Body image concerns, social insecurity, the lure of over-indulgent parties—it’s just another day for the average college female. Brimming with humor and a powerful message, the West Virginia University School of Theatre & Dance will present seven performances of Real Girls Can’t Win by Merri Biechler.
Assistant Professor Bryce Britton will direct the play, and performances will be in the Gladys Davis Theatre. The performance times are Thursday through Saturday, Jan. 14-16, at 7:30 p.m., Sunday, Jan. 17, at 2 p.m., and Thursday through Saturday, Jan. 21-23, at 7:30 p.m.
College freshman Katie considers herself a “real girl,” but when beauty queen and member of the “Slut Movement” Dakota announces she’s running for “Miss Freshman B Dorm,” Katie joins the race in the name of “Real Girls” everywhere. But in an age of internet images and instant fame, how does a girl stay real? And what does the word “slut” truly mean?
As war rages, the battle between the Real Girls and Copy Girls quickly becomes ruthless. Everything from sex for power to body image to drug use and humiliation are at play – that is until the reality of a shamed student’s suicide after a night of binge drinking makes everyone re-evaluate what really matters in life.
Real Girls Can’t Win enjoyed a very successful run last spring with the LAB Theatre, having to turn away students at nearly every performance. The play is returning this spring, and although some cast changes have occurred, the story is still something every student should see.
“Real Girls was a very moving experience for me. I see so much of real life in the play and the passion of the students. Thank you for sharing this evening with me,” said WVU President E. Gordon Gee.
Playwright Merri Biechler is an Adjunct Professor of Playwriting and Text Analysis in the Theater Division at Ohio University. Her plays include_ Tammy Faye’s Final Audition, Bombs, Babes and Bingo, Clubbed Thumb_ (Biennial Commission Finalist) and Confessions of a Reluctant Caregiver (Princess Grace Award finalist.) Real Girls Can’t Win is the winner of the Centenary Stage Company’s 2009 Women Playwrights Series.
Admission is free for Real Girls Can’t Win, but seating is limited. Attendance forms for classes will be made available.
For more information on this production, or to organize a performance of Real Girls Can’t Win, please visit theatre.wvu.edu, call 304.293.2020, or email theatre@mail.wvu.edu.
-WVU-
12/16/15
CONTACT: Joe Gay, GTA Publicity, School of Theatre & Dance
304.293.2020, JMGay@mix.wvu.edu
David Welsh, College of Creative Arts
304.293.4359, David.Welsh@mail.wvu.edu