Z Space presents THE WHOLEHEARTED this September

Z Space continues its commitment to bringing the most innovative new theatre works to the Bay Area with New York City's Stein | Holum Projects and their acclaimed performance piece, The Wholehearted, September 7-10 in San Francisco.

Inspired by the lives of iconic women in sports and boxing history, The Wholehearted is a high-octane, one-woman play that tells the story of Dee Crosby, a fictitious world champion boxer hell bent on redemption after being taKen Down in her prime by her abusive husband. Sitting ringside, spectators are transported into Dee's memory as she tackles the complexities of love, glorification of violence, and intricacies of her own mind. Fast-paced and heartbreaking, The Wholeheartedfeatures live-action camera work combined with fight choreography to elevate this into an unconventional comeback story that prompts spectators to question what it means to be a hero inside and outside the ring.

The Wholehearted features live-action video presented on jumbotron-style screens and seating that evokes a boxing ring.

Although all roles are played by Stein | Holum Project's performer/director Suli Holum, the play is "more a duet between Suli and the cameraperson," says writer/director Deborah Stein. "We think a lot about the relationship between Dee and the camera, the real camera on stage, the camera in her mind, the movies, and the life that she thinks she's starring in."

Dee, in the process of overcoming a ruptured relationship, carries the memories of other characters with her throughout the work. In order to tell her complex story, Holum and Stein researched ways in which the brain interprets trauma. "The idea that I'm playing a bunch of different characters came partially out of our research of trauma," says Holum. "Having one person play all these characters is a poem about how we carry people with us [in our memories], the people who have affected us - we carry them with us in our bodies."

"It is quite something to sit in a theatre space which has been completely transformed into a boxing ring, and to witness the fierce personal story of the multifaceted Dee Crosby," said Z Space Artistic Director Lisa Steindler. "This is a story, brought forth from The Shadows, about a female boxer and the pain and brutality she experienced in and outside the ring. I am honored to be able to share this with our Bay Area audience."

The Wholehearted is made possible with funding by the New England Foundation for the Arts' National Theater Project, with lead funding from the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation.

The Wholehearted was commissioned and first presented by ArtsEmerson: The World On Stage in April 2014. A late-stage completion residency and performances was provided by Z Space in San Francisco in August 2016. Additional workshop residencies have been provided by HERE, the Lower Manhattan Cultural Council (Swing Space), the Orchard Project, Kelly Strayhorn, Philadelphia FringeArts, Swarthmore College Project in Theatre, New Dramatists Creativity Fund (with the support of the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation), and JACK (with the support of the Brooklyn Arts Council).

Credits - The Wholehearted

Conceived and Created by Stein | Holum Projects

Written and Directed by Deborah Stein

Performed and Directed by Suli Holum

Camera Work by Stivo Arnoczy

Sound Design by Matt Hubbs and James Sugg

Original Music by James Sugg

Dramaturg and Creative Producer: P. Carl

Set Design: Amy Rubin

Video Design: Kate Freer and Dave Tennent

Lighting Design: Stephen Arnold

Costume Design: Angela Harner

About Z Space

Z Space is a catalyst for innovative new works in multiple artistic disciplines. We nurture emerging and established artists, providing the resources and community necessary to catapult their work to the highest levels of excellence. Z Space curates an adventurous arts hub, hosting transformative, exciting, and affordable new works year round. Our space is a rigorous environment where artists collaborate to create risky, adventurous, and innovative work. Audiences from everywhere come here to revel in premiere Theatre, dance, visual art, music, and performance art, often combined in novel permutations. We welcome those eager for challenges and exploration of new forms. We seek art that illuminates something new about ourselves and the world we inhabit.

Photo credit: Kate Freer

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