Thursday, July 23, 2009

Which do you prefer--tits, boobies, bosoms, girls, breasts, jugs, rack, ta-tas?

I love the reviews coming out about this show.  Each serves as an affirmation and guarantee that if you buy a ticket and attend a performance of Bare Breasted Women Sword Fighting you will indeed see bare breasted women sword fighting.

 

With a title as promising as that, you’re right, we better follow through!

 

As a female I have never quit understood the hype over boobies. Lumps of excess flesh that hang semi-symmetrically on a woman’s body.  These lumps first and foremost serve to feed and nurture little ones as they come out of the womb.  Is it because of this very important practical purpose that they are so desirous and in many other’s eyes sexy?

 

I’m not trying to harp back to an Oedipus complex theory here.  The novelty of breasts is just so interesting to me. 

 

What is even more exciting to see though, as we are in our second week of shows and selling out, is that it isn’t just the title and promise of breasts that are creating our audiences.  People have come and seen, and our reviews are promising something more…a fun, thought-provoking, damn good time.

 

So if you haven’t gotten your tickets yet, do it quick, they’re going fast!!!

If you kick butt, they will come!

From Wendy -

Confession: I love *pretend* violence.

It all started when I was a little, little girl - My mom worked in a Doctors lab after Midnight running tests - she would bring me with her, put me to bed in the waiting room (in one of those squishy lazy boys), and I would sneak up and watch TV at 2 am. My favorite - WWF! I will never forget the fight between Andre the Giant and Hulk Hogan...so amazing! That began a long love affair: Bruce Lee, Jet Li, Princess Bride, Batman, anything Pirates, Zena, Rocky, Comando, Buffy, Transporter, Casino Royale, Alien, Predator, Alien vs. Predator...

After college I spent some time learning Rapier&Dagger, Broadsword, Unarmed...it was...perfect. So what a fantastic opportunity to get to work on "Bare Breasted Women Sword Fighting." What an amazing job our director did choreographing these varied fights.

The first time I saw the fight between the Warrior Princess and the Damsel in Distress and the Rubber Woman I remember at points screaming "yea!" as if I was at an arena watching a match (Confession#2: I saw Dewayne "The Rock" Johnson LIVE when he was in his prime).

The fight between the Amazons - visceral, dangerous, animalistic...putting those big, heavy swords in the hands of Amazonians, they belong together...oh yeah - nice breasts!

Stage combat is a choreographed dance of implied violence , YES! The beautiful Bare Breasted Women own their dance floor. The lines Lorraine created and the Bare Breasteds breathe to life are poetic. The fight is natural and beautiful...oh yeah - nice breasts!

AND I get to say "pussy" in front of lots of peole every night!!! Virgin/Mother/Whore, MC, and Madame take me back to the days of going over to my friends house in Middle School to watch old Richard Pryor and Eddie Murphy stand up. Sex Education. Raunchy, Verbal Violence - their tongues are sharper than swords.

It's a fun night of Women and Butt Kicking! Come see "Bare Breasted Women Sword Fighting" - Only 4 shows left!

Friday, July 17, 2009

Opening and Scripter-er-ing...

From Nicole:

We're open! Congratulations to all! Before you even think about reading what I'm about to write, read this review: http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/fringe/2009/07/17/hip-shot-bare-breasted-women-sword-fighting/

I love this review. I am so proud of us.

If you've already come to the show, or if you know me or the process at all, you know that I am the Assistant Director/"Scripter-er." Scripter-er. That is a word that Wyckham made up.

I teach playwriting for a living, so obviously I spend some time thinking about the role of the playwright. When Lorraine and Wyckham approached me about Bare Breasted Women Sword Fighting, I didn't want that title. Because playwright, to me, said "owner," "origin," and "master" of the text. Which is not who I am in this process. So I'm a scripter-er instead.

Being something of a notorious control freak, you might think I'd have trouble with all this collaboration stuff. But I'm learning all the time what the art is: sifting through the collected words of these women (thanks Amanda and Alexis for doing the typing!!) and shaping them into pages.

I'm fascinated by the way this works. Charity says something hilarious, off the top of her head, and then I make her say it every time we do that scene. Except maybe one time she'll "mess up" her lines, and whatever she says will be even more hilarious, and I'll throw out the old lines. Or Sara yells a joke from the audience, and that becomes the text. Or I make a joke about French that makes Kelly laugh, and I get to write it into the show. And on and on and on.

