The following is a list of solo shows that are currently available in the repertory: (contact Erika about technical requirements. See reviews for more information and longer descriptions below.)
NOW TOURING
The Red Horse is Leaving: this is the newest piece. A full length (75 minute) piece dealing with creativity and madness. Erika plays a painter dealing with manic depression. A view into the studio of an artist trying to paint her visual hallucinations. Audience interactive. More...
Poetic License: (45 minute version) a compelling look at words, hierarchical education, poetry, what is radical and what does it take to walk out of your whole life? More...
Poetic License: (75 minute version) add to the above an interactive second act in a world where ruffian angels describe paradise and the paralysed dance. More...
ALSO AVAILABLE
- kid- a 40 minute fairytale told by a 4 year old that is an allegory of childhood trauma
- Mr. Raisin Head- a 45 minute intelligent, mystical comedy performed in drag
OTHER SHOWS
- The Watcher and the Watched- a 45 minute lecture demonstration that examines gender stereotyping in a way that will change the way you think and see (75-90 minutes with audience discussion)
- Facing East- a 75 minute cross disciplinary piece about death, prayer, hope and intercession. Can you dance with those you love who have passed on?
- Little Boat- a 10-30 minute gallery installation performance using movement and song- that is designed to trigger and release grief
- Litko by David Mamet- a wacky rarely performed 15 minute Mamet piece... an actor deconstructs his monologue while doing it... funny and absurd (other odd Mamet monologues also available)
PLAYS AVAILABLE
My Life is a Mountainous Table: a docudrama of a falling man:
Erika's current work in progress- a 10-12 actor multimedia theatrical exploration of dissociation, madness and the landscape of memory.
The Seven Mysteries of Life:
an adaptation of Guy Murchies science book by the same name- this full length play with 5 characters covers 7 scientific mysteries- light and educational
The Judgment Day Cafe:
a 20 minute feminist comedy... 4 women make an evening of collaborative, deconstructionist, non-linear, no conflict theatre... feminist purgatory
We the People:
a 20 minute large group dance theatre piece- political, with lots of P words. One politician-and one dancing crowd... from complacency to rebellion
Manhole:
a 20 minute 8 person dance theatre piece about communication... a man hole is left open with a hat and a lunch box next to it, a woman tells the man (is he down there?) her secrets, a mother holds a conversation with her child who is across the street, a couple gets separated mid sentence...
Site specific work always an option, original theatre work as well... lots of choreography up her sleave...
LONGER DESCRIPTIONS OF SOLOS:
Mr. Raisin Head
"Mr. Raisin Head grows on the audience quickly,,, a man in the throes
of self-examination. He vacillates between addressing the audience with
his metaphysical musings and chiding himself in an invisible mirror. Batdorf,
wearing a suit and a nearly perpetual leer on her wonderfully malleable
face, creates Mr. Raisin Head with macho swagger and a deft Brooklyn accent…
it's a memorable character and one that asks some intriguing questions."
The Boston Herald
Mr. Raisin Head is a comic monologue told by a lascivious bachelor who
has air in his head and is obsessed with water. As he looks for his true
self, we met the grape he marries and a variety of Virtues including Purity
and Justice. Eventually his love for water and an encounter with the gorgeous
Trustworthiness triggers his ultimate transformation. Wacky sound score
by Julie Bernstein, composer for television animation series Pinky and
the Brain and Freakazoid.
(45 minutes long)
Technical Requirements: Mr. Raisin Head (ages 10-adult) is adaptable to
a variety of spaces and needs minimal lighting and basic sound equipment.
Mr. Raisin Head combines well with kid for contrast or with Litko and
Sermon by David Mamet performed by Batdorf for a full evening of wild
and sophisticated comedy.
kid
"perhaps the most touching and memorable piece on the program is
kid, in which Batdorf creates a totally charming and realistic child…"
The Boston Herald
"…an affecting piece that works a both quirky narrative and
as an allegory of childhood trauma."
The Boston Phoenix
Kid is a fairytale without the darkness washed away. Meet shy Moleman,
an old Frogman and a frightening Birdlady, imaginatively brought to life
by a four year old coming to terms with a forgotten mystery. One of Batdorf's
most arresting pieces, kid is profoundly moving with an uplifting and
transformative ending.
(45 minutes)
Technical Requirements: kid (ages 14-adult) is adaptable to a variety
of spaces but works best with a full stage and lighting. Kid combines
well with Mr. Raisin Head and/or Litko and Serman by David Mamet performed
by Batdorf. Kid is an excellent piece for events dealing with trauma recovery.
It has been presented with great success in theatres as well as numerous
conferences dealing with abuse and trauma.
""Kid," the dynamic performance by Erika Batdorf, is a
deeply moving expression of the inner life of an abused child. I strongly
encourage mental health professionals to view it themselves as well as
to encourage their clients with an abuse history to attend, as it validates
the universality of what might otherwise be seen as a unique experience.
Batdorf's use of the arts as an approach to healing the devastating wounds
of abuse is inspiring and reminds us of the intrinsic capacity of the
heart to transcend all limitations."
Mary K. Radpour, LCSW, family therapist, Chattanooga, Tennessee
"' Kid' is a stunningly emotional portrayal of lasting trauma and
the process of healing from childhood sexual abuse. It states the truth
in a way that touches the heart. It is powerful enough to bring tears
to seasoned counselors, and sensitive enough to be used as a training
tool for students and as a healing tool for abuse victims. It is an excellent
foundation piece for the discussion of many aspects of abuse such as self
esteem, defenses, repressed memory, issues of trust, the core of fear
and others. Excellent and extremely insightful. "
Hazel A. Hutton, LAC, LSW (Licensed Addiction Counselor and Licensed Social
Worker in the state of North Dakota) former child protective services
supervisor
Facing East
"Batdorf's Facing East crosses the line between dance and performance
art. Using song, speech and movement, she has created a provocative solo…
The tensile grace of her body expresses the work's strength and substance."
The Hartford Courant
"…a thought provoking study of death and life, with a strong
undercurrent of ritual that intensified the emotions of words and actions
onstage…a succinctly potent comment on the human condition…"
Anchorage Daily News
"Her song, movement and emotions are completely absorbing... These
scenes are hard hitting and poignant... "Facing East" is held
together by the original and mesmerizing music of Bruce Grover....The
vocals were clear and deep, and the musical accompaniment was an intelligent
and thoughtful interweaving of the story. Batdorf's talent is obvious….
Facing East" is pieced together like a patchwork quilt. The textured
layers of music and dance combine to create a dramatic presentation that
both tells the story and creates the intriguing mood..."
Bay Windows, Boston
Umik, A dear Inuit friend visited me from Paraguay and said "Erika,
I am going to die soon- when I do, you must pray to me, I will work through
you." I couldn't pray to him. Then I watched too many people I loved
die from AIDS. I couldn't pray to them. So I wrote Richard and asked him
if I could come to Toronto and have him help me with this piece I was
creating on death and prayer. I got a post card saying he had passed on.
Using physical 'prayers', invoking the souls of three of Batdorf's mentors,
Richard Pochinko, Dr. Gari Rea Airth {Umik} and Lucy Jarvis who have passed
on, we struggle to understand death in life.
Technical Requirements: Facing East (ages 12-adult) is a 75 minute solo
(including three 'pauses') that requires a full stage (with at least one
wing or exit), good theatrical lighting and sound. The set includes a
grave size mound of earth and pennies covering the floor. This is a full
evening performance.
Descriptions still to come:
The Watcher and the Watched
Waiting for the Dawn
Invitation
Litko/Serman by Mamet
