A month of inspiring and empowering stories.
Words and Image courtesy of The Z.
Zeiders American Dream Theater (The Z) in Town Center under the leadership of Executive Director Terry Flint, Series Producer, Elizabeth Terrell and Community Liaison Sibel Galindez, is pleased to have produced and present: She’s a BrickHouse: A Performing Arts Celebration of Stories about and by Women.
2020 marked the 100-year anniversary of the passage of the 19th Amendment establishing American women’s right to vote. It was critical to The Z to include a celebration of women in their 2020-21 Season. She’s a BrickHouse is a full month of FREE performing arts offerings & panel discussions. Get the inside scoop from Jennifer Herrera, Vice President of External Affairs at the National Women’s History Museum, about their rich online collection, the largest of its kind, and its role in getting our nation closer to a brick and mortar building dedicated to women’s history, and from Dr. Karen Sherry of the Virginia Museum of History & Culture about the origin of Women’s History Month and Virginian women who shaped our Commonwealth and nation. Then SEE IT HERE FIRST: Enjoy a new musical excerpt about Frances Perkins, the woman behind FDR’s New Deal. Reflect on Broken Dolls, a new play about the lives of women experiencing human trafficking. Delight in an evening of 20th Century songs through a 21st Century lens. Participate in a community art project born of this celebration of women!
When the pandemic hit, The Z’s Community Liaison, Sibel Galindez, had time to think about something that had been gnawing at her. Watching one of her favorite classic Hollywood films, It Happened One Night, she was struck by the outdated and sexist portrayal of the female character. It was something she had not noticed until that very moment and she wondered if others might be seeing these anachronistic versions of women in their beloved favorites too. She decided to write about it in podcast form, entitled It Happened One Night: A Feminist Frozen A-ha moment. Knowing art is a catalyst for conversation and inquiry, not statements, the podcast laid the foundation for her to partner with Elizabeth Terrell, The Z’s Music and Community Series Producer, in creating a month-long series of virtual community discussions asking others if they had a #ItHappenedOneNight moment and what it was. From Gentlemen Prefer Blondes to Disney’s Little Mermaid, it was clear others were experiencing a similar awakening that was worthy of a community-wide conversation and, moreover, a celebration of stories of and about women. She’s a BrickHouse was organized and produced by gathering the incredible talents of artists in the 757 and partnering with a variety of non-profits and arts organizations all focused on jubilantly celebrating March 2021 Women’s History Month!
Sibel Galindez, shares, “I am humbled and excited that a thought I had while watching a movie on my living room couch, has blossomed into a community celebration of women centered stories and women artists. The expert panelists and artists who answered our call to celebrate Women’s History Month Z-style are remarkable and I can’t wait to revel with our community in the conversation and celebration! “
Elizabeth Terrell, shares, “The Z is excited to provide a platform for discussion, reflection, celebration, and ultimately, artistic expression. We are proud to present the incredibly talented and diverse roster of artists--many of whom dwell within our community- as they share their own stories and the stories of the many incredible women throughout history who have paved the way.”
The month-long offering will follow all health & safety guidelines. The hope is to have a combination of in-person & virtual events, but the whole months’ celebration can easily pivot to a full online virtual experience.
Schedule of Events:
January 25: #ItHappenedOneNight Social Media Launch: Listen to the podcast and post your #ItHappenedOneNight Moment
March 1: Facebook Live Check In: Responses to #ItHappenedOneNight
March 10: It Happened One Night Discussion with Jennifer Herrera of the National Women’s History Museum, Dr. Karen Sherry of the Virginia Museum of History & Culture, & Miriam Jackson of Virginia Beach History Museums.
Plus: Sneak Peek Presentation to The Chrysler’s July Alma Thomas Exhibit.
March 11: Broken Dolls Zoom play followed by Talk Back with June Prager of Mirage Theatre, Courtney Pierce of Samaritan House, and Renee Olander of Old Dominion University
March 13: She’s a BrickHouse Concert, featuring Chris Anderson (Frances Perkins musical excerpts), Narissa Bond, Elizabeth Terrell & Shea Seger
Special Girl Scouts Birthday Bash, featuring Elyse Donuhue and the Girl Scout Gold Award Project
March 31: Creative Office Hours with three women playwrights from The Z’s Dreamwrights Workshop: Benita Alane, Jean Klein & Patti Wray
ALL MONTH LONG: Participation and Reveal of Community Art Projects led by Heather Boone & Renee Calway
Community & Arts Partners include Girl Scouts of the Colonial Coast, Virginia Museum of History & Culture, Samaritan House, The Chrysler Museum, Tidewater Community College, NY’s Mirage Productions, Norfolk Tour Company, Virginia Museum of Contemporary Art, Old Dominion University, The Vibe Creative District, Virginia Beach History Museums, and WHRO, as media partner.
She’s a BrickHouse is a month-long FREE Community Celebration of stories about and by women, March 2021. Join us at Zeiders American Dream Theater for the entire month of March.
Zeiders American Dream Theater is located at 4509 Commerce Street, Virginia Beach, VA 23462
ABOUT ZEIDERS AMERICAN DREAM THEATER
Zeiders American Dream Theater, known as The Z, is a professional, non-profit performing arts company whose mission is to provide a wide range of highly entertaining artistic experiences to the community by fostering and introducing new works and exceptionally gifted artists in all areas of the performing arts. The Z is a community hub for celebrating creative growth and entertainment. With intimate performance spaces and unique programming that generates an exciting connection between the performer and the audience, The Z inspires audiences and performers to tap into their own creative spark, unleash their dreams, and achieve their full potential. TheZ.org