June 2017 Member Update: About Face Theater - Excerpt from Brave Like Them
Act I Scene 13
DANNI enters the space. They have changed their clothes. They sport a Bikini Kill pin
CHRIS
Hey! You came!
DANNI
Yea, just on my way to the Crocodile
NOA
Well, I didn’t think you would show. This is interesting
DANNI
Yea, I just can’t stay.
COE
Danni! This is great. This is SO great
DANNI
Hey, Coe. Yea, I was just telling them-
COE
I was telling Noa earlier that I wasn't sure if you were going to come and they were like “No WAY Danni will show” but I knew you would. I knew you were the real deal. I told them-
DANNI
Coe, I can’t stay. I’m just dropping by on my way to-
COE
Why can’t you stay? We’re opening tonight. Well, maybe headlining if the other band doesn't show up soon.
DANNI
I have plans. To meet someone. At the-
COE
Crocodile?
DANNI
Yea.
COE
Hm. Is Hannah playing tonight?
DANNI
Yea, she’s opening for Excuse 17
NOA
They suck
CHRIS
Noa, you suck
A stare off...then a play fight between the two.
COE
Danni, do you believe in that stuff?
DANNI
What stuff?
COE
Hannah’s leadership of the movement. All of that “we don't assimilate to male standards of what is or isn't.” and “we see fostering and supporting girl scenes and girl artists of all kinds as integral to this process.”
DANNI
I see someone’s read the manifesto...
COE
I’ve been to one or two shows, yea. And you know who I see there? Cis people. And not just cis girls. I see cis white hetero normative posers. I don’t see anyone who looks like me. Who looks like you.
NOA
Like us
COE
Danni, listen. Did you hear anywhere in that manifesto anything about racial justice? Anything about embracing intersections of gender? Anything highlighting the work of queer, black and brown identities to this movement? Danni, did you hear yourself represented anywhere in this manifesto? Represented at those shows? (Pause) I’ve seen your writing. I’ve seen where your head's at. I’ve had a glimpse of what your angry about, of where you want to see change. And I know how you can use it.
CHRIS picks up a bass guitar and brings it over. He hands it to DANNI
DANNI
What? No, no way. I’ve never even held one of these before
NOA
Neither had we until a few months ago
COE
This is what it’s all about. This whole movement.
DANNI
I can’t play
CHRIS
Neither can Noa
NOA
Shut up!
COE
Danni. Do you want to be in the crowd, or do you want to be in the movement? You can’t do both. And you can’t be a part of a movement that fails you every day by not representing you. Are you angry?
DANNI
Yes
COE hands DANNI the guitar
COE
Then do something about it
CHRIS
Believe, with your wholeheartmindbody that you constitute a revolutionary soul force that can, and will change the world. For real.
DANNI considers this. They stick their arm out for CHRIS to hand the guitar off. DANNI puts it on, waits a moment, then strums a bass chord, loud and booming.
BLACKOUT
