So often society assumes that its people do not want to hear the stories of the oppressed. That these stories are too depressing or uncomfortable, and we would rather hear a story about a successful hero. But it is within the struggle and the overcoming of obstacles that we see the humanity in our characters. Even if the character’s story ends in their imminent demise, it’s their perseverance that we all cling to and root for.
You see, women are and have always been barred from the hero’s journey. Our stories do not always end in triumph, and are closely woven together with stories of the oppressed. But this intricate web of trials which we have worked to overcome is what makes a great story.
I’ve been working for a little over a year now on spending most of my free (and not-so-free) time investigating all-female created narratives. I run a feminist arts empowerment program for adolescent girls called {she crew}, which is, in essence, devised theatre for girls. We give them the tools to express themselves and tell their stories in new and creative ways for an audience. My students are at a difficult age when they are putting their authentic selves aside and giving into societal pressures. But through working with them I have learned that they have much more wisdom and insight than most adults give them credit for. My students are around the same ages as some of the maids in The Penelopiad, and while so many things have changed since ancient Greece to present day, there are still many parallels to be drawn. Much like the characters in the play, they are witty, tactful, and smart. They find the humor and joy in daily tasks. They are also subject to a class system, much like the Greeks were subject to a class system, and because of their gender and their ages, they are taught that their stories are not those of value. Because they are middle school aged girls, their tragedies are not seen to be as important as those of an adult’s tragedy. But everyone’s stories and tragedies deserve respect, and deserve a platform.
You see, women are and have always been barred from the hero’s journey. Our stories do not always end in triumph, and are closely woven together with stories of the oppressed. But this intricate web of trials which we have worked to overcome is what makes a great story.
I’ve been working for a little over a year now on spending most of my free (and not-so-free) time investigating all-female created narratives. I run a feminist arts empowerment program for adolescent girls called {she crew}, which is, in essence, devised theatre for girls. We give them the tools to express themselves and tell their stories in new and creative ways for an audience. My students are at a difficult age when they are putting their authentic selves aside and giving into societal pressures. But through working with them I have learned that they have much more wisdom and insight than most adults give them credit for. My students are around the same ages as some of the maids in The Penelopiad, and while so many things have changed since ancient Greece to present day, there are still many parallels to be drawn. Much like the characters in the play, they are witty, tactful, and smart. They find the humor and joy in daily tasks. They are also subject to a class system, much like the Greeks were subject to a class system, and because of their gender and their ages, they are taught that their stories are not those of value. Because they are middle school aged girls, their tragedies are not seen to be as important as those of an adult’s tragedy. But everyone’s stories and tragedies deserve respect, and deserve a platform.
shecrew is run byThe Penelopiad's Meredith Montgomery and Jessica London Shields
So, when Erica emailed me and asked me to audition for The Penelopiad, of course I dug it. You mean I can continue to investigate female stories through performative and collaborative arts?
UM YES, THANKS.
When we delved into Margaret Atwood’s telling of this story I felt so exhilarated to be part of a community that had the privilege to bring these narratives to life. Though the maids in The Penelopiad are fiction, they are representative of real women whose stories were never told. Their need for a platform on which to tell their stories is so justified, and yet, still lacking air time. Even within the form of The Penelopiad, the maids are seen but rarely heard, showing in metaphor the silence and anonymity imposed upon them.
UM YES, THANKS.
When we delved into Margaret Atwood’s telling of this story I felt so exhilarated to be part of a community that had the privilege to bring these narratives to life. Though the maids in The Penelopiad are fiction, they are representative of real women whose stories were never told. Their need for a platform on which to tell their stories is so justified, and yet, still lacking air time. Even within the form of The Penelopiad, the maids are seen but rarely heard, showing in metaphor the silence and anonymity imposed upon them.
This play gives voices to those who needed one, but it also clearly shows the class system in which we still function today. I feel that The Penelopiad as a written piece and as a theatrical creation is one that is challenging what we deem as a worthy and worthwhile story to tell, and I am so proud to be a part of it. We all want to be remembered for something great, but what we cannot forget is it is our humanity that will proceed us. We just need to be working harder to allow for the airwaves to be shared evenly.
Meredith Montgomery is super stoked to be a part of Penelopiad! Some of her regional credits include Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf, and A Lie of the Mind (Mary Moody Northen Theatre), Murder on the Nile (Peninsula Players), and Blue/Whitney (StageLeft). She also has recently given a TEDx talk on the importance of being a badass feminist.
Meredith is the Co-founder and Program Director of {she crew}, a feminist based artistic empowerment program for girls in Chicago. You can find out more at shecrew.org!
Meredith is the Co-founder and Program Director of {she crew}, a feminist based artistic empowerment program for girls in Chicago. You can find out more at shecrew.org!