '97, in a piece titled "Promises to Myself," told her story of pain, confusion, misfortune and final triumph in her battle against alcoholism.
She declared, "Being an alcoholic and being a senior at Dartmouth are important parts of my identity."
Offering comic relief, Megan Costa '00 and Amy Yamner '99 performed a piece called "Why Wonder Women Don't Need Wonderbras." They called on women to liberate themselves from the oppressive binds of brassieres.
Touching on another serious issue with which women at the College often deal, "Surviving" by Laura Lutsk '95 told about a woman's struggle with anorexia. Sara Becker '00 read, "I see the long sweep of her arms as she fastens her belt to the first notch."
Men and women audience members alike appeared to recognize the importance of these often times forgotten and untold stories.
Immediately before the performance, Meylysa Tseng '98, who was present at the performance, said, "I am excited to hear what women have to say."
After the performance, the Shrews invited the audience to stay to participate in a question-and-answer session on the different pieces and about women's issues in general.
The discussion organically evolved into open dialogue about the disturbing number of unreported sexual assaults and rapes on campus, the trials and tribulations of finding a compatible partner for marriage and many other issues.
Jay Hanlon '97 said, "The performance was empowering."
Some of the male audience members said the pieces served as a "wake up call" to these issues.
Marcos Leiva '00 said, "The actual way it was related to this school made it closer to home."
Throughout the performance one was reassured by the strength of women and their willingness to share their stories, both painful and humorous in hopes that they will be able to make a difference.
