"Z Space has long been a prime Bay Area venue for seeing adventurous out-of-town theater troupes, and with Stein | Holum Projects’ one-woman play “The Wholehearted,” the company continues that proud tradition."
—Lily Janiak writing for San Francisco Chronicle/SF Gate
Z Space Presents:
The Wholehearted
Conceived and Created by Stein I Holum Projects
September 7-10, 2016 on Z Space's Main Stage
Z Space continues our commitment to bringing in the most innovative new works for theatre from around the country to the Bay Area. We are please to host NYC's Stein | Holum Projects for a week long run.
A world champion boxer taken down in her prime by her own husband, Dee Crosby is hell bent on redemption—no matter the cost. Fast paced and heartbreaking, The Wholehearted is theatre with the impact of a prize fight, a ruthless look at violence in sports—and in the name of love. Rarely do American theater audiences encounter unvarnished portraits of women like Dee Crosby. Spectators sit ringside, spellbound by Holum’s spectacular performance that combines high octane fight choreography and raw emotionality with the tuneful showmanship of Elvis Presley. Dee's story ricochets between the intimacy of live performance and larger-than-life video on Jumbotrons above the stage.
From Rockabilly Rave-Ups to Country & Western heartbreak to MTV anthems a la Bryan Adams, The Wholehearted hurtles tragically forward to the rhythms of the American Dream running off the rails.
"A boldly arresting new solo show...Suli Holum's transfixing portrayal of the prizefighter [is] alternately brooding and explosive."
—The Boston Globe
Talkbacks
Select nights of this show will feature a talk-backs from professionals on the themes and real-world implications of this show. These will take place in Z Space's lobby after the performance, in an informal salon setting. We encourage you to stay for a drink and join in the discussion! Below is a schedule of speakers, we'll be updating the list with more information as it becomes available.
Wednesday, September 7th - Therapists: Leigh Lyndon, Claire Hebenstreit, and Beth Manning
Claire Hebenstreit, PhD is an advanced psychology fellow in women's health and lead quantitative analyst in the Workplace Violence Prevention Program at San Francisco VA Medical Center and is a researcher in the area of PTSD, trauma, and violence against women and Veterans.
Leigh Lyndon, PsyD, is a clinical psychologist who works with adolescents, adults and couples in private practice in San Francisco and Oakland. She specializes in women's mental health across the lifespan.
Beth Manning, PhD is a clinical psychologist and the manager of the Intensive Outpatient Program and psychiatry representative for the Family Violence Prevention Program at Kaiser Permanente San Rafael and specializes in women's mental health and trauma.
Friday, September 9th - Advocates: Melissa Bergson and Andrea Diaz from La Casa de la Madres
Melissa Bergson is the Program Director and Andrea Diaz is the Domestic Violence Response Team Liason for La Casa de las Madres. The mission of La Casa de las Madres is to respond to calls for help from domestic violence victims, of all ages, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. We give survivors the tools to transform their lives. We seek to prevent future violence by educating the community and by redefining public perceptions about domestic violence.
Saturday, September 10th - Theatremakers: Becca Wolff and Madeline Oldham
Becca Wolff is a cross-media director committed to new forms and attracting new audiences to theater. In the Bay Area, she collaborates with Encore Productions, The Kilbanes, and Sarah Bush Dance Project, and directs and and develops new works at local venues including ACT, New Conservatory Theater, Theatreworks and Z Space.
Madeleine Oldham is the Director of The Ground Floor, Berkeley Rep's Center for the Creation and Development of New Work. She also plays ice hockey, and has been a referee for over 15 years, officiating games from youth through adults.
CREDITS
Conceived and created by Stein | Holum Projects
Written and Directed by Deborah Stein
Performed and Directed by Suli Holum
Camera Work by Stivo Arnoczy
Sound Design by Matt Hubbs and James Sugg
Original Music by James Sugg and Heather Christian
Dramaturg and Creative Producer: P. Carl
Set Design: Amy Rubin
Video Design: Kate Freer and Dave Tennent
Lighting Design: Stephen Arnold
Costume Design: Angela Harner
Stage Manager: Kamra A Jacobs
Show Producer: Amanda Cooper
The Wholehearted is made possible with funding by the New England Foundation for the Arts’ National Theater Project, with lead funding from the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation.
The Wholehearted was commissioned and first presented by ArtsEmerson: The World On Stage in April 2014. A late-stage completion residency and performances was provided by Z Space in San Francisco in September 2016. Additional workshop residencies have been provided by HERE, the Lower Manhattan Cultural Council (Swing Space), the Orchard Project, Kelly Strayhorn, Philadelphia FringeArts, Swarthmore College Project in Theatre, New Dramatists Creativity Fund (with the support of the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation), and JACK (with the support of the Brooklyn Arts Council).
Press
For press inquiries for The Wholehearted please contact our press agent, Mona Baroudi, at mona.baroudi@sbcglobal.net or 415.615.2735.
