The Theatre Feminist: A Manifesto

Abstract

This manifesto passionately argues that theatre is not Feminist until it is transformative and unless it includes all of us. The Theatre Feminist is not a formula where you “just add women and stir.” It’s not just plays that are by, about, and for women. Feminist requires a fundamental shift in hierarchy and power that does not implicate people only individually and personally, but collectively and entirely. Its goal must be to overthrow cis-hetero-patriarchy, and there is no overthrowing patriarchy without overthrowing capitalism and racist colonial imperialism at the same time. As I explore the relationship between feminism and communism in this manifesto, and debunk some easy assumptions about the Theatre Feminist along the way, I ground my ideas in reflections on my play Behaviour, recently produced by the Great Canadian Theatre Company and SpiderWebShow. Behaviour demands a recognition of the audience’s gaze and complacency. It asks for action from the people in the audience who may not be victims or perpetrators of sexual assault and labour abuse. And it refuses to leave the audience feeling enriched and satisfied with themselves for having had their awareness raised.