Tangoing with Tornadoes

Testimonials

"Tangoing with Tornadoes is the most stylistic and memorable piece of theatre on the subject of domestic violence I have ever witnessed. I can’t image an audience member who hasn’t hummed a rhythm or recited a line since viewing this powerful piece of theatre."

Annette Klinefelter, former Executive Director

Girls Inc. of NW Oregon, Portland

"It was my great pleasure yesterday to catch the closing performance of Tangoing with Tornadoes. What an achievement. The play was funny and moving and powerful. And you’re quite an actor! In addition to being a natural storyteller, obviously. I could listen to you all day. You were blessed with wonderful music, too, and I especially noted the excellent movement. I had a great time, and clearly so did the rest of the audience – I sat in the balcony so I could l watch everybody, and it was gratifying to see how absorbed people were by the women’s stories."

Mead Hunter, former Education Director

Portland Center Stage, Portland

"Thank you for writing and presenting Tangoing with Tornadoes. I especially loved the written program you put together. It had such practical and relevant info in it. When I read through it after the show, I began to think about my past and current relationships in a new way. I lived with domestic violence as a child and have spent the last two decades--my entire adult life--trying to unlearn those patterns. ... It made me think about the abusive behavior I've put up with in relationships as well as the abusive behavior I've engaged in toward others, and it left me with the wise feeling that every relationship is an opportunity to love, instead of controlling or being controlled."

Susan - Portland, Oregon

"I was at your play on Friday night and let me just tell you it was so incredible. The passion from the very beginning was simply breathtaking ... I had a real passion for being an advocate w/ women who are experiencing domestic violence but, after seeing your play, my passion has increased by leaps and bounds. I just had to tell you how much you and the other two ladies that performed with you touched my heart and blessed my spirit."

Tamara - Gresham, OR

"What I liked so much about the play was that you took what we read about daily in the media and put a face on it. That is the thing about the arts that is so important. We can read all we want and listen to all the news stories about domestic violence and memorize the statistics. Until we put a face on it, we cannot truly empathize. Art has the capacity to bring out the raw truth about ourselves in ways that cannot be ignored."

Greg - Portland, OR

"Inspired by firsthand experience with domestic violence, Renee has created an arresting production that’s painful in one moment, almost knee-slapping in the next and always challenging our innermost thoughts."

Shareefah - Vancouver, Wash.

"I had the pleasure of seeing your show this weekend at SEI. I enjoyed it very much - the writing, the depth of the performances, the humor, the incredible vocals ... and even the response of the audience members around me (much louder and interactive than much of who I see theater with!)."

Jessica - Portland, OR

"Excellent job at the play. It was just fabulous. The dance, the music, the script. Wow."

Nikole - Portland, OR

The following are excerpts of letters received from a group of about 50 Madison High School students in Northeast Portland who came to see the performance.

"Right from the beginning, I was hooked. It was really cool seeing a guest speaker from our class perform on stage. It felt so real. I really enjoyed the humor she put into it. There's nothing funny about verbal and emotional abuse, but she pulled it off."

"Tangoing With Tornadoes left me speechless. I was shaken and simply amazed by the emotion displayed in this choreopoem. The characters connected so beautifully with the crowd, they made me feel what they feel ... (It) brought forward many emotions. One minute, I was on the verge of tears, the next, I couldn't stop laughing."

"I left the theater awestruck and emotionally drained. I have never experienced so many different emotions from watching a play. I loved it."

"I cannot express how thankful I was to finally receive some validation on my feelings. I too have been emotionally and verbally abused my whole life by my parents, especially my mother. And witnessing your honesty made me realize that it may not be OK, but I will survive."

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