How to be a lesbian in 10 days

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How to be a lesbian in 10 days

By The Athlesbian ⋅ February 22, 2012 ⋅ Post a comment

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When I heard this stand up/motivational piece was coming to Chicago I threw my fist in the air and screamed, “Damn you world! Where were you when I was young and too confused to even consider who I really was!” Ok, so maybe I didn’t throw my fist in the air…nor do I think I’ll ever stop being confused by just about everything, but I am truly interested in what Butchy McDyke has to tell me. Butchy is a character from Leigh Hendrix’s solo performance How to Be a Lesbian in 10 Days that will be in Chicago for one night at Mary’s Attic on February 23rd at 8pm. Her performance is an exploration of self-discovery and first love, coming out, lesbian sex, queer politics, and a really important Reba McEntire song as Hendrix’s characters teach us to confidently shout, “I’m a big ‘ol dyke!” Hendrix, who wrote and performs this artistical treat weaves a story that is one part instructional seminar, one part personal story, and one part wacky performance art. Hendrix says, “The show is deeply personal and incredibly silly at the same time. It’s a story about figuring out for yourself who you are and how that you are connected to everybody else. And there’s dancing. Really ridiculous dancing.”

Where does an actress come from that can guide us through performance to the promised land of self comprehension and acceptance? South Carolina of course! Myrtle Beach…it’s not just for grandparents anymore! Rather it is where a well educated, polished storyteller began her life. Hendrix is now settled in the colony of Providence, RI, where she sharpens her performance artistry. I had the chance to ask Hendrix a few questions recently.

Me: I know this piece began in college and has been recently “polished”, but why did you feel it was something you had to continue to develop?

Hendrix: The piece was a graduate project while I was studying at Emerson College, but I began developing the character of Butchy McDyke and imagining ways to tell my story outside of the university setting. I felt like I was being told there was only one way to talk about being a lesbian, that there was this prescription for how to look, what music to listen to, what kinds of friends to have, what your history must look like. And I am a performer; I am a storyteller, so I made a show that challenges some of those prescriptions. It’s mine.

Me: Who are you speaking to with this performance and what emotions are you trying to conjure?

Hendrix: I am speaking to anyone who wants to listen, really. It isn’t a show only for dykes and in fact it is only recently that my audiences have even had more than one or two lesbians! I want people first of all to have a good time, to laugh and be swept up in the story and be a part of the show. I want people to find the places they connect to the story, recognize the ways their experience of the world is different. It’s pretty personal, but it’s not sappy or heavy – it’s silly and fun but earnest too.

Me: Are you trying to provoke dialogue and if so what are you hoping people are talking about? What have you heard people discuss after seeing your show?

Hendrix: I would love for people to talk about new things, ask questions of me or of one another, of themselves. I’ve gotten a lot of questions about the “truth” of the personal stuff in the show, if those are things that really happened, and I have certainly had people talk about the ways they connected unexpectedly to a story really different from their own.

Me: So, your character Butchy McDyke, is she single? What kind of places does Butchy hang out at? Do you think Butchy would have a chance against CLLAW reigning champion ARMMEGEDON in a foot race or hot dog eating contest?

Hendrix: Butchy McDyke is married to the job of being a motivational speaker and expert lesbian – she can’t commit to one lady because she is committed to helping all lesbians be the best lesbians they can be. She likes to hang out in lady-owned coffee shop slash bookstores and karaoke bars, always looking out for a talented partner to harmonize on “Closer to Fine.” Butchy is pretty competitive and would totally be in it to win it against ARMeggedon in a foot race but the hotdogs would need to be vegetarian – she’s a dyke after all.

I know one thing, Butchy McDyke, I wanna be a lady with a lot more lady in my life and I think you can help me… this show seems to be right up my alley and most likely hits home for you, too. So, I hope to see each and every one of you out at Mary’s Attic (5400 N Clark, upstairs from Hamburger Mary’s, look for the big purple door on Clark just North of Mary’s main entrance )on February 23rd at 8pm. Tickets are $10, let them know that you heard about the show from The L Stop you’ll get in for $8. Mary’s home brews are $4 and DJ Catnip is spinning after the show until 2am! Check out http://www.howtobealesbianin10daysorless.com for more information.