The Word Of The Day: Resilience- One Women Shows Take Center Stage at Irondale

Irondale, Brooklyn's leading theatrical ensemble producing immersive and non-traditional performance experiences, will present the inaugural "She Stands Alone," an all-female week-long series, January 18-20 and 25-2. Performed back to back, alternating each night, writer and performer Lee Harrington presents Jellybean, and actress Vickie Tanner will present Running Into Me.

On theme, a special screening of Alyson Cornyn's documentary Incorrigibles will take place January 24, followed by a panel discussion. The "She Stands Alone" series brings audiences on a roller coaster ride of tragedy, triumphs, grace, and coming of age despite unbelievable circumstances.

 

With a focus on increasingly diverse programming for their 35th Season, "She Stands Alone" invites two distinguished female artists for 6 shows to emphasize the importance of emerging women's voices. The series is an extension of Irondale's "Not Normal: Art in the Time of Trump," that invited theatrical activists to present politically charged works last March.

 

"In being committed to presenting works that are reflective of our times, this new series brings attention to women's voices in a unique time," says Terry Greiss, Executive Director of Irondale. "It is important that these uniquely talented women be seen and heard, and it is with great pride that we welcome them into our space this winter as part of our 35th Anniversary year."

 

Originally premiered in 2015 at the New York International Fringe Festival, Jellybean is Harrington's remarkable story of a challenging childhood, complete with hilarious and painful moments, related through a colorful sense of humor. From a mentally unwell mother, who renamed herself Jellybean, to living in 13 states, attending seven schools, and living with over a dozen foster families, this story is one of triumph in the face of challenging odds. Coping with insurmountable obstacles through humor, Harrington shows the art of finding silver linings everywhere-this one-woman show is a light, casual and friendly account of a large collection of dark anecdotes.

 

Irondale will also produce Vickie Tanner in Running Into Me, a solo performance based on Ms. Tanner's own compelling journey from a misguided upbringing in Compton to New York City. A vivid portrayal of her own odyssey, the work is a rollercoaster ride inside the minds of young people, a drug and prison culture, and its broader impacts. Bringing to life 15 different characters from her troubled past, her work explores the very timely and relevant themes of family, fear, race, courage, rebellion, social responsibility and most importantly, love, which ultimately helped her to define herself and defy the odds.

 

Additionally, for one-night-only, Irondale will also present a special screening of Alyson Cornyn's moving documentary Incorrigibles, with a community conversation to follow. A look into the complexities of juvenile justice and child services for teenage girls over the last 100 years, the story draws upon personal narratives and emotional implications of experience of women who were formerly incarcerated at the New York State Training School for Girls from 1904-1974. A collection of women, speaking from their experiences, will lead the dialogue following the film's presentation.

 

She Stands Alone Schedule

 

January 18-20 and 25- 27, 7:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. - Lee Harrington's Jellybean and Vickie Tanner's Running into Me (The order of productions will alternate each evening)

 

January 24, 7:30 p.m.- Alyson Cornyn's Documentary Incorrigibles

 

VENUE INFORMATION

Irondale is located at 85 South Oxford Street in Brooklyn, New York. The theater is accessible by Subway: C to Lafayette; B, D, M, N, Q, R, 2, 3, 4, or 5 to Atlantic Avenue/Pacific Street; and G to Fulton Street.

 

ABOUT IRONDALE

Located in the heart of the Downtown Brooklyn Cultural District, Irondale is the home of the Irondale Ensemble Project. It is a theatre ensemble, a performance think-tank and a collaborative laboratory for non-traditional artists. Irondale's unique and transformational space has gained much attention as a place for both established and emerging artists to premiere major projects and showcase developing work. The Irondale Ensemble Project was founded in 1983 by Jim Niesen, Terry Greiss, and Barbara Mackenzie-Wood and is one of the longest established permanent ensemble theaters in the country. The ensemble has created over 60 Off-Broadway productions from intimate chamber productions of Shakespeare to company devised epic work. Irondale's learning programs provide high quality, cutting-edge workshops and school residencies designed to develop the artist in every human being.