"Twelfth Night?" ~ "Women-at-Arms", 2003
"Disarm" ~ rehearsal for "Gloria", 2000
"In the dirt" ~ "A Double-edged Sword", 2001
Training
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A peculiar "Lady Cavalier Theatre" exists in New York, nonprofit organization that was founded to promote a stronger female image and raise awareness of historical women warriors through original works that specialize in the art of theatrical combat. Through its productions and educational workshops the company aims to challenge the stereotype of the "weaker sex". Since 2000 the theater has produced GLORIA, a swashbuckling fairy tale, which won the Genie Award for Outstanding Original Production; BOLD IN 'ER BREECHES, about the C18th female pirates, Anne Bonny and Mary Read, in collaboration with the South Street Seaport Museum; two short films, A DOUBLE-EDGED SWORD and TEA BEFORE HONOUR, both based on actual duels between women; and the annual WOMEN-AT-ARMS FESTIVAL a celebration of historical women warriors and modern action heroines in both NYC and LA.
The company encourage playwrights to develope new pieces by holding STAGED READINGS of new plays that feature women in strong roles or tell the true stories of women throughout history. They also lead theatrical combat WORKSHOPS serving many other organizations.
There is a distinct lack of theatrical material about female warriors, which directly relates to the long-standing misconception that women are not physically capable of combat. Many plays have been written about male warriors, heroes, and kings from the Greeks onward. These plays are done time and again and the men who perform in them repeatedly use and sharpen their skills. Women, however, have far more difficulty using these talents, as there are few outlets for performance. The "damsel in distress" and the "knight in shining armor" image has been so ingrained in us that it's difficult for many to see the knight as anyone other than a man.
Historically, however, women have been leading armies, fighting in battles on land and sea, and challenging each other to honorable duels for centuries; yet they have scarcely been recorded. Queen Boudica of ancient Britain, pirate captain Hsi Kai Ching, and the nineteenth century warriors of the African Kingdom of Dahomey, are just three examples of the many women who have fought bravely and passionately for what they believe. Through instructive workshops the company strives to increase public awareness of these historical women warriors and teach the practical skills needed to execute stage violence safely and convincingly.
Perfectly designed WEB site contains a lot of information and references related to female warriors.
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"Strangle" ~ '"Women-at-Arms", 2004
"Rigging fight" ~ "Bold in 'Er Breeches", 2001
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