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PROJECT GIRL PERFORMANCE COLLECTIVE
Project Girl Performance Collective creates a fearless space for girls to write and perform their own work.
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
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
The Panzi Hospital Foundation heard about Project Girl
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
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