I know I had a lot of power as the person who controlled what was physically printed on paper. I'm humbled by that. I kept trying to submit to everyone else's creativity. I was shy about writing something I hadn't said out loud in rehearsal, but at the same time I felt supported by a cast and crew that I knew would keep me honest.

What a cool way to be a playwright. It all starts by admitting that I don't know everything. Once I admit that, I get to have help. Girl, I love help.

See the show now, please!

Tuesday, July 14, 2009

Thoughts on final rehearsal before tech

Hi friends! Becky here.

So let me say up front that I was orginally "scheduled" to blog the first week of rehearsal but since I decided on that first day that I would secretly live in backwards world for a while I decided that first meant last. And besides I have actually written tons of entries...unfortunately none of you have the login and password to the blog inside my head.

Before I continue on about BBWSF I have to just say that I am thrilled that is my 3rd Dog and Pony DC show! With a 4th (Separated at Birth in the Spring) and 5th (a version of Medea that Lorraine and I have been musing about since Cymbeline) in the works.... These 3 conspiritorial ladies have become dear friends and I feel pretty lucky and blessed to be able to do such fun, challenging and inspiring work with them.

Anyways I digress. I feel giddy. Maybe it's the glass of wine that I am sipping right now but I started feeling this about 2 hours ago. It was like a wave of fun and pride that was sweeping over me. (Starting as a funny feeling in my pants...you know what I am talking about...right? Then you really need to see the show, damnit!)

In all seriousness though.... I had been absent from rehearsals the past two days because I was in school - actually this part I am going to take a minute and shout:

"I WAS TAKING SOME OF THE FINAL CLASSES OF MY CAREER AS A MASSAGE THERAPY STUDENT - I AM GRADUATING, FINALLY!!!!" I shout for two reasons - I have major senioritis and after 2 years of school I feel I deserve an all caps shout.....AND once I take that final test I need clients! So email me at punkiepeters@gmail.com.

And back to BBWSF. So, I was away for two days. And I will be honest and say that the last time I was there Lorraine, director, gave us a rousing and honest speech about...well, the fact that we needed to step up our game and stop being such girls! (She still doesn't get that well...we can't do much about that last part...well, not without some moola and a good doctor :) ).

Anyways....the speech was I think exactly what we all needed. Because I have to say that tonight was AMAZING. I sat there after my act (by the way I am amused by the fact that for a 10 min act I think it will take me over an hour to get ready!) ....so i sat there and watched the acts and the energy, talent and pure female ooomph and pizazz and I was grinning from ear to ear. These women are tough, creative, innovative, intelligent and sexy. And that's just the director and stage management team!

Really I am in pure awe. I raise my half full wine glass (waiter!) to each of my cast mates (onstage and off) and say Thank You and you are AMAZING! I look forward to the next couple weeks. And beyond.

This is what I have learned over the course of this show - women are amazing. I have always been guarded around women b/c well in some cases we can be real sh*ts to each other but I what I have been reminded in this room os that we also need each other - a lot! I need them. (And I hope that doesn't put us over the "gay" line --- it's a rehearsal thing please don't be offended.)

With that and that the fact that I need a refill....I say COME SEE the show! Stay and cheers with us afterwards.


*** Oh and in case any men (esp our two male designers who are equally amazing - Colin and Neil) feel like they are left how...don't worry - I already like you. I have always found men interesting and wonderful...but you gotta explore once in a while, right? Tee hee hee

Monday, July 13, 2009

Bare Breasted Women Sword Fighting, aka, Naked Breakfast Club.

From Maggie:

I am an admirer of Dog & Pony DC. I like that they make strong statements, and ask big questions. In my act (which I share with the lovely and talented Becky Peters), the audience will see feats of grotesque resilience, as my character beats the hell out of Becky's character ( The Amazing Rubber Woman)from which she bounces back with nary a wince or scratch. The act in a sense, is I Love Lucy, George & Gracie, The Honeymooners, and others similar, all distilled down to the uncomfortable truth of their humor: I dominate you man + you take it gratfully woman = sitcom humor gold.

I understand not everyone shares that particular perspective on those well loved and culturally iconic television / radio shows, but for the sake of BBWSF this is how we're rolling.

I think it's a fair question: Since when did it become funny to call women: hysterical, deceitful, vain, jealous, shallow, ditzy, cold, frigid, bi-polar, sex pots, who desire nothing more than to be taken care of by a man, pop out babies, clean a house, and anticipate the needs of everyone (except themselves) on earth?

