50 Years of Female Empowerment Returns to CPA Stage
Governors State’s theatrical tribute “From Tina to Beyonce': 50 Years of Female Empowerment” may have been postponed last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but it is returning to The Center for Performing Arts’ (CPA) virtual stage in time for Women’s History Month.
Led and performed by students, community members and alumna, it will be live streamed on March 11 with the recorded performance available until April 7.
The show, a collaboration of several pieces, explores the triumphs of women’s empowerment movements through an ensemble of students and local choreographers dancing through the decades to examine women’s history.
In an interview with the Chicago Tribune, director of the show and faculty advisor for the GSU Dance Company, Megan Lindsay, said the show pays homage to all women.
“It’s really a celebration of female empowerment and women in general, embracing who we are and all of the manifestations and identities we embody,” said Lindsay.
The pieces naturally fall into three categories: the struggle of being a woman in a patriarchal society, the celebration of women empowerments through artist role models, and rebirth and rejuvenation for women everywhere.
The show is not only choreographed and performed by majority students but will be run by a completely student-led crew, including student director Jake Abels through Digital Learning and Media Design (DLMD). Opportunities like these for students to take part in hands-on experience are particularly important during the pandemic.
Jane Cox, CPA Program Director, said this was a key part of keeping the show live, as opposed to pre-recorded.
“We’re trying to keep that live element for the dancers and crew so they can get that learning experience,” she said.