from How We G.L.O.W. by

from How We G.L.O.W.

by Posted on

A project that seeks to amplify the voices of lgbtq+ youth through interview theater. Co-created by Emily Schorr Lesnick.

DramaGallatin Arts FestivalMA Program
 

PART I: My Identity

RYAN DE LA CRUZ

so
I identify as
a gay
female
um
for some reason I’ve always been uncomfortable with the word lesbian
like it really took me a while to work up to saying that word
and
sorry
what was the second part of the question?

SHANTANA

oh
um
like right now I’m claiming no label
because
um
I feel like
I
dress very masculine
but I also feel very feminine—
feminine
and I don’t
want
to
be
considered only masculine
or feminine
I feel like I’m like a mix of both
so
I just go with no label
does that answer that?

ANDREA LI

I identify as a
person who does not
pause
who does not belong to the
female or male part of the g-
gender
binary

MB

it took me
maybe
two years
to figure it out?
like I started off like saying
I think I am because I realized that I liked girls as well
it was around middle school
and um
at one point
I was like
okay
I’m definitely attracted to girls
I’m definitely attracted to boys
and then
and even later when I found out about the whole spectrum of genders
there was no difference in my attractions

As MB speaks, the rest of the cast looks at her.

ANDREA LI

ze for first person
spelled z-ezir
spelled z-i-r for third person

ROCCO

mhm
I would
describe my identity
like a modified form of bisexual I guess
um
it’s
um
I don’t really see the entire point of fitting people into l–
into boxes and into labels

ANDREA LI

my mother wanted me
wanted me to be
wanted me to be a girly girl growing up
but it didn’t fit me

“The How We G.L.O.W. project seeks to amplify the voices of lgbtq+ youth through interview theater. Creators and partners Jamila Humphrie and Emily Schorr Lesnick completed 21 interviews with young people about their identities, the labels they claim or create, and the biggest issues facing their communities. Now, with a small cast playing multiple roles, these stories are coming to life, with a script made entirely of the words from the interviews. Additionally, actors play multiple parts and transform between characters throughout the show. This art form blurs the line between the individual and community, inviting the audience to challenge their notions of identity and performance. By learning about how these young people G.L.O.W. (Gay, Lesbian or Whatever), we hope audiences will leave with a desire to work in solidarity with young people towards structural changes that support their identities. The project is part of Jamila’s Master’s Thesis at Gallatin.”

“How We G.L.O.W.” will be presented at the Jerry H. Labowitz Theatre for the Performing Arts on Tuesday, April 12 at 9:00 p.m. as part of the 2016 Gallatin Arts Festival.

 
Back to Top