“We Are Not the Same Person”: (Auto)Biography, (Self)Representation, and Brechtian Performativity In Lisa Kron’s Well

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Well is defined by its protagonist as “a multicharacter theatrical exploration of issues of health and illness both in the individual and in a community” (12). An unusual initiative for Lisa Kron, whose career has grown through one-woman shows and her participation in the Five Lesbian Brothers collective, this Brechtian creation stems from the personal and extends onto the political, using (auto)biography to discuss issues of bodily and social health while questioning the boundaries between author and character, character and actor, character/actor and audience. Through an interdisciplinary approach that activates concepts from Gender, Theater, and Performance Studies, this article intends to prove that autobiographical feminist performance is a living form, constantly updated and refreshed by committed artists; and that performed life stories contain a great potential for efficacy in the narrative of, and consciousness-raising about, issues of health and sickness in the 21st century.

RESUMEN: La protagonista de Well define la obra como una exploración teatral con varios personajes sobre asuntos de salud y enfermedad, tanto a nivel individual como comunitario (12). Iniciativa poco frecuente para Lisa Kron, que ha construido su carrera a partir de espectáculos tipo “solo” y de su participación en el colectivo Five Lesbian Brothers, esta creación brechtiana parte de lo personal y se expande hacia lo político a la vez que cuestiona los límites autora-personaje, personaje-actor, personaje/actor-público. Con un enfoque interdisciplinario que activará conceptos de las áreas de Estudios Teatrales, de Performance y de Género, este artículo pretende demostrar que la performance feminista autobiográfica es una forma viva en constante actualización por parte de artistas comprometidas, y que la puesta en escena de historias de vida contiene un gran potencial de eficacia en la narrativa de y toma de conciencia sobre asuntos de salud y enfermedad en el siglo XXI.