Probably right about the time it became funny to call men: dumb, mono-sylabic-grunting, beer swilling, illiterate, unfeeling, wife pummelling, penny pinching, child ignoring, workaholic, apes who just want their wives to feed them, screw them and then leave them alone.

I mean, c'mon... I think it's time to have a "come to Jesus moment":

How many women have spent money when they told their significant others they wouldn't? How many women haven't been exactly forthcoming about the cost of their fabulously, amazing new haircut, in order to lessen the shock, and really it's for his own good because he doesn't understand the pressure society puts on women... it's just not the same for him...? How many women judge the clothes and appearances of the women around them, or use their feminity as...ahem... "social currency"?

Oooh! oooooh ME! I do, I do! Am I proud of it? Not especially. Can I aknowledge the ridiculousness, and humor of it? Yes... ok 85% of the time. (Because in addition to being a sneaky, vain, judgemental, tease-- I am also hysterical)

The reason these shows have a place in our cultural conscience is because they represent exaggerated elements of truth. Are there cruel and base examples of them, absolutely. I think the examination of that line is what we're going for. How far is too far? And should we re-examine what we find entertaining in our culture? And do we all need to get a little sense of humor about ourselves? Yes, I think we do.

I have really enjoyed working on this show. The women are all tremendous and authentically lovely and strong, I am proud to count myself among them. I have learned much, not the least of which is how to kick ass ( literally) in highheels, so next time I'm PMS-ing... watch out.

In closing I would just like to say:

Society, "we think you're crazy to make us write an essay telling you who we think we are. You see us as you want to see us: in the simplest terms, in the most convenient definitions. But, what we found out is that each one of us is:"

a rubber woman, a warrior princess, a damsel in distress, an amazon, a virgin, a mother, a whore, and bare breasted sword fighters...

hmmmm, I'm not sure I really furtherd anyone's cause here...

Peace-
The Minister's Wife.

Sunday, July 12, 2009

I Put On My Sexy Pants One Leg At a Time, Just Like Everyone Else

From Kate

I knew I was getting into dangerous territory when I put on my heels and red lipstick and went to audition for Bare Breasted Women Sword Fighting. I knew I was running the risk of fooling Lorraine and Wyckham (our illustrious director and producer) into thinking I might own a pair of figurative sexy pants. The ruse worked, and I was cast.

One would think that the most difficult part of playing an over-the-top, WWE-style character would be learning the sweet wrestling moves. Turns out, those are a piece of cake when compared to the over-the-top sexiness of the Warrior Princess. I'll be honest with you: Thanks to my awesome, shame-based religious upbringing, I can't seduce my way out of a paper bag. Or even pretend to. Probably not a great spot to be in as an actor, and definitely not a good spot to be in as a grown-ass woman. In my second rehearsal, Lorraine (our illustrious director) asked me to think of a time that I feel sexy. I could come up with nothing. I don't know about y'all, but my Sunday school started teaching me about the sin of vanity when I was 6, and that stopped the internal monologue from ever going down the road of "I feel pretty/sexy/like I'm having a good hair day." Even though I have since renounced my virtuous ways, it is a continuous effort to undo 25 years of Mega-church (which included going to the religious school from 3rd-12th grade, plus going to church on my own about three times a week.)

After five weeks, it's gotten easier, but my lovely friends at Dog & Pony DC are up against thousands of years of religious rhetoric in their effort to get me to feel okay about people looking at me, and perhaps liking what they see. We've got a six-hour-long rehearsal today; hopefully that will help. I do not currently own a pair of sexy pants, but Dog & Pony is letting me borrow theirs until I can get to Target.


Pictures of Clevage







Friday, July 10, 2009

The Hump

From Rachel:  It's hard.  That point in the process when you know all your lines and don't run into the furniture.... and you have to push yourself over the line so that it isn't just "this is what I say and where I walk."   'Cause you do it correctly enough times and it can feel like it is done.  And it isn't.  Even more so with a piece like this.  It isn't enough to know the choreography and execute it.  Timing, precision, story.  The success of the show is in the crafting, moment to moment, and then selling it big and wide to everyone -- even those outside the theatre on the street.  I know we can all do it.  We took a good step forward tonight.  And that is why it was the perfect nite for Ice Cream Sandwiches.  But don't let that artificial vanilla goodness satiate you.  We have to keep at it.  Cause in the end, it is the detail and the specificity and the grandness of it all that separates a show from a spectacular.  And we are nothing if not (a) spectacular. 

(I think this was a rallying pep talk via blog post. The ice cream made me do it.)  

