A Performing Collective For Women Beyond Middle Age
What words come to mind when you think of older women? Bawdy or bold -- perhaps? Edgy and alluring? Inspiration awaits you for sure at The Wise Cracks cabaret! This 'pick-up' company of older women debuted in the Triangle in 2006, and has been kicking up plenty more than their heels ever since.
Come enjoy an evening of dance, improvisation, storytelling, poetry and song, and more, as these women bring their 60-to-85 years of wit, wisdom, and wackiness to the fore! This evening's performance promises a fresh view of the wild, each woman practicing her own breed of passion, defying stereotype. The result? You'll never look at your grandmother the same way again!
The Wise Cracks is a charitable organization. All proceeds from our shows go to humanitarian organizations such as Doctors without Borders or other local causes.
Current Shows
Fearrington Women's Club Fundraiser, Country Western Extravaganza, Saturday, April 26th, 2008, The Gathering Place, Fearrington Village, 8 pm.
Fearrington Barn, Fearrington Village, Sunday, November 16th, 2008, 2-4 pm.
Receptions accompany the shows so you can meet the artists.
Bios of Past & Present Wise Cracks
Glenna Batson initiated the Wise Cracks after deciding that her next 'career' would be performance -- with women of like-body and mind. Professor of Physical Therapy at Winston-Salem State University, Glenna teaches the Alexander Technique at UNC's Department of Dramatic Arts, and directs the Contemporary Body Practices program for the Hollins/ADF M.F.A. in dance. She is founder & director of Wellness Partners in the Arts.
Glenna Batson initiated The Wise Cracks after deciding that her next ‘career' would include collaborating with women to share stories of body wit and wisdom. Professor of Physical Therapy at Winston-Salem State University, Glenna teaches the Alexander Technique at UNC's Department of Dramatic Arts, and directs the Contemporary Body Practices program for the Hollins/ADF M.F.A. in dance.
Constance Bibb loves dance of all kinds: liturgical, ballroom and improvisation. She is a certified Interplay leader and member of Off the Deep End Ensemble performing company. Her current passion is story-telling combined with movement. Recently, she had a knee replacement in order to continue dancing.
Jayne Bomberg's art history begins with clay in the form of tiles and mosaics. She is captivated by paint and ease of color, and with this she combines mixed media. She is part of the Hillsborough Artists Cooperative, located above Tupelo's Restaurant in Hillsborough. At age 53, she returned to graduate school and obtained a M.F.A./M.S. at Pratt Institute. About the process for "Covenant," Jayne writes: With paint formulated for film coloring and very small brushes, I painted abstractly on clear glass slides. I did a quick photo shoot of Glenna dancing, and layered the painted slides on Glenna's body to create the new image.
Jude Casseday is a singer, dancer, drummer, and maker of joyful noises. She loves to play and create. She appreciates all creative playmates, especially tonight – Susan!
Jody Cassell is a dancing storyteller, teaching artist in dance and newly published author of a children's book, Where's Leon? She began dancing at the age of four and has been involved in creative dance ever since. Jody is also a dance/movement therapist. She loves to cook, garden, hike, create sculptures from recycled, found and given objects and spend time with her family and dog. Jody's book is available at McIntyre's Fine Books – great for children, parents and grandparents.
Ann Deagon, former Writer in Residence at Guilford College and author of ten books of poetry and fiction, has performed one-woman shows of her poems and songs at colleges, art centers, and festivals in some two dozen states. Since ‘retirement' she has worked in community theater, advertising, and film, while continuing to write and sing blues.
Anne Deloria has been involved with dance, choreography and somatics for over 40 years. She is retired Associate Professor of Dance from UNC-Greensboro. She is choreographer for the North Carolina Touring Theater Ensemble and occasionally performs with Elaine Colandrea and Dancers of Rhinebeck, New York. Her current passions are dance/theater improvisation and Continuum Movement, a somatic exploratory practice.
Beverly Fields Burnette is a school social worker, storyteller, and published poet. Her poetry and free lance articles have appeared in several newspapers and anthologies. She has written for local children's television, edited a weekly children's advice column and acted in local children's theater. Her book, KC Takes a Stand, is used in community groups and schools as a drug prevention activity book for kids. She is the proud mother of two adult daughters, Tara Burnette McGill and Teri Burnette.
Susan Gittler – Susan's 20+ years of modern dance teaching, performing, and choreographing began during her freshman year in college. She was a member of the original Humphrey-Wideman Dance Company, and faculty of Dance at the University of Rochester. Following another 20 years of working as a counselor and studying sculpture in Japan, Israel, and New York, Susan returned to modern dance, and has continued to perform in many venues.
Ginny Going is a community artist, certified InterPlay leader, co-director of Off The Deep End Ensemble and a recovering serious person. She leads InterPlay workshops and retreats in a variety of settings. InterPlay is an art form, a spiritual practice and a way to create community based in improvisation and play. 919-821-3723. interplaync@nc.rr.com www.interplaync.org
Stacy Miller is a dancer, fiber artist, and Reiki practitioner. She is a certified teacher of InterPlay and member of Off the Deep End Ensemble. Her solo debut at Common Ground Theatre this past April featured an evening-length performance of her own work in movement and storytelling. She has a BFA in Modern Dance, is a Reiki practitioner, creates hand-woven wall hangings, and has written a memoir that no one has read... yet.
Sample Program
Fearrington Village Barn, November 16, 2007
| Prelude (Rene Aubry, Music) | |
| Daughter of... | Stacy & Ensemble |
| Life's Little Instructions #3 | Jody |
| Caught (Torgue & Houppin, Music) | Glenna & Ginny |
| One Moment in Time | Constance |
| Shabi Kabuki | Glenna & Anne |
| Blood Ties (Donna & Janet, Vocals | Ginny |
| Pilates Blues (Little Milton, Music) | Glenna |
| Farewell! |
Want to become a Wise Crack?
The Wise Cracks is a ‘pickup' company. There are no rehearsals, and no long-term commitment is required. Each woman speaks from her own voice, in her own voice, or joins readily in improvising with a playful spirit. If you're interested in participating in future performances as a Wise Crack, please talk with Glenna at the reception after any show, or Contact: glenna@mindspring.com or call (919) 545-3032.
For Bookings
Contact: Glenna Batson (919) 545-3032 or (919) 619-0008 cell or glenna@mindspring.com