How to Bruise Gracefully

Cadence in partnership with Virginia Repertory Theatre presents the world premiere of How to Bruise Gracefully.

2023 RTCC Award Nominations
Tatjana Shields, Best Supporting Performance (Play)
Best Original Work

Written by Brittany Fisher
Direction by Melissa Mowry

May 12–21, 2023
Libby S. Gottwald Playhouse

View the playbill here.

CAST
Vi… Nena Nicole
Stevie… Chayla Simpson
Rose/Police Officer… Monique Davis
Fuschia/Physician A… Tatjana Shields
Magenta/Paramedic B… Alex Whitehead
Physician… Noah Jennings
Physician… Derek Gayle
Physician… Andrew Gall

PRODUCTION TEAM
Director… Melissa Mowry
Properties Designer… Faith Carlson
Costume Designer… Margarette Joyner
Lighting Designer… Michael Jarett
Scenic Designer… Dasia Gregg
Fight Choreographer… Aaron Orensky
Production Manager & Stage Manager… Shawanna Hall
Costume Assistant… Shalandis Wheeler Smith

STAGE MANAGEMENT & CREW
Assistant Stage Managers… Timothy Glover, Jae Austin
Technical Direction… Bruce Rennie
Master Electrician… Michael Jarett
Carpenters… Tommy Hawfield, Hans Paul, Carol-Anne Petit, Mckinley Sprinkle
Scenic Painting… Dasia Gregg
Wardrobe Assistant/Crew… Courtney Holmes
Projections Operator/Crew… Terra Comer
ASM Production… Kaylin Corbin, Scott Nuckols, Emily Parker

ADMINISTRATIVE & MARKETING
Artistic & Managing Director— Anna Senechal Johnson
Director of Education— Laine Satterfield
Pipeline New Works Fellowship Program— Chris and David Lindsay-Abaire, Clay McLeod Chapman
Sitelines BLM Director— Omiyemi (Artisia) Green
Associate Artists— Sharon Ott, Rusty Wilson
Development Specialist— Diane Carpenter
Graphic Designer— Druanne Cummins
Photographers— Jason Collins Photography, Jay Paul Photography
Communications and Social Media Associate— Sara Krivanec
Communications Associate and Dramaturg— Liv Wilson
Videography and Editing— Fotochrome, Red Summit, Drew Brown, Michael Duni, Alexyn Scheller
Sound Production— Joey Luck
Bookkeeper— Jill Porcelli
Special Events Coordinator— Melissa Johnston Price
Webmaster— Skye Shannon

Intern Company 2022-23 — Jae Austin, Terra Comer, Timothy Glover, Teairrah Green, Maggie Higginbotham, Alexia Hopson, Daniel Kunkel, Lavina Lionne, Kristen Woolridge

Publicity and Reviews

“How to Bruise Gracefully delves into the mistreatment of Black women in American medicine, illustrating both our progress and the vast distance we still have yet to travel. It not only amplifies their voices but also presents a love letter to these women, deeply intertwined with ritual and cultural practices.”
—Monica Moehring, RVA Mag (May 18, 2023)

“What starts as a typical day becomes an exploration of trauma, resilience, human connection and bodily autonomy through the stories and experiences of women.”
— Debora Timms, Richmond Free Press (May 11, 2023)

“Cadence Theatre Company’s production of How to Bruise Gracefully by Brittany Fisher, successfully merges humor with hard history. The play reveals the links between the discrimination of Black people in America today to the historical oppression and trauma of their ancestors. This play discusses issues like abortion and overall bodily autonomy in a captivating manner, and nuances of the title “How to Bruise Gracefully” are revealed in stunning monologues that leave the audience with chills.”
— Manya Suri, KdentsTV Student Leader