OUR GARDEN PARTIES

In these events, four women+ writers present fifteen minute excerpts of their work, read by actors, to a supportive audience ready to provide constructive feedback. When audience members arrive, they receive a playbill with information on the pieces and several questions chosen by the writers. They are given time between each piece to jot down their thoughts, grab a drink and speak to the writers and performers. The writers not only get to hear their work read out-loud by professional actors, but they also get to take home an envelope of written down feedback to keep developing their work.

*Garden Party photos taken by Christine Grobelny

THE ORIGINS OF THE GARDEN PARTY

The name “The Garden Party” was inspired by Nathalie Barney. She would host meetings in her townhouse in Paris for friends in the late 1890s/early 1900s, and created daring performances for them. Hers were the most famous for their extravagance, but many women at the time found room to express themselves in their homes (the one place they had autonomy over) with their guests as their audience. These house parties organized by women, both rich and poor, were the first ever stages for women playwrights, directors, producers, actors, etc. We want to honor them.