An Oral History of Lesbianism

Abstract

An Oral Herstory of Lesbianism is an experimental theater art work collaboratively created by thirteen lesbians and performed for thirteen nights at the Woman's Building in Los Angeles in May, 1979. Each of the stories in the play is based on the true experiences of the women who created them, ranging in subject from pre-lesbian experiences to our creative visions. They share in common the belief that claiming our herstory is a step towards creating our future. The project was inspired and supported by my work with Arlene Raven in the Lesbian Art Project (LAP). Women who worked on the play signed contracts to affirm a strong commitment to the work. Each woman committed to attend all work sessions, participate in workshop exercises, fulfill outside assignments, and meet financial and copyright agreements. The thirteen women who wrote, performed, and directed the play also invested $100 each in the production. We began the project with a series of ten workshops which were designed to teach performance skills and techniques, create group trust and bonding, and explore issues of lesbianism by examining our own experiences, out of which we would generate material for the play. The wide range of opinions and experience shared in this supportive envir;-~ ??