It's all fun and games until someone gets hurt.
In Gillian English's production of Get Around Me!, presented by The Theatre Elusive and part of the 9th Annual FRIGID Festival (February 18 - March 8 at the Kraine Theater and UNDER St. Marks), a young woman (English) discovers just how strong she is, while playing one of the world's toughest sports.
Dressed in her Team Canada uniform, English greets the audience warmly and shares the story of how a self-proclaimed theater and Shakespeare nerd like herself first got involved in Aussie Rules football. English addresses the audiences as you would a group of friends -- explaining the rules of the game, the nicknames, and the inside jokes in layman's terms. Charismatic, funny, humble and one strong chick, English paints a picture of her journey, spotlighting her beloved coach, who always had faith in her and pushed her to be the best, and her lively teammates. A screen in the background supplemented these descriptions with photos of it all.
In addition to the fun and entertainment that English's years on the field provide, comes the element that makes this production special and an eye-opener: during a celebratory weekend after the World Championship in Australia, English was a victim of sexual assault. Unfortunately, she didn't have much support or sympathy -- except from her beloved coach -- and was afraid to ruin the good time her teammates were having, so she had to take full control on her own. English doesn't hold back and explains how she stood up for herself and how terrifying the incident was.
For English to share her story is not only admirable but completely necessary and timely -- especially in today's sports culture, where sexual assault occurs with too much frequency. She strongly drives the point home that the number of touchdowns you can score or how fast you can run doesn't excuse a crime you commit. Through her experience, English has became a strong advocate for women, proving that one person can make a difference and can be the voice for so many others who have been harmed. At the end of the performance, she looked everyone in the eye, and explained that women shouldn't feel a need to apologize or feel bad about defending what is right. She even offered her friendship and support to others who may be facing similar circumstances, and outlined a variety of resources available.
Theater that addresses crucial social issues in way that is human deserves to be applauded for many reasons, and English's decision to share something so personal in an effort to help others is heroic. The world needs more of these leaders.
