On Saturday July 23, the Guadalupe Cultural Arts Center will present Women of Ill Repute: REFUTE!, a play consisting of prose and poetry performed by five women, each noted poets and authors in their own right. Several of the women identify as queer.
The group, Women of Ill Repute, founded by Amalia Ortiz, originally came together to raise funds for the Rape Crisis Center performing at local college campuses, and various venues between 1999 and 2002. In April of 2001 they gave two sold out performances at the Guadalupe Cultural Arts Center.
Now, fifteen years after their first performance at the historic theatre, the group will reunite, with proceeds once again going to the Rape Crisis Center.
Through their poetry readings the women challenge notions of gender and identity, and even explore issues concerning violence and abuse. The group emphasizes “sisterhood” yet encourages “self-discovery” among its members and audiences.
Immediately after the performance, Dr. Patricia Portales will moderate a Q&A with the cast (Victoria Garcia Zapata-Klien, Amalia Ortiz, Maria Ibarra, Andi Garcia-Linn and Lisa Cortez Walden) and staff from the Rape Crisis Center.
Women of Ill Repute: REFUTE! Saturday, July 23 at 8 p.m. at the Guadalupe Cultural Arts Center, 723 South Brazos. Admission $12 – $15. guadalupeculturalarts.org
