Kathy Westfield

Conversations with some of #HFF26’s compelling “Women on the Fringe”

Ten years ago, I did my first Fringe Femme interview out of a desperate need to hear and uplift the voices of women of color during Fringe. I also selfishly wanted to bear witness and, in some small way, archive the multiplicity of voices and conversations women of color were having.

The reality was, I was having a hard time discovering and seeing the work of women of color. I knew I had a small network, no connections, and yet I still found a way. I knew that the hardest part of manifesting a new work was finding a way to let people know you have a show happening.

The 2026 Hollywood Fringe Femme Interview series is an ode to the women who find a way to tell stories by any means necessary. And this Fringe Femme is truly a miracle – I do not say that frivolously. In the United States, nearly 1 in 3 women have experienced a form of physical violence by an intimate partner. Nearly 75% of all domestic homicide and severe violent crime victims of domestic abuse are women.

Currently here in California, the Hope Transitional Shelter houses more than three dozen women and children who are facing a high risk of losing services that support families experiencing domestic violence. As a child who witnessed my mother escape domestic violence, I know how urgent and vital services are for families to get back on their feet but also how it transforms an entire family when women have the ability, support and forums to share their stories of survival.

This is why it is not only emotional, but truly a blessing to introduce Fringe Femme Kathy Westfield and “He Put His Hands On Me.” May each time she shares her story, it saves another woman’s life. May each time she shares her story, it transforms the lens via how women are viewed. May each time she shares her story, it opens a portal of courage and healing for all the women who are on the brink of leaving a violent partner.

Kathy Westfield

Constance Jaquay Strickland: How long have you been sitting with this work and what led you to the Hollywood Fringe?

Kathy Westfield: I initially wrote “He Put His Hands On Me” in 2018. In searching for a platform for my show, I came across the Hollywood Fringe Festival. It immediately caught my attention because it provided an opportunity without creative limits, was part of the performing arts community and it also gave me the freedom to produce my own show. So, in October 2019 and then in January 2020, I produced my show in preparation for the June 2020 Hollywood Fringe Festival. However, in February 2020, COVID hit. [And the 2020 Hollywood Fringe was cancelled.]

Constance: So why now?

Kathy: Because it was time to just do it! I could not forget how the audience at my last show came onstage, surrounded me and asked, “When is your next show?” They maintained a strong position stating, “You have to do it again. People need to hear your story.”

Constance: Were there joy and surprises that you discovered when creating your show?

Kathy: There was joy in realizing my show could possibly help someone who is currently being abused. It then was no longer just about writing my story. It now had a much bigger purpose. True joy came in knowing that I am fortunate to be alive. I can now share my journey to enlighten, inform and to encourage others.

Constance: What was your biggest challenge in terms of the Fringe and your development process?

Kathy: As the artist as well as the producer, it was challenging handling all the duties, i.e., securing the venue, production and promotions, as well as other performance related duties. I stayed busy from the inception, through the rewrites and all the way through managing the tech rehearsals. One had to be organized in order to be successful.

Constance: What did you enjoy most about doing your show during the Fringe?

Kathy: I enjoyed being able to touch the hearts of the audience by using my sense of humor in an effort to lighten up some of the pretty dark times in my story. There were tears by those embracing my pain as well as tears of joy brought forth through my humor. The audience didn’t leave the show depressed and sad, but rather empowered and uplifted.

Constance: So is the show a love letter to survivors or a plea to the community and women still stuck in violent relationships?

Kathy: My show is to all of the above. For survivors, it’s a reminder about just how far they have come. It’s also an opportunity for the community to better understand the challenges facing most victims. And it is definitely an opportunity to provide information to victims presently in a violent relationship so they know help is available 24 hours a day at (800)799-7233(SAFE).

Kathy Westfield in “He Put His Hands On Me”

Constance: Do you believe theatre is a bridge to healing and rebuilding?

Kathy: I most definitely believe theatre is a bridge to both healing and rebuilding. Experiencing the performance of someone who has overcome a hurdle can give another individual the hope and insight needed in overcoming their similar situation. It can also become a shared emotional journey for the audience as well as a pathway towards healing for the performer.

In fact, acting out my domestic violence experiences in my performances has allowed me the opportunity to process the pain, verbalize my emotions and release the shame many times felt by both victims and survivors. It has helped me tremendously in my healing process.

Constance: Silence often plays a huge part in how domestic violence continues. To stay silent is to hide the shame that may exist; it may also cost a woman her life. How did you navigate this when choosing to put your story onstage?

Kathy: Balancing the discovery of my voice and saving my own life had to be approached carefully. I had to come to the realization if I remained silent I could potentially die. Secondly, I had to make the decision not to embrace the shame because shame keeps us shackled.

In my first abusive relationship, I carefully planned an escape. I say carefully because this is the most dangerous time for a victim. Statistics show 75% of deaths occur when the victim tries to leave their abuser.

Lastly, I learned to listen to my inner voice. One night during my abusive marriage my husband knocked me to the floor and started choking me. I couldn’t breathe but then I heard a voice say, “Bite him.” When I bit him, he released my neck. I then escaped by running down our apartment hallway screaming for help and a complete stranger opened her door, pulled me inside and then slammed the door behind me. I learned not to ignore that inner voice. It’s there for a reason.

Constance: Are you planning to continue performing “He Put His Hands On Me?” How do you see it living beyond Fringe?

Kathy: I definitely believe there is a need to continue. Audience members’ responses and reviews demonstrate it has a purpose. With all the feedback I have received, I envision the show has the potential to be successfully produced at theatrical venues as well as through women’s organizations, churches, advocacy groups and universities for fundraisers, community awareness and educational purposes.

Constance: I love the double-entendre title of your solo show. It is very powerful. May I ask you to describe how your faith saw you through this painful season?

Kathy: My faith evolved while I was deep into my abusive marriage. I was at my wit’s end. I finally got on my knees one night and turned my life over to God. I then began building a closer relationship with Him. As I grew in my spiritual walk, so did my faith. On more than one occasion strangers were placed in my path and saved me from harm’s way. I do not believe their placement was coincidental but rather it was God’s divine intervention. Without faith, I’m convinced I would not be alive today. Men put their hands on me but God had his hands on me all along.

Constance: How are you doing now? How are you allowing love and laughter to stay active and alive?

Kathy: Currently, I continue to perform my clean, stand-up comedy. I share love through my humor in an effort to bring joy to my audiences. I am a firm believer that it may not be funny at the time, but eventually, we can find humor in just about any situation. Laughter has been a major source of my healing.

I am also actively researching plans to take my solo show on the road!