July 31, 2006

Dancing Girl Performance To Benefit Girls Inc. of Metro Denver

Bonnie Trowbridge
btrowbridge@girlsincdenver.org
(303) 893-4363 x 102

Denver, CO - August 12th, 2006, is the opening performance of "Dancing Girl: An American Woman's Greek Village Odyssey," by monologue artist Thordis Simonsen. The proceeds of the opening night and reception will benefit Girls Inc. of Metro Denver. The performance will be held at the Denver Victorian Playhouse, beginning at 2pm with a reception to follow.

The audience will be transported to a village in southern Greece where the tenacious "American Girl" lived for two years. In little more than an hour, and with only a bell, a staff, and a stool at hand, Thordis transforms the stage into a farmer's plowed field, a goatherd's sacred mountain precinct, a roofless abandoned house that she bought and restored.

The difference between the villagers' expectations and her inclinations led Thordis to consider the meaning of womanhood. She proposes that womanhood is more than a culturally determined role. Womanhood is a freedom to be individually achieved.

Established in 1983, Girls Inc. of Metro Denver is an affiliate of Girls Incorporated, a national non-profit youth organization working to advance the rights of girls and women and to inspire all girls to be strong, smart, and bold TM. To date, our programs have touched the lives of more than 25,000 girls, particularly those from at-risk, underserved neighborhoods. We have prevention programs in teen pregnancy, substance abuse, and sexual abuse that give girls tools to avoid these risks and overcome peer pressure. We have educational enrichment programs that inspire girls to harness their innate curiosity and creativity and succeed in academics. We have leadership programs that prepare girls to be active participants in their communities. All of these programs create a safe place for girls and help them to confront gender stereotypes and cultural barriers, and prepare them to lead economically independent and successful lives. For more information, go to www.girlsincdenver.org.