Monday, July 6, 2009

Madre

From Sara~

Two days off.  Count them! And while we were not meeting in a children's theatre studio with bright colored tissue paper and balloons on the shelf I was working on my lines.  Yup.  Nose to the grindstone, "Don't worry about me guys you go enjoy those fireworks I got some jokes to work on." ...That may be a lie.

Rehearsals are going very well in case you, dear reader, were worried.  There is so much happening and since the acts are relatively short they are each getting to work on their feet and then work little offstage and the get back up and work.  It is exciting to see how they change, sometimes drastically and sometimes just a nudge here or there.  And the most exciting thing that happened last week, was boobs. 

I realize if I had been brought up somewhere fabulous and warm and outside of the US, I would not be so tittilated by boobs.  Bare boobs.   Or excuse me, breasts.  I suppose it would have a different feel if it were Bare BooBed Women Sword Fighting.  Cause you know Boob also means a dummy.  Probably wouldn't have the same effect.

Let me give you the details.  Rachel decides enough kidding around and even though her fight partner was not there, she just rips her shirt off.  And she is there in the children's theatre studio in a rehearsal skirt and a sword ghost fighting with her partner very skillfully and bare breasted.  All eyes in the room, more or less stay on her focused eyes as she dances her way through the piece.  And the other night the Amazons were trying to fight in their lovely costumes.  Originally the costumes were going to only reveal one breast as the Amazon warriors used to cut off a gland so it wouldn't get in the way while pulling back the bow on the bow and arrow.   Certainly breasts get in the way not just back then but daily and even historically.  Think about it, I'm an 11 year old girl not quite ready to let go running around at recess and I got these bouncy things staring me in the face.  Double tank tops won't hide them and then it's a bra, and then books in front of my bulging chest and suddenly I'm wearing eyeliner and sitting in the back row of the movie theatre and reading Cosmo waaaaaayyy to early.  I blame the breasts, or I guess I celebrate them and that beautiful time of change? But they still get in the way.  People brush them, accidentally touch, them, and always say sorry.  And I'm sorry too, cause they're out there, brushing up against people, getting in the way of people's hands.. Though I am not fooled by the front hug from men I don't know that well and am not that happy to see, I turn and give them the side hug.... I digress-REHEARSAL.

Enough about my pre-teen years or that douche at work who goes in for the hug, and back to the action, my Amazon ladies (both Katies) are in their costumes for the first time and they're unsuccessfully hiding the other half of what their mama's gave them.  No audience will believe that either of them is missing a breast.  So these two young actresses go down to just skirts, that's right no tops like we're in the riviera.  They nix the whole top of their costumes and work the fight as free as Mother Nature intended.   And I'm watching them flow through the fight clanging their heavy broadswords at each other and I'm impressed at how stunning their bodies look together, lithe and graceful.  But instead of resorting to my inner third grade boy and being obsessed by areola I am locked into the solid connection between their eyes.  The vaudeville story of this fight is two women, neither good nor evil forced to fight for the audience --Lorraine you should drop some history here.  It is one of the darker moments in the show as they are would have been historically, fated to brutally fight each other for our entertainment.  On Wednesday night these 2 women dangerous and vulnerable step through a safely choreographed fight to the death, capably and confidently they assume warriors and give this dance the gravity of a ritual.   This is some ancient shit.  Nice work ladies, hopefully you, dear reader, will be part of that ritual.


Tuesday, June 30, 2009

Boundary Crossing... not really about BBWSF but inspired by a moment in rehearsal

From Rachel:

Sometimes, I don't know who I am.

Is that really me walking the dog, singing along openly with George Michael as I go down the street?
Is that really me acting a fool while singing "Little Cabin in the Woods" with teenagers and then throwing my shoulder out?
Is that really, truly me removing my tshirt and bra in rehearsal for no good reason?

Who is this person?  And do people think I am ridiculous?  brazen?  insane?  foolish?  brave?  

I ask this not to prompt direct reply but to rather to reflect that I stand amazed at myself... and I think it is one of the things I like most about me... and am attracted to in others.  The open and out there.  The unexpected.   The unknown.  The serendipitous.   

I gotta put a heat pack on my shoulder now.

Sunday, June 28, 2009

distressing damsels

FROM BRIANNA:
When I first heard that I would be playing the Damsel in Distress in a WWE style fight of epic proportions, my first thought was– those two images do not go in the same sentence! And my second thought was, I CAN’T WAIT!

