by Constance Jaquay Strickland

Quick peeks at #HFF26’s “Women on the Fringe” by Fringe Femmes who are behind the scenes this year. Click Here for all Check-Ins

WHO:  Xander Priddie

WHAT: Interviewing for the Role of Father

WHERE: Bad Ladder 1514 N Gardner St

WHY: What an emotional lyrical rollercoaster. As I sat down in the theatre, I quickly realized that at 10pm, this was going to be a show that would not allow you to drift or coast through. The artist was requiring me to truly see them, hear them, and perhaps understand how we all got here together.

In the best of ways, I felt overwhelmed. I was not sure I had the capacity to hold space for another’s grief. Yet Xander’s beautiful writing, conviction, and raw performance swept me into their reality, where I, too, understood the need to speak. How do we learn to communicate feelings? Together, we were giving Xander a safe space. To practice. What seemed to be necessary for them was a vital release for us all, so I engaged with fervor. Xaander became a portal to my own fatherly pains, and how hard it can be to forgive. Maybe I’ll call my own father.

As I walked back to my car, I remembered the Dagara tribe of Burkina Faso in West Africa, who have always created Community Held Spaces. When the burden of loss, trauma or transition becomes overwhelming, the community gathers for hours or days around a fire to collectively process their grief, drum, sing and release the pain. This action understands the needs of the human spirit. Xander’s play challenged us as audience to show up and be who we say we are.

HOW: https://www.hollywoodfringe.org/projects/13470