Performance: The Second Coming of Joan ofArc

Lectures

Workshops

What Others Are Saying

Andrea Dworkin, feminist philosopher, activist, author:

" . . . a whole women's theatre tradition in one volume. . . wonderful to read --- rich, original deeply affirming --- and must be phenomenal to see on stage. The culture of women we have never had is invented in Carolyn Gage's brilliant and beautiful plays."

John Stoltenberg, Executive Editor, On theIssues:

"... the toughest, most lesbian/feminist-identified work for theatre I know... brilliant and daring scripts..."

Phyllis Chesler, Author of Women and Madness:

"Carolyn Gage is a fabulous feminist playwright, and a major one too. This is great theatre. Gage's dramatic and lesbian imagination is utterly original... There is no rhetoric here: only one swift and pleasurable intake of breath after another... Women's mental health would improve, instantly, were they able to read and see these plays performed."

Jewelle Gomez, author of The Gilda Stories, San Francisco Arts Commissioner:

"The work of an experienced and esteemed playwright like Carolyn Gage is the air that modern theatre needs."

Mary Daly , Radical Feminist Philosopher and Author of Gyn/Ecology,Pure Lust, and Outercourse:

"I was more deeply moved and 'sinspired' by Carolyn Gage's new book [LikeThere'sNo Tomorrow] than by anything else I've read in years... It is a work of uncompromising vision and daring... a beacon of hope in these chilling times of compromise, timidity and apparent defeat. This book is Pure Fire. It is true and therefore extreme... a stunning manifestation of Radical Lesbian Feminist Courage and Genius."

George Wolf, Dept. of English, University of Nebraska, Lincoln:

"Carolyn Gage's writing, acting, and teaching are explosive. She rips away the cultural camouflage that permits us to accept, to be blind to, the brutal context in which women are still required to live their lives. When my students remember this semester it will be because of her visit. She's a treasure."

Dale Daigle, PhD., Theatre Department Chair, Washington College, Chesterton, MD:

"Ms. Gage's visit to Washington College was inspiring. Her passion for what she does is so obvious and her intellect so impressive that students and faculty alike were immediately and permanently engaged by her presentation and presence.

Washington College is, in part, known for it's writing program. We have regular visits by well known writers -- everyone from Edward Albee and Israel Horovitz to Toni Morrison and John Barth in recent years. I can honestly say I have never seen students so enthusiastic about a guest. Another thing that is unusual and impressive is that she has kept in touch with several of our students since her visit.

One of the things I was most impressed with was the clarity of her aesthetics and politics. This is a person who does not apologize for her agenda or the militancy necessary to further that agenda. The amazing thing is she combines that unswerving commitment with compassion, understanding, warmth, and generosity.

She is totally committed to her art in a way that is truly inspiring. Don't let the lesbian/feminist moniker scare you, this is a formidable artist in every way."

R.J. McComish, Literary Manager, Portland Stage Company, Portland, Maine:

"I am constantly amazed at Carolyn's ability to make complex social issues not onlyaccessible but also irresistibly fascinating."

Women's New, Belfast, Northern Ireland:

"Carolyn Gage is a living manifestation of the power of articulate anger. Her play is raw, uncompromising, in your face, and her politics are no different. In the flesh, however, her passion, humour and quicksilver insight shine through her rage against the patriarchal machine. An inspired spokeswoman for revolutionary radical feminism, I love to think of Carolyn out there now, urging women all over the world to access that submerged anger that, once released, will enable them to find hope, pleasure, selfhood."

Kristina Armenakis, Women's Resource Center,University of Oregon, Eugene, OR:

"Recalling The Second Coming of Joan of Arc leaves me practically speechless, but boiling over on the inside with sadness and a hunger to "right all the wrongs" of the world. Never before have I attended an event at my University that evoked tears and heartache and feelings of invincibility and empowerment simultaneously. In Dorothy Allison's book Skin, she encourages women to speak and write ourselves raw, until we are vulnerable and we produce captivating and personal art that evokes tears, laughter, and rage from the audience. Carolyn Gage epitomizes Allison's vision. Her brilliant performance touches everyone deeply by providing an educational, cathartic, heartbreaking, and empowering experience. She speaks the unspeakable truths about women's oppression that most of us are afraid to say . . ."

Tamanya Garza, The University of the Sciences, Philadelphia:

"The night I saw The Second Coming [of Joan of Arc], six years ago, I borrowed a copy of the play from a friend. Ever since then the book has lived in my book bag, purse, shoulder bag, carry on, reminding me that there are "two ways to destroy a woman", reminding me not to get ripped apart. Gage has . . . has given us a hero that doesn't run around in her underwear and taught us to take back the voices in our heads. Gage has changed so many lives she will never know about. and the only way I know how to thank her is to never stop fighting."

