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.