The first showing of our act to the cast was a bit shocking for me. Truthfully I did not expect the audience reaction to be so angry towards the Damsel in Distress. I had not really thought about what it would be like that first week to perform it for an audience to be honest...I had been so focused on learning the fight in our rehearsals with maybe four onlookers. But since that first showing, I keep thinking about why it is that women are so anti-damsel. It seems obvious enough. She is weak and OF COURSE, women are not weak creatures. We have babies, deal with crotch scratchin' inarticulate men, and bleed once a month for God’s sake. I get it. I do. I would not consider myself a weak woman and many of my friends would not fall into the category. I am continually reminded of the strength the modern woman holds. She can be a high power executive or run a country. There is something strong about the woman who wants to be a mother, the best mother she can be and stays home to provide for them. She holds a unique strength that no man can touch...

The second showing to the cast or in some rehearsal (who knows, they all run together) I ad- libbed something about "Well, we all need a little help sometimes? Am I right?" There are two sides to every coin and each sword is double edged. While the women in the audience may boo the Damsel in all her whimsy and glorified submission...the fact remains, we all need help from others (be it women OR dare I say, men?) sometimes. While the Warrior Princess appears mighty and all powerful in comparison to the Damsel...perhaps it is just that I am more aware of my womanly charm and use it to my advantage? Is that not powerful? OR maybe the Warrior Princess isn’t all she seems...while she acts like a tough guy she really isn’t that much more advanced...she still needs her red lipstick and compact mirror. Maybe it is in fact the Damsel who is more honest? She knows what she is and gets what she wants using it? OR maybe the two are different as night and day and one SHOULD win and the other SHOULD lose? I don’t know...

But I’ve enjoyed figuring it out. Maybe this is just me being the actor sympathizing with my character, but I’d be hard pressed to find woman that didn’t have a little bit of damsel in her. :) And it doesn’t have to be such a bad thing! :)

And just for dramaturgical shits and giggles folks, CHECK OUT THESE GORGEOUS LADIES OF WRESTLING:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qiXafKF9XCU


Tuesday, June 23, 2009

Catholicism and Why I Like Jokes That Degrade Women

From Katie Mo:

Why did the woman cross the road?

wait...what's that bitch doing out of the kitchen?

Jokes about women make me laugh until my sides hurt, I really don't like anything in the genre of "chick flick" and often wish to uppercut Betty Crocker in the face. Isn't she dead? How does she keep coming up with new things to put cheese on? Suck it Crocker.

I think my aversion to being the ideal woman started during Catholic education classes in grade school. The teacher would always talk about these great things the men did in the bible: David, Jonah, Jesus, Paul, Peter...(I think I'm just naming random names now and hoping that they are in the Bible). We never talked about women except for Mary and certain saints whose purpose was to nurse the men back to health or pop out babies, I don't quite remember. But, I do remember this one fine day in 6th grade, the teacher was asking us to pick our saint name for Confirmation. Most of the girls were picking saints like, Grace: the saint of loving animals or Katherine: the saint of being lame. I asked the teacher why there weren't any saints who slayed dragons or pillaged villages? She said that they were, but they were harlots and was asked to choose a more "acceptable" woman figure to follow.

Acceptable? I think a whore that blows shit up is way more acceptable than a woman who is there to serve the men around her. I know plenty of chicks who find jokes that degrade women offensive, but seriously, you're offending all women if you can't find the humor in it.

Now, raise your hand if you like boobies!

Wednesday, June 17, 2009

Question about Joyce Carol Oats quote on female boxers

From Rachel:

In Women's Boxing and Related Activities: Introducing Images and Meaning by Jennifer Hargreaves, the author includes the following in her conclusion

"Novelist Joyce Carol Oates explicitly rejects the idea that female boxing could be a subversive activity when she declares, 'The female boxer... cannot be taken seriously. She is parody, she is cartoon, she is monstrous.'" 

Thoughts?


Link to article: http://ejmas.com/jalt/jaltart_hargreaves_0901.htm.  Or click title of posting.

Female Fighting


From Rachel:

Highlighting a great website Lorraine found recounting the history of female combat.  Just spent my morning coffee time surfing around this site, taking in some articles here and there.   Highly recommend it if you are involved with creating this project.  (Certainly also recommend if you are just catching this posting.)  Link below or click on the title of this posting.

http://www.fscclub.com/history/zhened-old.shtml

In particular there is a a link on the main page to an article on women's boxing.  Riveting.  The author aims to examine the relationship between the physical body (and its use) and how meaning and identity is derived from it and shaped by it.  Are we not attempting to amplify and exaggerate these meanings/identities in BBWSF?  And in doing so, we therefore create new meanings/identities? Not trying to imply this production is so overtly politically and socially active, or that it is so academically minded. But as I wrestle with what "exploiting" means (when I hear the show "exploits women and violence") this is what I think it can result in: capitalizing on the existence accepted (social?) beliefs.... over-inflating them for the purposes of showing their flaws, their falseness.


