Endorsements
“… a whole women’s theatre tradition in one volume… wonderful to read—rich, original, deeply affirming—and must be phenomenal to see on stage. The culture of women we have never had is invented in Carolyn Gage’s brilliant and beautiful plays.”—Andrea Dworkin, feminist philosopher activist, and author.
“The work of an experienced and esteemed playwright like Carolyn Gage is the air that modern theatre needs.—Jewelle Gomez, author of The Gilda Stories, San Francisco Arts Commissioner.
"You know in advance that Anything by Carolyn Gage is going to be interesting. It might even be genius. Over the years I have come to know her work in many genres which were produced in our festivals. Consistently well-crafted, and more importantly, brimming with humanity and insight."--Louis Lopardi, Executive Director of All Out Arts (producer of Fresh Fruit Festival), NYC
“Carolyn Gage is a fabulous feminist playwright, and a major one too. This is great theatre. Gage’s dramatic and lesbian imagination is utterly original… daring, heartbreaking, principled, bitter, and often very funny… There is no rhetoric here: only one swift and pleasurable intake of breath after another… Women’s mental health would improve, instantly, were they able to read and see these plays performed.”— Phyllis Chesler, author of Women and Madness.
“… the toughest, most lesbian/feminist-identified work for theatre I know… brilliant and daring scripts…”— John Stoltenberg, former Executive Editor, On the Issues, author of Refusing to Become A Man.
“No playwright has created as amazing a pantheon of historical lesbian characters as Carolyn Gage. Her book, Monologues and Scenes for Lesbian Actors, provides a sumptuous feast of possibilities for both seasoned and budding lesbian performers to use portraying a full range of emotion and political perspectives. Carolyn Gage is a national lesbian treasure.”—Rosemary Keefe Curb, editor of Amazon All Stars : 13 Lesbian Plays.
“Mahalo nui for your play. It is splendid, clever, and sets the characters in an imaginary world that is,nevertheless, quite believable. The mark of superb craftsmanship…! Ku’e, ku’e,ku’e! [Resist, resist, resist!]”— Haunani-Kay Trask, leader of the Hawai’ian Sovereignty Movement.
“I was more deeply moved and ‘sinspired’ by Carolyn Gage’s new book [Like There’s No Tomorrow] than by anything else I’ve read in years… It is a work of burning, uncompromising vision and daring… a beacon of hope in these chilling times of compromise, timidity and apparent defeat. This book is Pure Fire. It is true and therefore extreme… a stunning manifestation of Radical Lesbian Feminist Courage and Genius.”— Mary Daly, Radical Feminist Elemental Philosopher and Author of Gyn/Ecology, Pure Lust, and The Wickedary.
“Carolyn Gage's visit was transformative for my department. Students were able to have close contact with a world-class artist. In a brief Q&A, Carolyn firmly and respectfully challenged their assumptions about the boundaries of art, education, and culture. She responded with enthusiasm and generosity to their staged reading of one of her short works, which gave them a strong sense of connection with this renowned artist. And we all experienced her extraordinarily moving and enlightening Joan of Arc in our own small theatre, sharing a truly powerful, and for some students life-changing, evening of performance.”--Dr. Ellen Margolis, Chair of Theatre & Dance, Pacific University, Forest Grove, OR.
“Carolyn Gage’s writing, acting, and teaching are explosive. She rips away the cultural camouflage that permits us to accept, to be blind to, the brutal context in which women are still required to live their lives. When my students remember this semester it will be because of her visit. She’s a treasure.”— Prof. George Wolf, Dept. of English, University of Nebraska, Lincoln.
“… Carolyn Gage is one of the best lesbian playwrights in America…”--Lambda Book Report, Los Angeles.
"... one of the best blogs for feminist thought... Carolyn Gage is a brave, fearless voice for women in an often dark and anti-woman world."--Sacramento Examiner.
