RAMBLE-ATIONS by D'Lo Comes to Brava

Sri Lankan transgender performer D'Lo will perform his critically acclaimed work Ramble-Ations written and performed by D'Lo and directed by Adelina Anthony. Rambel-Ations characterizes a family's homeland as a forgotten entity in the American upbringing of D'Lo's southern California lifestyle.

As America debates the state of its borders and threat of mass immigration, Ramble-Ations reminds us of the cultural tensions and synergies that define and affirm us as a nation. Performance/Theater artist D'Lo grew up gay in a Hindu Sri Lankan family in Los Angeles County while immersed in Hip Hop youth culture. This potpourri of influences, often at odds with each other, serves as the basis for the uproarious parade of personalities D'Lo brings to the stage.

"Gay Hindu Hip Hop--these three things make me, however, they don't allow for one another. This is my attempt at fusing these elements of my being (and my imaginary friends) onto the stage," D'Lo remarks. D'Lo's concerns are both deeply personal and universal. In small, delicate strokes, D'Lo reflects upon what it means to be a person of color, to be gay, and to be from an immigrant minority. In the broader composition, D'Lo raises a much larger question about what it means to live in America, where one's national, ethnic, and cultural lineage is constantly challenged by assimilation and normalization. These conflicts arise in confrontations with popular culture, as well as in friendships and familial relationships.

The ever versatile D'Lo plays all roles in this struggle, deftly shifting from hyper-emotional American princess to a reincarnated Mahatma Gandhi. With the introduction of each new character, we spiral closer to D'Lo's core, while simultaneously expanding outward to an ever widening portrait of contemporary American life. Along the bumpy road of Ramble-Ations, we meet D'Lo's bemused and befuddled Amma (mother). She quizzically probes at her daughter's sexuality and assimilation into American life, recalling: "In 1999 my daughter told me she was 'a gay'. Then, she further explained that not only is she 'a gay', she is feeling like a little boy trapped in a woman's body. I tell you, we should have never left Sri Lanka!"

The diverse cast could serve as the basis of a variety show or sit-com, butting up against each other in hilarious succession. D'Lo, their common vessel, stitches each element of this patchwork to the adjoining square, producing a colorful quilt, with more than a few mismatched patterns.

But perhaps the most poignant role D'Lo plays is D'Lo's everyday self, eloquently speaking about coming out to family and carving a place in the world as D'Lo moves from youth to adulthood. Spiritual crises meet the banality of daily life as D'Lo asks who s/he is and who s/he will become. We eagerly await the answers from this "One D'Lo's" artistic imagination. Most interesting, though, is D'Lo's first-hand account of discovering sexuality amidst a world determine to define all sexuality in categories. D'Lo's humorous account of being "a dutiful son" to her parents; the inspiration drawn from seeing an unshaven transgender man dressed as a woman on the subway; and video footage of her mother imitating some of the bling-wearing denizens on BET makes this production entertaining and relevant.

Described as a "jolt of creative and comedic energy", D'Lo is a Tamil Sri Lankan-American, political theatre artist/writer and music producer who considers the Bay Area a second home as a performer.

"D'Lo's work is a part of the vibrant tapestry that sheds light on many of the issues of modern day society; brutality, justice, AIDS, sexuality, political and social unrest and division along ethnic and gender lines," say Artistic Director Raelle Myrick-Hodges. "This piece allows for a deeper dialogue on what it means to be American and I'm honored to have it on the Brava stage, especially in celebration of Women's History Month."

D'Lo has collaborated with peformance groups (Artwallah, Great Leap, Arpana Dance Company, Mujeres de Maiz) as well as being published in various magazines and anthologies. D'Lo has taken who work throughout the US and Canada, United Kingdom, Germany, Sri Lanka and India. D'Lo holds a BA from UCLA in Ethnomusicology and is a graduate of New York's School of Audio Engineering (SAE).

D'Lo will also be holding two 4 week long Workshops
Writing for Performance
March 15 - April 5, 2010, Mondays 7-10pm
$100 for 4 workshops
Research has shown that public speaking is the #1 fear. The 2nd is death. This concludes that one would prefer to be in the casket at a funeral than delivering a eulogy... Jokes aside, people are truly fearful of presenting for the public. However, this does not negate the fact that there is a little performer in all of us; one who desires to creatively express, entertain, amuse, stir emotions or stir others to action.

D'Lo has been teaching creative workshops for over a decade and has created a series of workshops for writers, poets, actors and performance artists, and those who think they are not artistic! The workshops are geared to cultivate an appreciation of the arts, tackle writing or creative blocks, develop skills in public speaking and performing, and nurture environments for artists to listen, give and receive constructive feedback.

D'Lo provides several exercises that encourage creative writing with a focus on personal memories and how they can be used in artistic discoveries. D'Lo also guides participants in D's trademark "out of body" exercises to free folks from the pressure of deciding "what" to write about. These exercises are intended to stimulate the imagination and create and harness moments of inspiration for personal and artistic development. This particular workshop offers techniques in battling writer's block and stage fright, and stimulates the creative joys of imaginatively crafting personal herstories/histories.

Queer Masculinity Workshop
March 16-April 6, 2010, Tuesdays 7-10pm
$100 for 4 workshops
D'Lo has created this workshop geared specifically for masculine identified women (stud, ag, butch) and transgender/boi/ftm's. The workshop revolves around gender presentation, female masculinity, butch/femme dichotomy, reactions and adoption and adaptation to heterosexuality and hetero masculinity and other breakdowns within gender and sexual orientation. Time will be allotted and structured for solely writing, but a large chunk of time will be set aside to only work on theater arts and readings for the stage.

This workshop focuses on finding a creative voice through writing and ways to enhance the written words through performance. Participants will engage in exercises that allow experimentations in writing, reading and performing work, analyzing and adapting to the challenges of different venues, connecting with audiences, and techniques to strengthen and prepare the body and voice for performance.

Brava has offered development support for D'Lo's play "Boys That Pray" and this workshop is part of this development. Non-Actors also encouraged to apply.

Ramble-Ations
Written and Performed by D'Lo
Directed by Adelina Anthony
Tickets $10-$25

Performance Dates, Times and Prices
Wednesday, March 17, 8pm Preview: $10
Thursday, March 18, - Opening Night - 8pm: $25
Friday, March 19, 8pm: $20
Saturday, March 20, 8pm: $20
Sunday, March 21, 3pm: $15
Thursday, March 25, 8pm: $20
Friday, March 26, 8pm: $20
Saturday, March 27, 8pm: $20
Sunday, March 28, 3pm: $15
Thursday, April 1, 8pm: $20
Friday, April 2, 8pm: $20
Saturday, April 3, 8pm: $25

Where:Brava Theater Center - 2nd Stage
2781 24th Street, San Francisco, CA 94110
Box Office: 415.641.2822, info@brava.org
www.brava.org

 

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