Nov. 4, 2015

Contact David Gardiner at 608-796-3790 or dmgardiner@viterbo.edu

VITERBO TO PRESENT GIRLS LIKE THAT NOV. 13–14; NOV. 20–22

LA CROSSE, Wis. – Viterbo University theatre and music theatre students will present the drama Girls Like That Friday, Nov. 13–Saturday, Nov. 14 and Friday, Nov. 20–Sunday, Nov. 22 in the Fine Arts Center LaCroix Black Box Theatre.

Girls Like That is a play about girls, boys, feminism, friendship, peer pressure, self-image, self-esteem, social media, and online shaming. When a naked picture of Scarlett gets sent around the school on everyone’s cell phone in a matter of minutes, the fall out reveals the underlying social dynamic as her peer group, previously her close friends, distance themselves from Scarlett. The audience will see their own vulnerabilities and anxieties about their self-image and sexuality exposed. When a photograph of Russell also circulates, the double standards for girls and boys are also revealed.

Girls Like That is an engaging and challenging play which moves between the present day and key moments in history when young women challenged the social conventions of their times and fought for equality for women.

“The play is very relevant to what is happening today,” said David Gardiner, the Viterbo faculty member who is directing the production. “In the age of the Internet and social media, our society and laws are behind the culture, which has undergone a huge change. High school students, especially girls, have conflicting media messages to deal with in their lives. The Internet is the new, untamed world.”

The script allows for some improvising, and this Viterbo production is devised theatre and an ensemble driven project, Gardiner said. The cast of 13 young female actors incorporated experiences in their own lives into the story and dialogue.

“Girls Like That really speaks to young people,” Gardiner said. “They will immediately be able to identify with everything in the play. It is a very true reflection of the lives of many high school girls. Audience members will both learn something and be entertained.”

Girls Like That contains language and themes appropriate for mature audiences. It was written by Evan Placey and is presented by arrangement with Nick Hern Books.

Performance times are 7:30 p.m., except for the Nov. 22 performance, which is at 2 p.m. Tickets are $14 for general admission seating. For more information or to order tickets, contact the Viterbo box office at 608-796-3100 or visit www.viterbo.edu/tickets.

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