“Many feminists are brilliant, but how many are wise? Playwright Carolyn Gage is a radical lesbian feminist who is wise, as this book [Like There’s No Tomorrow]demonstrates. I read the book recently and realized that I had made a great mistake not reading and reviewing it when it came out, probably because I was biased against the word "meditations." So often radical feminist books are depressing; I admire them but wish for some inspiration. This book is uncompromising and tough-minded, yet inspiring.”— Carol Anne Douglas, off our backs, Washington, DC.
“We were so delighted with Carolyn’s powerful drama and her personable style of teaching that Carefree [retirement community] women asked her to return and be our first Artist-in-Residence . . . Participating in the readings and listening to the performances were powerful experiences for the women of our community. Carolyn’s dramatic works, her teaching methods, and her passionate belief in women inspired many of us to look at our lives and come to see ourselves as heroines and Amazons. Her ability to clothe her meticulous research and knowledge of women’s and especially lesbian history in enthralling dramas helped many of us to realize our rich lesbian/feminist heritage… she’s personable, down-to-earth, and fun to be with. Her time with us was intense, fascinating, and a lot of fun. Who could ask for more?” —Dana G. Finnegan, PhD., Leader of Writers’ Workshop at Clubhouse for Resort on Carefree Boulevard, Ft. Myers.
“Ms. Gage’s visit to Washington College was inspiring. Her passion for what she does is so obvious and her intellect so impressive that students and faculty alike were immediately and permanently engaged by her presentation and presence. Washington College is, in part, known for it’s writing program. We have regular visits by well known writers ‑‑everyone from Edward Albee and Israel Horovitz to Toni Morrison and John Barth in recent years. I can honestly say I have never seen students so enthusiastic about a guest. Another thing that is unusual and impressive is that she has kept in touch with several of our students since her visit. One of the things I was most impressed with was the clarity of her aesthetics and politics. This is a person who does not apologize for her agenda or the militancy necessary to further that agenda. The amazing thing is she combines that unswerving commitment with compassion, understanding, warmth, and generosity. She is totally committed to her art in a way that is truly inspiring. Don’t let the lesbian/feminist moniker scare you, this is a formidable artist in every way.”— Dale Daigle, PhD., Theatre Department Chair, Washington College, Chesterton, MD.
“Recalling The Second Coming of Joan of Arc leaves me practically speechless, but boiling over on the inside with sadness and a hunger to “right all the wrongs” of the world. Never before have I attended an event at my University that evoked tears and heartache and feelings of invincibility and empowerment simultaneously. In Dorothy Allison’s book Skin, she encourages women to speak and write ourselves raw, until we are vulnerable and we produce captivating and personal art that evokes tears, laughter, and rage from the audience. Carolyn Gage epitomizes Allison’s vision. Her brilliant performance touches everyone deeply by providing an educational, cathartic, heartbreaking, and empowering experience. She speaks the unspeakable truths about women’s oppression that most of us are afraid to say… ”— Kristina Armenakis, Women’s Resource Center, University of Oregon, Eugene, OR.
“Carolyn Gage is a living manifestation of the power of articulate anger. Her play is raw, uncompromising, in your face, and her politics are no different. In the flesh, however, her passion, humour and quicksilver insight shine through her rage against the patriarchal machine. An inspired spokeswoman for revolutionary radical feminism, I love to think of Carolyn out there now, urging women all over the world to access that submerged anger that, once released, will enable them to find hope, pleasure, selfhood.” — Women’s News, Belfast, Northern Ireland
“While it was probably the novelty of having a lesbian feminist in Hattiesburg, Mississippi that brought the people out, it was Carolyn’s intelligence, wit and charisma that motivated us to participate. Her complex mixture of righteous anger and compassion and her insight into the human psyche inspired those of us who live with the daily oppression of southern patriarchal culture to open our minds and hearts and speak our truths. When we left the theater that night, we had all been touched by Carolyn’s powerful politics.”-- Dr. Kate Greene, University of Southern Mississippi.
