As part of its summer season, Empire Stage teams up with new theatre company, Kutumba Theatre Project, to present the world premiere of Baby GirL. The play is a dramedy based on a true story, written and directed by Kim Ehly . Baby GirL was conceived in a writing workshop held by Connie Congdon in New York City, in conjunction with a personal monologue exercise in a Strasberg scene study class. The monologue was supposed to be two pages long, but ended up being seventeen and half pages. While in its development stage, a reading of Baby GirL was well received at the New Theatre in Coral Gables, FL. The screenplay version of Baby GirL placed as a finalist at the NewFest Film Festival in New York City.
Baby GirL is the story of a spirited young daydreamer, named Ashley, who goes on an extraordinary journey to find love and a place to call home, after coming out as a lesbian, and being alienated by her adoptive family. She ponders that she has figuratively been conceived twice in one lifetime. Once by the illegitimate passionate sex of a young couple in love, and next by an uptight, conservative, married couple to whom she represents that which they can neither stand nor understand. When Ashley’s fantasies meet reality, we can expect the unexpected.
Baby GirL is the first production for Kutumba Theatre Project. Kim Ehly, founder of Kutumba Theatre Project, is a 28 year veteran of the theatre and has worked in film, tv, and theatre in NYC, LA, and South Florida. Kutumba has various meanings in many languages and they all resonate with the mission of the Kutumba Theatre Project. Kutumba: to leap, to strut proudly, a unique bond amongst community members, family or kin. Kutumba Theatre Project is a collective focusing on works and the development of works that give a voice to the LGBT community, women’s interests, and other under served communities.
Baby GirL is scheduled to appear July 13 – August 5 at Empire Stage. Empire Stage is an artist-driven collective that produces new and existing works for the diverse audiences of Fort Lauderdale, including the LGBT community and senior population. It is located at 1140 North Flagler Dr. in Fort Lauderdale, FL. For tickets and information please contact them by phone at 954-678-1496 or visit them on line at www.smarttix.com or www.empirestage.com.
*Warning: this play contains adult subject matter
