Multi-disciplinary show takes on female experience

The exploration of female identity takes on a new artistic form in Lehman College’s upcoming production, “Growing Up She.”

The show, which runs from July 14 to 16, combines elements of dance, spoken word, and videography to discuss what it means to be a woman. It begins with the conjuring of Oshun, an African goddess of femininity, before taking the audience on a journey of modern day topics ranging from love to abuse.  

Christina Pagán, one of the co-producers for the show, said she came up with the idea for “Growing Up She” this spring, and the production is based on a culmination of experiences she and the women in her life have had to go through.

“The only thing that I know for sure about myself as a woman, about other women is that there’s no one set definition of what it means,” she said. “Women and womanhood is complex, especially now in 2016 when we’re all testing the boundaries of what gender means.”

While developing the show, Ms. Pagán wanted to evoke the intricacies that come with being female, yet are elements that all genders can relate to on some level.

“We’re all inherently female,” she said, “so it’s part of everyone and everyone has a woman in their life, whether it’s good or bad, because there are good things that women do and there are bad things that women do. We’re not going to shy away [and say] ‘women are all superheroes’ – we’re not.”  

Ms. Pagán herself is also part of the show, participating in two dance pieces. When it comes to performing on stage, she encourages performers in “Growing Up She” to express the emotions they feel, and let others take in the feelings. And when it comes to what she wants audiences to take out of the show, it is having an opinion on what they just experienced.

“I want people to be able to leave maybe with a dialogue, maybe with questions,” she said. “Questions are always good.” 

“Growing Up She” is a free event that runs from July 14 to 16 at 7 p.m. on Lehman College’s quad.