performance

Spinster's Ball

Malice Dreaming Productions presents:

Spinster's Ball
spin·ster (n.)
1. A woman who has remained single beyond the conventional age for marrying.
2. A single woman.
3. A person whose occupation is spinning.

This is a show exploring different facets of female independence in those who were/ are typecast as spinsters....How and why these characters came to be spinsters, voluntarily or circumstantially.....and their varying emotional states in response.


2 shows!
Friday, July 24th at 9:00pm ~ http://fridayspinster.eventbrite.com
Saturday, July 25th at 9:00pm ~ http://saturdayspinster.eventbrite.com


"When a stereotype is outside or deviant from what people generally consider normal, these stereotypes function as a form of social control. In fact, historically spinsters have been controlled by society. Until the late 19th century, unmarried women could not own property and were subject to the financial control of the family hierarchy."


Haskell succinctly describes our collective uneasiness with the stereotype: “Like 'witch', 'spinster' was a scareword, a stereotype that served to embrace and isolate a group of women of vastly different dispositions, talents, situations, but whose common bond – never having become half of a pair – was enough to throw into question the rules and presumed priorities on which society was founded” (p. 18).
(Haskell, M. (1988). "Paying Homage to the Spinster". New York Times Magazine, May 8, 18-20.)

"She is usually alone, or living with an extended family. She is considered a societal outcast living in the shadow of others. She makes those around her uncomfortable."


"A theory has been proposed saying that when women have not been biological mothers, society expects them to fulfill the role of “social mothers.” Since a spinster has no children of her own, society expects her to step in and fulfill a generic mothering role when called upon – it’s her 'duty'."

The stages of infancy, childhood, and adolescence are temporary and considered part of normal development. But when a person remains in one stage too long (i.e. spinsters staying single), this behavior is looked at suspiciously. “..the single woman has historically been both intriguing and a challenge to men when she is young. But prolonged singleness — even prolonged virginity — is still suspect”. Furthermore, married women tend to be suspicious of single women and view them as either a personal or societal threat.

"Even though there has been a shift in our perception of this creature, the spinster, we still are not comfortable with her. There is still something suspect about female independence, something that still threatens the status quo."

Dates:
Jul 25 - 9:00 pm
Jul 24 - 9:00 pm

Pricing Info:
Tickets: $11 in advance, $20 at the door, if seating is available ...... Advance ticket sales will end at 3pm the day of each performance

Location:
Studio A Dance
2306 Hyperion Avenue
Silver Lake, CA 90027