DAUGHTER. SOLDIER. AMERICAN. VICTIM. SISTER. CITIZEN.
SET IN 1974:
This Musical History Play reveals the still-untold TRUE STORY of the political kidnapping of 19-year-old Patty Hearst – her transformation from innocent victim into a fugitive outlaw – as she declares her new identity and her “choice” to join her kidnappers’ mission to overthrow the US government.
And her impossible journey back.
SPEAKS TO THE URGENCY OF "NOW"
AND
THE DISINTEGRATION OF OUR SHARED REALITY
WE ALL HAVE TWO PEOPLE INSIDE US
AND
ONE OF THEM IS A FUCKING LIAR
INSPIRATION:
Imaginary Girl was conceived while its author was working as the principal editor of The Alchemy of Wolves and Sheep * by Dr. H. L. Schwartz. This book makes a significant contribution to the psychological trauma literature. It coined the term COERCED PERPETRATION and its linkage to BRAINWASHING and IDEOLOGICAL HIJACKING – illuminating the dynamics of how trauma victims are manipulated into betraying their own moral limits.
An internationally acknowledged expert on PTSD – with a career dedicated to the treatment of survivors of complex trauma and dissociative identity – Dr. Schwartz continues to serve as the play's psychological consultant.
( * Winner of the prestigious 2017 International Sandor Ferenczi Prize, from ISST&D:
The International Society for the Study of Trauma & Dissociation )
IDEOLOGICAL HIJACKING
+
TRAUMA’S IMPACT ON IDENTITY
CAST SIZE : 10 +
The show has been very successfully workshopped with as few as 8 performers.
The ensemble easily scales to 25 or 30 or more for college/university productions or larger regional stages.
MUSICIANS : 5 +
The five-piece rock band is expandable with modular orchestrations for college/university productions.
ALL CONFLICTS
– INTERNAL, INTERPERSONAL & POLITICAL –
ARE BATTLES OF COMPETING VERSIONS OF REALITY
MUSICAL STYLE
THE YOUNGER CHARACTERS
Early-70s-inspired indie/alt folk & rock
THE OLDER CHARCTERS
Lean into traditional MT motifs / generational contrast
THE CONTAINER SCORE
A 21st century electronic, ambient, experimental-rock
& verbatim audio collage – a dynamic, rhythmic, shimmering sonic soundscape that ties everything together
SYNTHESIS
OF
INTIMACY + SPECTACLE
STRATEGICALLY INTEGRATED
BRINGS TONAL BALANCE &
EMOTIONAL DEPTH
TO THE DRAMA
MAGICAL REALISM +
COMEDIC FANTASY
TRAUMA INFORMED
+
PSYCHEDELICALLY INFORMED
ULTIMATELY, IT’S AN UPLIFTING STORY OF SELF-LIBERATION
INSPIRING HOPE & HEALING – AS PATTY OVERCOMES
SEEMINGLY IMPOSSIBLE INTERNAL & EXTERNAL OBSTACLES
AREN'T WE ALL
FIGHTING A NEVER-ENDING BATTLE BETWEEN
WHO WE ARE & WHO WE ARE NOT
PERFECT FOR COLLEGES / UNIVERSITIES *
-
Its ensemble-driven structure EASILY SCALES TO 25 OR MORE
-
The 5-piece rock band expands with modular orchestration
-
An exceptionally strong & meaningful curricular fit:
Gen-Z is Hungry for
Immersive Theater Experiences
*
-
Theater + Musical Theater
-
Journalism / Media Studies
-
Political Science
-
Psychology / Sociology
-
Law History + Law Ethics
-
Social Justice / Criminal Justice
-
Women’s Studies
-
American Political History
-
Media Arts / Interactive Design
INTER-DISCIPLINARY CURRICULUM
HOW MUCH OF OUR
PERSONAL & POLITICAL IDENTITY
IS SHAPED BY FORCES BEYOND OUR OWN FREE WILL
*
WHERE IS THEATER GOING
WHAT IS THEATER CAPABLE OF
WHAT ARE THE NEW POSSIBILITIES
•
WE'RE LOOKING FOR THE PEOPLE
WHO ARE LOOKING FOR US
•
SEEKING
CREATIVE PRODUCERS
+
ADVENTUROUS PERFORMERS
FOR OUR NEXT STEPS
1. Assemble a trusted advisory team & creative brain trust
2. Work together to create an emotionally-compelling & meaningful experience
3. Record updated demos featuring new arrangements & trained vocalists
4. Launch a full proof-of-concept production
5. Share in its rewards
REACH OUT TO START A CONVERSATION
SYNTHESIZING : INSTINCT VISION VOICE EMOTION + MEANING