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Cabaret Unkempt is an evening length work that explores the idea of body prejudice its effects on culture, society and individuals. Cabaret Unkempt was inspired by my own experiences as an Afro-Cuban American woman of size in the performing arts field. It also was motivated by the global fascination with the plastic surgery industry. With the collaboration of performer writer Elizabeth Doud, film Maker Dinorah Rodriguez, Costume designer Estela Vrancovich, Original music and sound Designer Ricardo Lastre and Lighting an Set design of Justin Townsend we have developed a 50 minute multi media theatre production that reflects society's treatment of women of size, plastic surgery, as well as the themes of political correctness, and the seriousness of body consciousness in a liberal atmosphere, pushing the boundaries and expectations of performance. As a performer of "size", this project is as a way of exploring my particular heritage /background, life experiences, and my personal relationship to my body composition. It is also an opportunity to journey through "weight" loss or gain, and explore the issues of "weight" that are present in our society and in the theatre milieu, while paying homage to the "excess" parts of me that have been there for such a long time. I want to explore, through satire, the moments when all human beings are confronted with letting go of familiar things, and why people hold onto the physical for security.
Booking Information
1-786-374-6934 or
info@jennylinduany.com |
THE PERFORMANCE Cabaret Unkempt is an irreverent and satirical memory piece performed by Jennylin Duany and Elizabeth Doud, which uses projected media, music, and poetry to explore Miami-based writer and performer Jennylin Duany's Cuban American background, her body, her self-image and her moving, often hilarious, experiences as a performer of "size" in a culture where size definitely matters. With the slick juxtaposition of her counterpart and collaborator, Elizabeth Doud, the work offers audiences a voyeur's pleasure of looking into a world that is sensual and audacious. Cabaret Unkempt uses satire and physicality to explore moments when all of us, regardless of size, are confronted with letting go of the identification with our body-trappings, and are faced with our deepest insecurities. "In this piece I pay homage to the 'excess' parts of me that have been there for such a longtime." The performers ruminate on the bombastic expectations of control, body mass, plastic surgery and self acceptance in a world obsessed with body image. The work surveys the landscape of "unkempt women," her super-ego, and creates a cartography of her body's journey. This performance plays beautifully to an intimate theater space, and engages audiences through humor, visceral provocation and a sense of humanity. Cabaret Unkempt is produced by Akropolis and commissioned by Diverse Works in Houston and the Carnival Center in Miami, Florida. In April of 2006 Cabaret Unkempt was presented as part of the 651 Arts Salon Series and in October of 2006 it was part of a creative residency at Diverse Works in Houston. Cabaret Unkempt made its world premiere at the Carnival Center for the Performing Arts in Miami in December 2006. AESTHETIC JUICE/COLLABORATORS The explicit and implicit device of projection on and around the body of the performers, coupled with traces of cabaret and circus in the work, permit an exaggerated presentation often associated with the outrageousness of fatness and body image paranoia. The literal and figurative concept of cabaret functions as a vehicle to explore themes of political correctness and over-protective politeness, juxtaposed with the offensive assumptions and generously available insults towards fat women. The work plays as well with the stereotypes of the "leading lady" and resurrects the image of the obese woman as a viable super hero in our present day culture. This structure will contribute to an evening of intellectual exchange, salute anti-conventionalism and challenge the viewpoints of our personal phobias. Film maker Dinorah de Jesus Rodriguez incorporates 16 mm film, overhead head projection, slides and various video formats to explore the world of memory, nostalgia, and media impact. Original music by Ricardo Lastre creates an eclectic score that radiates the roots of circus, techno and Afrocubanism. Estela Vrancovich uses her sculpted costumes to expose weight, curves and theatricality. The minimalist set and lighting design of Justin Townsend hint at the worlds of circus and cabaret, accentuating the absurd with a haunting elegance. BIOGRAPHIES |
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