Business
Not just women’s business. Everybody’s business
Businesswoman of the year is successful in her work but is personally struggling with a health issue. Her fear paralyses her. Her brother kept at arm’s length; her mother sidelined. What stops us from accessing services and support? Intergenerational avoidance, busy-ness, fear, past trauma with systems? How do we name and face our death anxiety? Did you book your screening or not?
What excites you the most about this project and what are you hoping to get out of your residency?
Family is everything yet there are things we don’t talk about, that that we need to talk about. Theatre is an excellent vehicle for this. suffering in silence and we don’t have to. I have seen that people want to talk about it, and they want to cry about it. They want to celebrate their remission and grieve their unexpected losses.
What will be the focus of your residency and what are the themes, concepts, or methods you are interested in exploring through your work?
Cancer impacts us all, through our own bodies or that of a loved one. I want to acknowledge this for the audience: to include, without frightening away. Can I invite them to face their fears and courage, without retraumatizing them? How far “onto” the stage will they come? Emotionally, yes, but will they physically join us through the 4th wall?
A part of The Blue Room Theatre’ 2026 Development Incubator Program.
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Lead Artist
Barbara Hostalek