SCOWL
The Brick, 2019
When The Riarchy Corporation bought out the majority shares in SCOWL they instituted rule after rule, seeming to punish those most in need of support. Pushed to the edge it's up to former SCOWL champion April Rain and a motley crew of trans and nonbinary warriors to defeat the Riarchy Corporation in a best of three competition. If they win Riarchy Corporation owner Pat Riarchy will give up his shares in SCOWL and dissolve the Riarchy corporation. But if she loses, April, and all members of the SCOWL roster will have to present and compete as their sex assigned at birth or leave SCOWL. SCOWL: Fight For Your Rights is an action packed theatrical presentation combining stage combat choreography, acrobatics, and mixed media to create queer and trans inclusive theatrical performance with a sports appeal.
Written by Ashley Lauren Rogers
Directed by David Charles
Fight Direction by Nathan Oesterle
Featuring performances by Sylas Barrett, Gabby Barrios, Gladys Hendricks, Jesse Rose Krebs, Michael McGuire, Ashley Lauren Rogers, Gabriel Spector, Rachel Weekley
Director’s Note:
I was particularly interested in working on the project, because queer people are often placed in boxes of what is and isn’t expected of them, especially when it comes to trans people and athletics. I was thrilled to have the opportunity to help the playwright tell the story of trans and nonbinary athletes and provide opportunities for trans and nonbinary actors to perform as characters that not only match their gender identity, but that also get to perform intricate fight choreography.