The Stockyards Theatre Project, which calls itself “the only theatre company in Chicago dedicated exclusively to feminist/femaleist theatre and performance art,” presents its second annual showcase of woman-centered drama, storytelling, dance, improv, stand-up comedy, and other performance genres. Topics addressed range from rape, pregnancy, and madness to lesbianism, the beauty industry, and multiple orgasms. Running November 30 through December 2, the event features three evenings consisting of five to eight presentations each. All shows take place at Link’s Hall, 3435 N. Sheffield. Performance times are Friday and Saturday at 8 PM and Sunday at 7 PM (scheduled times for individual presentations on each evening are listed below). Admission to each show is $10; a three-day pass is available for $20. For reservations and more information, call 773-377-5001, ext. 6487.
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 30
I Dance With a Dress
Project Danztheatre presents Ellyzabeth Adler’s comic dance-theater piece about situations in which women must wear fancy dresses. 8 PM.
I Began Smoking Because of a Boy
Temple Lentz’s solo piece concerns her experiences with cigarettes and men. 8:10 PM.
Out of Cuntrol
Pamela Chermansky and Lori Sherlock employ storytelling, song, and movement to portray the “delightfully deranged” relationship of an aunt and her niece. 8:30 PM.
Quiet Torrential Sound
Joan Ackermann’s short play about two vacationing sisters discussing multiple orgasms is directed by Genevieve Hurst. 8:45 PM.
The Real-Life Adventures of Lizzy and Rilla
Katie Carrey’s short play concerns two women resisting the beauty industry in favor of being who they want to be. 9 PM.
Statistic
Maggie Anderson’s solo performance is based on statistics indicating that one woman in four is a rape survivor. 9:20 PM.
Winter Genesis
J.M. Johnson’s short story about a woman’s “awakening of intelligence” is the basis for this dance-theater piece adapted by Gillian Gibson. 9:30 PM.
The Perfect Package
Jill Elaine Hughes’s play concerns how the friendship of two women is affected when one of them reveals she’s a lesbian. 9:50 PM.
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 1
Musings: A Compilation of the Hopes, Dreams, and Fears of Young Women
Jaclyn Biskup choreographed this movement-based performance piece based on young women’s accounts of their struggle to balance professional aspirations and relationships. 8 PM.
Concrete Shoelaces: A Dysfunctional’s Garden of Verse
Lori Howard and Tina Paraventi perform selections from Kit Paraventi’s collection of “contemporary sonnets on unconventional topics.” 8:10 PM.
Transformations
The Common Air Theatre Company performs a theatrical adaptation of poems by Anne Sexton. 8:25 PM.
The B Word
The Art Riot Theatrical Company, based in Washington, D.C., presents Dolores Whiskeyman’s comedic monologue about the word “bitch.” 8:45 PM.
Fetal Dreams
Jill Elaine Hughes’s solo piece explores nightmares about infertility and unplanned pregnancy. 9:05 PM.
Dear Sugar and Spice
Robyn Okrant and Christine Sinacore lead an audience-participation improvisation exploring questions published in women’s magazines. 9:25 PM.
I Was Here, Too
M.T. Cozzola’s partly improvised solo piece is based on her relationships with friends, family, and “the world at large.” 9:45 PM.
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 2
I Dance With a Dress
See listing for 8 PM Friday. 7 PM.
A Mugging
Sherry Legare’s solo piece recounts her experience being mugged. 7:10 PM.
Final Placement
Ara Watson’s short play concerns a woman trying to reclaim the child taken from her by a government family-services program. 7:25 PM.
American Cowgirl
Kristin Goodman’s storytelling piece tells of a young girl learning responsibility in New Mexico’s Rio Grande valley. 7:45 PM.
Scream
Cate Mannion performs Imma J. Curl’s monodrama about a woman helplessly watching her daughter burn to death. 8:05 PM.