On the Rocks
Date
2017-09-29
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
ORCID
Type
Thesis
Degree Level
Masters
Abstract
On the Rocks is a one-woman poetry-theatre hybrid project about a woman’s quest for self-discovery. MERMAID, a landlocked prairie woman is shocked to learn that things aren’t exactly as they seem when GRANDMOTHER, on her deathbed, reveals that her “legs aren’t really legs.” So, MERMAID ventures to Eastern Canada to uncover the secrets of her maternal history. Her travels lead her to the water, where she dives into a whole new world of knowing. GRANDMOTHER and the poetry of Adrienne Rich serve as guideposts for MERMAID as she uncovers the origin myths of mermaids from around the world. She discovers that her own experiences mirror those of the women in these folk-stories and of women today; MERMAID discovers that she is not alone in her experiences navigating sexual assault.
Using spoken word poetry, On the Rocks discusses hybridity, bisexuality, trauma, healing, depression, myth, and maternal lineage: the proverbial shoreline or liminal space. Using projections, shadow puppetry and live performance, On the Rocks creates a modern mythical world where MERMAID can finally find her fins.
Description
Keywords
spoken word poetry, mermaids
Citation
Degree
Master of Fine Arts (M.F.A.)
Department
Interdisciplinary Centre for Culture and Creativity
Program
Writing