WUNRN

http://www.wunrn.com

PROJECT GIRL PERFORMANCE COLLECTIVE

http://projectgirlperformancecollective.org/

Project Girl Performance Collective creates a fearless space for girls to write and perform their own work.

Blaise Sandberg, Zoe Wolf, Emily Rupp, Dominique Fishback and Lillian Rodriguez in a Project Girl Rehearsal

What We Do

Project Girl Performance Collective (PGPC) was established in August 2008 when founder Ashley Marinaccio and a fellow graduate school classmates at NYU’s Tisch School for the Arts, were asked to write and produce a show about girls for the Estrogenius Theatre Festival, an annual event at the Manhattan Theatre Source.  Twelve young women, ages 13-17, from various racial and socioeconomic backgrounds, were cast.  It became clear at the first rehearsal that the show would be more meaningful if written by the girls. The producers realized right away that giving young women the opportunity to create their own work, would not only spark exciting theatre, but would empower these teens to think critically, challenge stereotypes, foster friendships, and build tools for bringing about positive change in their own communities.

The showcase created in 2008, consisting solely of work written by the teen cast, titled Girl Power: Voices of a Generation addressed issues of identity, the media, bullying, body image, family relationships, religion, and love and was accepted into the 2009 New York City International Fringe Festival. While Girl Power: Voices of a Generation received rave reviews at the Fringe Festival, the producers barely broke even and realized they needed additional help to sustain PGPC.  Playwright and producer, Jessica Greer Morris, was brought in to help brand the Collective and develop a strategic plan to raise the visibility of PGPC and raise funds to sustain the work. 

PGPC’s annual call for auditions in September 2010 brought girls from as far as Washington DC, Pennsylvania, Connecticut and New Jersey, revealing the critical need to create a safe space for girls to write and perform their own work.  Since PGPC has rehearsals every weekend, new members from other States must endure long commutes (often 2-3 hours one-way).  The Collective breeds loyalty (returning members take on more responsibility within the Collective as Assistant Directors) and commitment for good reason.  PGPC promises and delivers a transformative, mentoring experience in the areas of writing, performance, directing and provides a safe space for self-expression.

Girl Power: Survival of the Fittest, which debuted in the 2010 NYC Fringe Festival, caught the attention of community organizations, teachers, theatre professionals, casting directors, national media and publications. As a result PGPC was invited to perform for 1600 middle and high school kids at the New Jersey State Theatre and for over 1000 diplomatic representatives from around the world at the United Nations in spring, 2011.

 In fall 2010, Project Girl Performance Collective began to tackle global issues and developed a new initiative called Voices Without Borders. The objective of PGPC’s new global initiative breaks theatrical borders by connecting Project Girls with youth leaders from around the world who are actively engaged in creating change in their local communities. This summer marked the first workshop of Voices Without Borders: Project Girl Congo, which addresses human rights violations in the ‘rape capital of the world,’ the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), and donated all proceeds to Man Up Campaign’s initiative in the DRC.

The Panzi Hospital Foundation heard about Project Girl Congo and invited PGPC to take the show on tour to raise awareness about genocide and human rights issues that will debut at the Richmond Holocaust Museum in Virginia on April 7, 2011.  Proceeds from the show will provide funding for reparative surgery at Panzi Hospital in Congo for women and girls who have been brutally raped.

 In an industry where nonprofit theaters produce plays by men more than five times as frequently as ones by women Project Girl Performance Collective gives young women the tools and support to be the next generation of theatre artists and arts professionals. By providing opportunities for young women we aim to build gender parity both in and out of the theatre. Art imitates life. PGPC’s objective is to cultivate the voices of girls and create the next generation of theatre artists while creating pieces that actively promote social change.

Through weekly workshops, Project Girl Performance Collective offers a creative and productive outlet to meet and discuss the challenges that young women face.  PGPC performances include a talk back that gives audience members the opportunity to engage with actors about the creative process and inspiration behind their work.

 As working and professional directors, playwrights, actors, activists and intellectuals, the Collective is committed to mentoring the next generation of artists so that women’s voices are visible in American theatre and on the global stage. PGPC is committed to providing a safe space for girls to create, discuss, vent, build relationships, educate themselves and experience the power of art in create lasting social change. Most importantly, Project Girl Performance Collective helps young women realize that their voices are important.

PGPC workshops have resulted in several critically acclaimed shows in New York City, including exclusive engagements at the United Nations and regional theaters.  This year, the company is developing a curriculum to expand Project Girl workshops for educators and community leaders working with youth who want to empower girls through theater, locally and globally.

Download Our Program
Project Girl brings workshops and productions to schools, theaters, corporations and a wide variety of community-based organizations locally and abroad.
PGPC One Sheet.pdf