Power to Pleasing: The Sex Lives of Teenage Girls. Conceived/Written/Performed by: Christa Ray, Liz Stanton, Bethany Jean Urban. Photo Credit: Pamela Traynor   Power to Pleasing is a theatrical performance/event staged in a ladies bathroom. Outrageous, real teen stories are performed in an intimate setting, with stunning light effects and a contemporary look at age-old issues that women as well as men, from teens to adults, can relate to. The audience not only watches the actors, but themselves and each other in the mirrors. That, and the crowded environment of audience members standing shoulder to shoulder and actors moving through them to and from the stalls, creates a visceral tension and excitement that intensifies the somatic experience of the raw, honest stories being shared. One audience member said, “It’s more of an event than theater.” The show first premiered at Naropa University, Boulder Colorado in February, 2005. Other performance runs include: August 21-27, 2005 Boulder International Fringe Festival April, 2006 University of Colorado for theater department and Farrand Hall August, 2006 Boulder International Fringe Festival September, 2006 and 2007 University of Colorado, Farrand Hall December, 2006 Dairy Center for the Arts, Boulder, CO May 10-20, 2007 Dairy Center for the Arts, Boulder, CO May 16-24, 2008 Orlando International Fringe Theatre Festival August, 2008 Boulder International Fringe Festival September, 2008 University of Colorado, Farrand Hall February, 2009 Denison University, Theater Department and Shorney Hall January 29-30, 2010 Denison University “A true example of how performance art can be truly meaningful to society” Writers, actors and producers Christa Ray, Liz Stanton and Bethany Jean Urban are graduates of Naropa University’s 2006 MFA Class. Several works were developed during Tectonic Theater Project’s residency in the program. Under the guidance of Pulitzer Prize–winning playwright Moisés Kaufman and Leigh Fondakowski, head writer of The Laramie Project, Power to Pleasing was one of the plays to emerge. “Edgy, brave, speaking what needs to be spoken” Power to Pleasing: The Sex Lives of Teenage Girls appeared as part of the 2005 and 2006 Boulder International Fringe Festival and was selected “Pick of the Fringe” both years. All shows are followed by a talk-back with the artists. Shows are often arranged for special audiences such as ‘All Teens,’ ‘All Male,’ ‘Parent/Child.’ “I was moved for days after the show” Post-show talk-backs for these audiences focus on issues and experiences pertaining to these special audiences. The talk-back circles involve community dialogue and the sharing of reactions to the show, as well as personal stories told by audience members. Because of the highly charged nature of the performance, the talk-back offers audience members a chance to process their emotional reactions and decompress, before leaving the theater.   A really necessary piece of theatre. I’m just glad that there are people out there prepared to tackle issues and do so with wit, insight and ingenuity. And even better, they openly encourage discussion about their...

Pressure to Prove: The Sex Lives of Teenage Boys. Produced/Conceived/Directed by: the creators of Power to Pleasing: The Sex Lives of Teenage Girls Funny, poignant, edgy… an intimate glimpse into the internal and external pressures in the lives of boys coming of age in our sexualized culture. The play is based on the real stories of boys giving voice to often unspoken topics. Premiered at The Dairy Center for the Arts as part of the Boulder International Fringe Festival in August, 2007. Performed/Co-Created by: Robert Paul Ryan, J Brommel, Ian Colson Design by: Pamela Traynor Photo Credit: Pamela Traynor Writers, actors and producers Christa Ray, Liz Stanton and Bethany Jean Urban are graduates of Naropa University’s 2006 MFA Class. Several works were developed during Tectonic Theater’s residency in the program. Under the guidance of Pulitzer Prize–winning playwright Moisés Kaufman and Leigh Fondakowski, head writer of The Laramie Project, Power to Pleasing: The Sex Lives of Teenage Girls was one of the plays to emerge. It has been a two-time winner of the “Pick of the Fringe” at the Boulder International Fringe Festival. Pressure to Prove was created (using the same performance generating techniques) as a companion piece to Power to Pleasing, and to respond to audiences who asked, “What is the boy’s point of view?” While I do agree this show has a much larger potential, it is still one of the most open, honest pieces I’ve seen in a long time – and dealing with some very heavy subjects. Great job to everyone involved! Good show!” *** What really happens inside a boy’s bedroom? or locker room? or in his head and heart? These are real stories, telling it (sex stories) like it is. It is important work to reveal the male side with honesty and vulnerability…thank you.” *** Every woman, man, mother, father, educator, health professional, teen over 16 should see this show. Impeccably acted and portrayed. A powerful off shoot of the brilliant women’s piece-Power to Pleasing. Bravo!” *** Great. Deep. Real. That special quality when nothing is being pushed….wonderful acting. A gift to our culture…”...

  Promiscuity, Passion and Promises: The Sex Lives of Teenagers. Conceived/Written by: Christa Ray, Liz Stanton, Bethany Jean Urban and Ensemble From the creators of the award winning Power to Pleasing: The Sex Lives of Teenage Girls, and Pressure to Prove: The Sex Lives of Teenage Boys comes the third play in Giving Voice Productions trilogy on teenage sexuality. This show brings girls and boys voices together to address the challenging issues facing teenagers with hope, humor and a look toward healing. Directed by: Bethany Jean Urban Sound Design by: Liz Stanton Production Manager: Christa Ray Performed by: Toni Bradford, Jessica Fein, Chris Hatfield, Kevin Lowry, Janna Meiring, Christa Ray, Melissa Seelig and Brock Williams. Stage Manager: Alex Hughes Photo Credit: Justin Davis Darenzo “We explored some new territory this time, including a trans-gendered character, positive first time stories, positive role models and mentors, and sex and dating in the technology generation. While our previous two pieces tended toward the harsher realities of teen sexuality, this piece looked toward healing. We still had difficult material in the piece, such as suicide and sexual violence (two huge issues facing today’s teens), but most characters found their way through to the other side and claimed their strength, their healing, and their voices.” ~Christa Ray Show premiered November 12-14, 2009 at the Dairy Center for the Arts, Boulder, CO and was followed by audience discussions and feedback to help the company take the play into its next phase of development.   People don’t get how hard it is to be a teen, but you guys got it – whether it’s me or someone I know, I know every person in this play.”   As a parent of a pre-teen, I cannot thank you enough for this brilliant production. Everything I have read and heard (and more) was here. It is hard not to be emotional just thinking about it.”        ...