"Gage has been on the frontlines of lesbian feminism for over two decades and at the center of her work has been her commitment to centering the lives and struggles of lesbians from diverse backgrounds and experiences. This is more than encouraging; it is life-saving."--Rain and Thunder, Northampton, MA.
“… Superb acting… Enjoyable first‑rate theater performance, and a rich source for thoughtful analysis and evaluation of the representation of heroines by the patriarchal control institutions… ”-- Hilda Hidalgo, PhD.,Professor Emerita, Rutgers University.
“… powerful and moving, to the point of angry, as well as sorrowful tears… Your truthful and emotional performance should be mandatory for all students—especially women, who need to make decisions and choices in their lives often based on the same issues that Jeanne confronted in her own pilgrimage.”— Karla Alwes, PhD., Professor of English, State University of New York, Cortland.
“Calamity Jane Delivers A Message to Her Daughter was one of the best acting performances of this [Dublin International Gay Theatre] Festival. Carolyn Gage was mesmeric as the aging infamous female cowboy recalling happier times. Both writing and performance were of the highest standards and it was a riveting piece of comic theatre...you could almost smell the booze!”—Gordon Farrell, Queer ID, Dublin, Ireland.
“Ever since I first saw Carolyn Gage perform her work, I have been convinced that she is one of our greatest living artists… the value of Gage’s plays goes far beyond their ability to hold and entertain audiences. I know of no living playwright who is grappling with issues as controversial and as central to the survival of our people as Carolyn Gage. Possibly the most potentially transformative work of our time is the work on trauma conducted by psychologists and academics as well as within feminist and recovery movements. By joining her intellectual and political engagements with these movements to her considerable skills as a dramatist, Gage creates plays that bring the “magic” back to theatre. I have seen many of her plays performed—among them, The Second Coming of Joan of Arc, Sappho in Love, Harriet Tubman Visits A Therapist, and Artemisia and Hildegarde. The impact of these performances on audiences is profound and life-changing. I can also attest to Carolyn Gage’s rapport with university students and faculty… I sponsored a lecture and performance by Carolyn Gage on our campus. These events were well-attended and enthusiastically received by the faculty, students, and community members who attended. Carolyn Gage was on my campus for four days and throughout that time she was most generous in making herself accessible to students. In the discussions with her audience and during small group meetings with students, Carolyn was lively, provocative, brilliant.”— Dr. Morgne Cramer, Dept. of English, University of Connecticut, Stamford.
“It was an excellent performance… I also wanted you to know that your performance drew one of the largest audiences for a Women’s Studies sponsored event. Many of us have continued to talk about your performance for long after your departure from Gettysburg. We especially enjoyed your warmth and your sense of humor.”―Joyce Sprague, Women’s Studies, Gettysburg College, Gettysburg, PA.
“I am constantly amazed at Carolyn’s ability to make complex social issues not only accessible but also irresistibly fascinating. “—R.J. McComish, Literary Manager of the Portland Stage Company, Portland, Maine.
“Although she has worked in other literary genres, Carolyn’s genius is best appreciated in her theatrical work as an author, performer, and director. Whatever the subject, her work focuses on the lives of women, situates them in their historical context, and illuminates their thoughts and actions from a feminist and, yes, lesbian perspective. And although one might assume that her radical perspective would ensure permanent obscurity for Carolyn’s work, this has not been the case. Her plays continue to receive national and international attention. Carolyn will bring… not only her incredibly prolific theatrical repertoire but also the richness of her intellect and astute political comprehension of women’s lives and the necessity of our struggle—of all people’s struggles—against the colonization of our minds and bodies. She has a great gift and the ability to synthesize the truths of women’s lives and to tell them without shrinking from their pain and complexity.”— Julia Penelope, co-editor of The Original Coming Out Stories, For Lesbians Only, and Lesbian Culture: An Anthology.
