PRESS RELEASE - Unbecoming
Our Own Voice Theatre Troupe will present Unbecoming June 28 - 30 at TheatreWorks. This original theatre production, written and directed by Alex Cooke, and choreographed by Kimberly Baker, explores our cultural concept of physical beauty and how it affects the way we feel about ourselves. Combining provocative satire with poignant personal testimony, the production examines how the mass media and the multi-million dollar fashion industry create ideals that prevent us from feeling positive about our own bodies.
Director Alex Cooke has been developing the concept for this production for over a year. In a series of workshops he conducted with the troupe in March, he explored with company members how they felt about their bodies and how images from advertising and entertainment have had an impact on those feelings. Unbecoming seeks to provoke both laughter and indignation by juxtaposing the personal material of this " affected" group of people against a broadly satiric representation of the image mongers behind the beauty magazines, diet and fitness infomercials, and the cosmetics industry. Material from the Unbecoming Workshop series, including autobiographical writings from participants, formed the raw material for the script Cooke has devised.
Alex Cooke has been an Our Own Voice company member since 1997, when at age 16 he appeared as a psychiatrist in Computrix’s Landing Affair (for everybody). He has subsequently become an indispensable part of the company, acting in numerous productions including Common Ground and Ephemera. He also designed the lights and/or set for such shows as Rituals, The Fever, and Supergroups A+. Last year, he co-authored Ephemera with company director, Bill Baker, and he directed his first production, the e. e. cummings one-act, Santa Claus. He is currently working on a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst.
Kimberly Baker has been a performer and choreographer with Our Own Voice Theatre Troupe since 1993. She has worked with the company to develop dance based on the personal experiences of company members in such productions as Rituals, Common Ground, and experiMENTAL movement. In addition, her work in preventive wellness through her job as Manager of Child Life Education and Movement at the Hope and Healing Center has provided a valuable perspective on the issues of body image and self esteem that this production addresses.
The production of Unbecoming is funded in part by a grant from the Memphis Arts Council and the Tennessee Art Commission. Performances will be at TheatreWorks (2085 Monroe in Overton Square) on Friday June 28 and Saturday June 29 at 8 PM and Sunday June 30 at 3:00 PM.
Admission will be $10 general admission and $8 for students and senior citizens. The Sunday matinee is a special pay-what-you-can show.
For reservations or more information, please contact Our Own Voice at (901)274-1000.