At the end of 9MM America, the company makes a call to action: Girls are asked to control their hair, their body, and most of all themselves, but instead put them in control of the gun debate and we will get somewhere.
9MM America: A theatrical uprising against gun violence by Girl Be Heard features monologues, scenes, music and dance all written and choreographed by the company members. The show opens with children playing Ring around the Rosie on a playground, projected on a large screen. You cringe at how vulnerable they are. After all, this is a show about gun violence in America. And we know in America, efforts to protect them are usurped by NRA lobbyists, 2nd amendment illusionists, and the members of congress in those respective pockets.
The company enters from the shadows with a step dance choreographed by company member Karen Vigo. This dance is followed by the song "Mother, I Am A Soldier," written by Aya Abdelaziz, which pays homage to the different heritages that make up American neighborhoods. These pieces act as threads that the company members return to as they break off and tell personal stories of how their lives and communities have been affected by gun violence.
By the time Monica Furman takes the stage as The Hunter, written by Tiff Roma, you are ready to look at, dare I say, the lighter side of the gun debate. Furman's polite plea for access to property for the hunt unravels to a near salivating description of all of her hunting paraphernalia and that "sweet spot" where the bullet should hit the game, doing a service for you, for her, the hunter, and for the animal. Furman handles this beautifully.
Dominique Fishback portrays a teen boy profiled by police and later as "mental" America in a straight jacket, speaking the truth about America's addiction to violence and facts about the trafficking of money and arms to other countries.
One vignette is a duet written and performed by Melanie David and Betsy Perez. David courageously tells of life after her
brother was shot and killed. Betsy Perez describes those events her father didn't make it to, events just an arm's length further than the gun he had access to and with which he took his own life. David beautifully sings ONE, a song she wrote as a plea to end gun violence around the world.
This is a company of talented and powerful writers and performers. Other stand out performances include "Little Alex" by Breanie Michele, Jai Raphael in Columbine Mind, and Nykemah Warren as the girl hiding the gun in "When They Found It."
I am a gun control activist but my last action was tweeting to every congressman and woman who voted "no" on Manchin-Toomey. Waiting for this performance to start on Sunday, I realized I could be calling congress people, doing something. Even though the majority of Americans support stricter legislation, your congress people don't seem to believe it unless they hear from you. The Newtown tragedy just had its 6 month anniversary. We tend to have a short attention span, and it is easy to not think about how gun violence is playing out every day. It's so unpleasant, and if you don't see it, then is it happening? It is. Follow the lead of Girls Be Heard and do something.
Girl Be Heard is a not-for-profit theater collective and educational program. Their curriculum develops and strengthens girls' voices.
9MM America, directed by Ashley Marinacco and produced by Jessica Greer Morris is playing at the Robert Moss Theatre, 440 Lafayette Street as part of Planet Connections Theater Festivity. Remaining dates are Tuesday, June 18 at 3:30 and Wednesday, June 19 at 8. Visit girlbeheard.org
