Theater is special especially when a group of bootstrapping theater artists get together to laugh alot and make incredible stories come to life. Welcome to The Shrill Collective!
Auditions
Who are you and what does The Shrill Collective Do?
We’re a group of 6 female artists and friends who met in our New York City acting class. We produce staged readings of female-centric works and give the proceeds to charity. Our mission is to be a platform for women’s voices and issues to be heard. Basically, we make badass art in hopes of affecting positive change.
What's it like working with your friends?
It’s pretty awesome! We truly have each other’s backs. The Women’s March in 2017 was a big moment for us. We went as classmates and new friends, and left knowing that our connection was strong and that we wanted to come together to use our art for a bigger cause.
What kind of charitable organizations do you support and how do you decide which ones?
We seek out charities that support causes close to our hearts and that tie in with the theme of whatever production we’re putting up. We’ve had the privilege to support The Reproductive Health Access Project, Safe Horizon (domestic violence shelter and counseling program), Girls Write Now, and next we will be donating to Everytown for gun safety.
What has been the toughest women's issue to cover?
Back in July, we did a beautiful production of Susan Glaspell’s 1916 one-act “Trifles” directed by Shrill member, Ashley Croce. “Trifles” dealt with domestic violence, the roles women play in the home and in society, and the intricacies of female relationships. These are issues that are so often silenced or avoided because they are uncomfortable, so we felt the weight of portraying that on stage in a way that would spark a conversation. It was tough, but necessary and worth it.
You were recently named Artists in Residence at Matthew Corozine Theatre. How did that partnership happen?
After our first 2 productions, we went to Matthew Corozine Studio Theatre (MCS) to propose setting up a home within their theatre which we all already belonged to as acting students. The MCS community of artists is very close-knit and supportive. We view being Artists in Residence as a wonderful way to not only have a home base in the city, but a built in tribe of actors who we can showcase, and ultimately help spread the word about our charities’ causes.
What do you have coming up next?
Our next show, “FIRSTS”, is a night of original monologues, poetry, and songs about first experiences. Directed and conceived by Shrill member Lynda DeFuria, it will showcase over 30 writers and actors, and features only brand new original material.
Performances are Friday, March 23rd and Sunday, March 25th at 8PM and all proceeds will be benefit Everytown. Tickets are on sale at www.TheShrillCollective.com and on Brown Paper Tickets: https://shrillfirsts.brownpapertickets.com/
When/where can I see The Shrill?
You can see us at our next show, FIRSTS! Come see support our art and then say hi afterward. We’re also all over social media.
Follow us on Instagram * Facebook * Twitter
Could I join The Shrill Collective?
Soon! We aspire to start having bigger collective meetings in the future with more members. For now, you can audition for our shows and support us by being an amazing audience member. The best way to keep in touch with our latest is on social media and by joining our e-mail list on our website.
Just for fun
If you were stuck on a deserted island, what would you bring and why?
From all the Shrills:
Kristina Cole: Either sunscreen because I don’t want skin cancer or a machete because it’s the Swiss Army knife of desolate living
Ashley Croce: My glasses because I can’t see without them. If I just get to have those, then a big notebook and a pen. Is that boring? I don’t care, it would keep me sane.
Lynda DeFuria: SPF-50 because I do not tan. I burn.
Chelsea Feltman: Nutritional yeast. I need my B vitamins
Allison Wilkes: As much Lip Balm (because I struggle with chapped lips) that my hypothetical bag can carry, a pocket knife, and a large book that I’d like to read but I’ve never been able to finish such as “Les Mis”
Erin Dahl: Alcohol. Because why not?