Dr. Patricia Cramer, Dept. of English, University of Connecticut, Stamford:

"Ever since I first saw Carolyn Gage perform her work, I have been convinced that she is one of our greatest living artists . . . the value of Gage’s plays goes far beyond their ability to hold and entertain audiences. I know of no living playwright who is grappling with issues as controversial and as central to the survival of our people as Carolyn Gage. Possibly the most potentially transformative work of our time is the work on trauma conducted by psychologists and academics as well as within feminist and recovery movements. By joining her intellectual and political engagements with these movements to her considerable skills as a dramatist, Gage creates plays that bring the “magic” back to theatre. I have seen many of her plays performed – among them, The Second Coming of Joan of Arc, Sappho in Love, Harriet Tubman Visits A Therapist, and Artemisia and Hildegarde. The impact of these performances on audiences is profound and life-changing."

Joyce Sprague, Women's Studies, Gettysburg College, Gettysburg, PA:

"It was an excellent performance . . . I also wanted you to know that your performance drew one of the largest audiences for a Women's Studies sponsored event. Many of us have continued to talk about your performance for long after your departure from Gettysburg. We especially enjoyed your warmth and your sense of humor."

Dr. Kate Greene, University of Southern Mississipp:

"While it was probably the novelty of having a lesbian feminist in Hattiesburg, Mississippi that brought the people out, it was Carolyn's intelligence, wit and charisma that motivated us to participate. Her complex mixture of righteous anger and compassionand her insight into the human psyche inspired those of us who live with the daily oppression of southern patriarchal culture to open our minds and hearts and speak our truths. When we left the theater that night, we had all been touched by Carolyn's powerful politics."

Naomi Paisley, Information and Referral Counselor, Women's Center, University of Southern Maine, Portland:

"[Carolyn Gage's] workshop, sponsored by the Alliance for Sexual Diversity, was both theatrical and theoretical. Her use of classical female archetypes to describe ongoing issues facing women was especially clear and powerful . . . She was entertaining and empowering to many young women on our campus who, a month later, are still talking about her."

Carolyn Lewis,Professor of Theatre, Cedar Crest College, Allentown, PA:

" . . . a tremendous experience for the students. Ms. Gage made such a positive impact on the students that her 'voice' can still be heard echoing in the voices of the students who were fortunate enough to have spent time with her."

Claire N. Kaplan, Coordinator, Sexual Assault Education, University of Virginia:

"We invited Carolyn Gage to perform her play, The Second Coming of Joan of Arc here at UVA --she was amazing. She really challenges women and men to rethink a whole range of issues, from popular historical accounts of Joan's story to how rape figures into the oppression of women--and lesbians, specifically-- throughout history. She is a completely lovely person and easy to work with."

Bonnie Morris, Senior Associate at the Center for Women and Policy Studies and five-year staff member of the Michigan Womyn's Music Festival::

"Gage's particular brilliance lies in her skill at juxtaposing lesbian reality with our collective herstoric imagination as a people... Lesbian writers, theorists, and professors - in large numbers at ECLF (East Coast Lesbian Festival) - were absolutely transported by the academic significance of Gage's work."

Victoria A. Brownworth, Pulitzer Prize Nominee, Author of Too Queer:

". . . undisputed queen of startling one-acts . . ."

Rosemary Keefe Curb, editor of Amazon All Stars: 13 Lesbian Plays:

"No playwright has created as amazing a pantheon of historical lesbian characters as Carolyn Gage. Her book, Monologues and Scenes for Lesbian Actors, provides a sumptuous feast of possibilities for both seasoned and budding lesbian performers to use portraying a full range of emotion and political perspectives. Carolyn Gage is a national lesbian treasure."

From the Flames, Nottingham, England:

"Carolyn Gage's work gives us real, gutsy, believable characters who cut through the crap and tell it like it is, who wake us up, make us laugh and cry."

The Lithiagraph, Ashland, OR:

"Many women have had a first opportunity to be in touch with feelings and ideas they've never found themselves in a context to consider... Carolyn Gage's rage through her art is a gift to us."

The Spectrum, Buffalo, NY:

"Rarely in my life have I left a play, or any work of art, feeling like my life was truly better for it... The plays were hilarious, harrowing, exhilerating, and affirming."

WNYQ News, Buffalo, NY:

"Taking in a Gage play is like getting a combined dose of Karl Marx, Betty Friedan and triple espresso. She broadcasts insight on power and powerlessness with energetic zip, laying good groundwork for directors and actors who would attempt production of them."

Chicago Review, Chicago:

"... strong-minded, bighearted storytelling..."