Saturday, June 13, 2009

Stronger core makes a stronger fighter

From Rachel:

Promised I would send this out to everyone. You can do many of these without the exercise ball, so don't use the lack of one as an excuse!

I can also say that if you only do four of the exercises (squats, push ups, lunges, and plank... and if you can with five to the triceps dip) it will still be a tremendous help.

Do 3 sets of 10 reps of each exercise to start. I recommend alternating between moves in pairs (do 10 reps of one, 10 reps of another, back to the first one, and so on...).

Wednesday, June 10, 2009

Normal Breasts


This is a thermographic image of healthy "normal" breasts.  

Science is cool.

Can't stop thinkin' about the boobies

From Katie Mo:

So, I've done a lot of collaborative work before (Hello, Ryan Whinnem), but never have I been asked to jump right into a scene and just, do it. Now, I have little to no stage combat experience so when I found out I would be swordfighting, with a broadsword nonetheless my first question was, "umm...did I lie on my resume?" Luckily I did not...this time ;) But seriously. I am scared/excited out of my skull to run around with my left boob hanging out whilst waving a sword around.

So after talking about the scene, Lorraine just tells Katie N. and I to go at it with imaginary swords (yes, the two Katies in the show are both Amazons. I'll try not to make it confusing). Before we started, Katie N. and I were whispering furiously on the sidelines, "should this be funny? is this dramatic? what's going on? shit, we're starting...just do it!" And...we did. Seemed like an awkward dance routine at first, but I speak for myself when I say that the second time around felt like we were actually headed in the right direction. If there is a "right" direction. I think there is a fine line between comedy/drama in this scene and the trick will be how to touch on both without making the audience feel too uncomfortable...or maybe that's the point of the act?

I was so pumped after rehearsal that I couldn't sleep. I was practicing rolls in my apartment and definitely kicked a chair down. I felt like fuckin' Chuck Norris.

I digress...I'm so excited to work with this talented group of female artists!

Sunday, June 7, 2009

The decision to bare breasts

From Rachel:

When Lorraine first proposed doing a vaudeville show centered around women sword fighting topless, my first reaction was "yeah!" My second reaction was "and I'll be one of them!" And so for almost a year now I have been gearing up for my unveiling.

My husband took the announcement in stride.  As did my parents.  My tattooed and pierced younger sister was slightly scandalized, but accepting.

It was a novelty to share at first.  Fun to mention at parties or over drinks.  Responded to with slightly awed confusion by females friends, and masked anticipation by male friends. 

Then it came out in a public conversation with co-workers that included my boss.  Suddenly it became clear that it was more ... challenging... to tell some people. It was not about gender, age, station, or relationship per say. The words would just suddenly stick in my throat and I would have to almost rest by swallowing them back down so they could pop up and out quicker: "OursummershowisBareBreastedWomenSwordFrightingavaudevilleandIamgoingtobeswordfightingtopless." 

Despite my confident airs, over the winter I began to get fucking freaked out about the idea of upwards of 1,000 people who I either knew well, in passing, or would see again knowing what I looked like without my shirt and bra on.  I started telling Lorraine  that I needed to practice fighting without my shirt on with just the two of us. Even our first night together tooling around with choreography I made a HUGE deal about working through a sequence once without a shirt on.  And I was so embarrassed.  Me--the woman who walks around the gym locker room nude smirking inside at other women who try to cover themselves with 3 or 4 washcloth-sized towels.

Then two weeks ago after a promo photo shoot, I was flipping through images of me in just a skirt, thrusting and parrying with a rapier in the stage light and I realized: What the heck is my problem?  I rock!  I am collaborating with my close friend and conspirator to realize a vision for a show she has been dreaming about for years.  I am making this show with an ensemble of talented, witty, beautiful female theatre artists.   I am taking off my shirt and wielding a sword to show off my breasts and my fierceness.   I am an amazing, confident, strong woman.   And a we enter rehearsal I know that this is one of the more empowering decisions of my adult life thus far.

Stop the whining.  Start the stripping.

Bring it.