Guest post: Written by Samantha Szynskie
HA! This show….so many things!
I had the pleasure of attending what was one of the funniest performances I’ve seen in an long time this past weekend here at SomaSpace. Kelly Nesbitt conceived and performed a hilarious, yet poignant, piece about the personal challenges, learned stereotypes, conditioned expectations, and beautiful divinity of female sexuality.
Nesbitt’s character of “Dr. Tallulah” was a clever mix of exaggerated physical humor, quick, witty lines that surprised and delighted, and silent, serious moments that made me, a female participant in her “therapeutic healing session”, sigh in understanding and compassion for the confusion around female sexuality she conveyed so brilliantly from behind a comedic veil. The elements of this performance complimented one another so well – the serious was lightened up by ridiculous pelvic undulations and a spunky Irish accent…and the hysterical was quieted by moments of vulnerability around intimacy.
“Vaginal Consciousness”, as Dr. Tallulah coins it, is the level of consciousness above all! The next level we are challenged to recognize and attain through an endless mix of ancient and modern day healing modalities…all of which Dr. Tallulah is specialized in…of course!!!
I could go on about this show – but instead I’ll recommend you see it for yourself next time Nesbitt performs here in Portland. You won’t be disappointed!
Here’s the formal description of the show:
“Dr. Tallulah is a fiery Shamanic Healer, Sexual Activist, Zen Cosmetologist, and Vaginal Consciousness (VAGCON™) Pioneer! Imagine a metaphysical cross between Archie Bunker, Dr Ruth, Carol Burnett, Shirley Valentine, Edith Bouvier Beale, and Maria Bamford with a Celtic twist and a wee bit of Viagra then you are a tad closer to understanding who Dr Tallulah is.
VAGCON™ is a workshop/performance that will be part of Fertile Ground Festival this January and led by Dr Tallulah. It integrates group thrusting, fake orgasmic breathing, 3rd eye rubbing, traumatic story telling (with a twist!) and consumption of powerful jungle medicine. We utilize Qi-Gong Gi-Long foam rolling movement techniques, laughter-based therapy, and reversed Gestaltian methods to emphasize the phenomenality of both client (Dr Tallulah) and therapist (Audience) to safely cultivate attunement, freedom, and reconnect with our VAGCON™. This is the work! Anyone interested in becoming more connected to the VAGCON™ is welcome—beginners, cismales, wounded healers, seasoned practitioners. No vagina is necessary to tap into the fold!
In Addition…
As Dr Tallulah wields her cosmic workshop on Vaginal Consciousness (VAGCON™), we, her audience, lay witness to her humorous and spiraling descent into the exploration of her sexuality, which then ultimately reveals her HEART’S truest desires. This original performance/workshop is a combination of pratfall/seriousness, uses pathos, and taps into the zeitgeist of a New Age baby boomer generation. The story walks the line between satire and the performer’s (Nesbitt’s) own vulnerability in her quest for intimacy. This is the work!”
Artist Info:
https://kelly-nesbitt.squarespace.com/dr-tallulah
Photos courtesy of Jessica Rental Rambers.