“[Carolyn Gage’s] workshop, sponsored by the Alliance for Sexual Diversity, was both theatrical and theoretical. Her use of classical female archetypes to describe ongoing issues facing women was especially clear and powerful… She was entertaining and empowering to many young women on our campus who, a month later, are still talking about her.”—Naomi Paisley, Information and Referral Counselor, Women’s Center, University of Southern Maine.
“… a tremendous experience for the students. Ms. Gage made such a positive impact on the students that her ‘voice’ can still be heard echoing in the voices of the students who were fortunate enough to have spent time with her.”—Carolyn Lewis, Professor of Theatre, Cedar Crest College, Allentown, PA.
“We invited Carolyn Gage to perform her play, The Second Coming of Joan of Arc here at UVA --she was amazing. She really challenges women and men to rethink a whole range of issues, from popular historical accounts of Joan’s story to how rape figures into the oppression of women—and lesbians, specifically—throughout history. She is a completely lovely person and easy to work with.”— Claire N. Kaplan, Coordinator, Sexual Assault Education,
University of Virginia.
“… The undisputed queen of startling one-acts.”—Victoria K. Brownworth, Pulitzer Prize nominee, author of Too Queer.
“Gage’s particular brilliance lies in her skill at juxtaposing lesbian reality with our collective herstoric imagination as a people… Lesbian writers, theorists, and professors—in large numbers at ECLF [East Coast Lesbian Festival]—were absolutely transported by the academic significance of Gage’s work.”—Bonnie Morris, Senior Associate at the Center for Women and Policy Studies and 5-year staff member Michigan Womyn’s Music Festival.
“Gage's The Second Coming of Joan of Arc really is that—an entirely fresh look at Joan. Who knew she had a lesbian lover, and her cross dressing is what really got her in trouble?! Gage presents her as a queer role model and hero for all ages—a fantastic and surprising believable re-visioning of lesbian history.”—Marie Cartier, performance artist and author, Baby, You Are My Religion, and founder Dandelion Warrior Movement.
“I’ve long been intrigued and entertained by the originality of Carolyn Gage’s work. Simply no one is writing about these subjects with such insight and humor.” --Mariah Burton Nelson, author, We Are All Athletes, international women’s sports authority.
“Rarely in my life have I left a play, or any work of art, feeling like my life was truly better for it… The plays were hilarious, harrowing, exhilarating, and affirming.”--The Spectrum, Buffalo, NY.
“Taking in a Gage play is like getting a combined dose of Karl Marx, Betty Friedan and triple espresso. She broadcasts insight on power and powerlessness with energetic zip, laying good groundwork for directors and actors who would attempt production of them.”--WNYQ News, Buffalo, NY.
“… strong-minded, bighearted storytelling… ”-- Chicago Review, Chicago.
“Carolyn's talk “A Theatrical Journey Through Maine's Lesbian History” was a great addition to our University of New England Diversity Lecture Series with the theme Faces & Voices, focusing on little known or forgotten stories from individuals in under-represented populations. Carolyn's storytelling, depicting the private lives of some of Maine's most famous lesbian women—Sarah Orne Jewett, May Sarton, Rachel Carson, Edna St. Vincent Millay—interspersed with excerpts and scenes from her new play Greetings from Lesbos Maine offered a compelling presentation. How sad such a huge component of these women's lives is omitted or glossed over in our history and recollection of their lives. Thank you, Carolyn, for bringing these women to life through your storytelling and theatrical monologues."—Donna Gaspar Jarvis, Director, University of New England Office of Multicultural Affairs & Diversity Programs
"Gage is regularly hailed as one of the best lesbian playwrights in America, but I want to say—if she will allow this and I understand and accept if she won’t—simply one of our best playwrights."--Sharon Doubiago, My Father’s Love, Portrait of the Poet as a Young Girl; Love on the Streets, Selected and New Poems.
