About the project
Domestic Violence Project
Dramatic Reading of A Streetcar Named Desire, by Tennessee Williams
Directed by Bryan Doerries
The Domestic Violence Project is a public health project that presents scenes from Tennessee Williams’ A Streetcar Named Desire as a catalyst for guided discussions about the impact of domestic violence on individuals, couples, children, caregivers, and communities. This unique participatory event is designed to generate open discussion among audiences to raise awareness, foster compassion, and inspire action with regard to the consequences of domestic violence as experienced by individuals, couples, children, and communities. This project premiered in Portland, Maine in 2013 through a collaboration with the Maine Humanities Council, and has since been presented on university campuses and military installations throughout the country. Under our current Public Artist in Residence initiative, the project has been presented in public high schools, public housing developments, libraries, and community centers in partnership with the Mayor's Office to End Domestic and Gender-Based Violence.
I was struck by the moment when Stella came back to Stanley, and they held each other. It’s so complicated. It’s never black and white.
About the play
-
A Streetcar Named Desire by Tennessee Williams
The Domestic Violence Project presents scenes 3 and 4 from Tennessee Williams’ A Streetcar Named Desire, depicting the infamous poker night and its aftermath in Williams’ iconic American play: Stanley and the boys are up late playing poker in small apartment where he lives with his wife, Stella. When Stella and her sister Blanche arrive home, a violent altercation ensues, and when the drunken Stanley becomes violent, his friends are forced to pin him down while Stella retreats to a neighbor’s home. Stanley’s breaks down and begs Stella to come back to him, which she does. The next day Blanche confronts Stella over Stanley’s behavior and, much to her surprise, learns that Stella does not wish to leave Stanley.
Highlights
A Streetcar Named Desire: Let’s Talk About Domestic Violence
Bangor Maine / 2013
The Domestic Violence Project was featured on bangordailynews.com
Explore Projects
-
Natural DisasterBook of JobDeveloped in collaboration with PopTech, The Book of Job was created to promote healing dialogue within the community of Joplin, which was devastated by a tornado in May 2011. The project has since been presented all over the country and the world, from New York City (Hurricane Sandy), to Pascagoula, MS (10-year anniversary of Hurricane Katrina), to Japan (Fukushima)
-
Addiction & Substance AbuseRum and VodkaThis project presents a one-man Irish play about a 24-year-old whose life is coming apart, due to drinking, in order to provoke discussions about alcoholism and addiction within diverse communities.
-
Natural DisasterThe Tohoku ProjectThe Tohoku Project: Sumidagawa presents powerful dramatic readings by professional actors of Sumidagawa, a Noh play from the early 15th Century that timelessly depicts the unique challenges faced by parents in the wake of unimaginable disaster. Each reading is followed by the responses of community panelists, culminating in a lively, facilitated audience discussion. This interactive event promotes healthy, constructive dialogue about the lasting impact of the Tohoku disaster upon individuals, families, and communities—fostering compassion, understanding, awareness, and positive action.