“American Standard” at Highways in Santa Monica

Highways Performance Space presents American Standard: A Story of Enough, written by and starring Lilly Bright. Directed by award-winning soloist performer, Valerie Hager, American Standard will run from Thursday, September 19 through Saturday, September 28, 2019.

This original solo show is based on Bright’s true life story of surviving a near two-decade battle with bulimia and various “not-enough” demons, propelling her on an often comical, always poignant search for a cure, resulting in discovery of a path to imperfect wholeness and, ultimately, the courage to finally feel enough.

Highways Performance Space is located at the 18th Street Arts Center (1651 18th Street, Santa Monica, CA 90404). Tickets are $25 for general admission and $15 for students. For more information and tickets, please visit http://americanstandardshow.com.

With a run-time of 80 minutes, there will be seven American Standard shows to choose from between the 19th and 28th of September: three per weekend on Thursday, Friday and Saturday plus a Monday show on September 23. All shows but one are scheduled for 8:30pm. On the first Saturday (September 21) there will be a matinee at 2:00pm instead of an evening show. Recommended ages for audience members is 14+.

What initially starts out as a coping mechanism to a chaotic childhood, bulimia quickly becomes a full-blown addiction and the focal point of Bright’s life beginning in rural West Virginia. Relentless, determined, and bristling with grit, Bright searches endlessly for an end-all-be-all “cure,” from treatment centers to comical New Age practices to chance encounters with sage and colorful characters. Eventually, and under surprising circumstances, Bright triumphs in a city notorious for sun and superficiality. And finally, led by courage and heart, Lilly Bright discovers how the things she feared the most could in fact become the keys to her freedom. The freedom to finally be….enough.

Bright reflects, “This is the most personal work I’ve done to date. This is the work I will be most proud of no matter what happens because I’ve taken my biggest secret and made it public. If the show has a message it’s this: discover how your greatest fears can, in fact, be the keys to your freedom. I want to show people that it’s possible—when we truly face our fears we discover they actually set us free. It’s a paradox, and it’s true.”

American Standard at Highways in Santa Monica

Highways Performance Space

18th Street Arts Center

1651 18th Street, Santa Monica, CA 90404

310-453-1755

TICKETS:

$15 – $25.00

Purchase here.

Show runs from Thu. Sep. 19 – Sat. Sep. 28, 2019

NOTE; All shows but one are scheduled for 8:30pm. On the first Saturday (September 21) there will be a matinee at 2:00pm instead of an evening show.

Performance schedule:

• Thursday, September 19 @ 8:30pm
• Friday, September 20 @ 8:30pm
• Saturday, September 21 @ 2:00pm
• Monday, September 23 @ 8:30pm
• Friday, September 27 @ 8:30pm
• Saturday, September 28 @ 8:30pm

ABOUT:

Lilly Bright (Writer, Performer) – 

Lilly Bright is a writer, performer, and filmmaker living in Los Angeles since 2003. Her film career includes the production and distribution of award-winning features and documentaries under the banners of Curiously Bright Entertainment and Arthouse Films. Her play, American Standard: A Story of Enough, premiered in early 2018 in Santa Fe, New Mexico. In addition to teaching group classes in the Feldenkrais Method, Bright currently apprentices with Ohad Naharin, his movement language, Gaga, and the Batsheva Dance Company in Tel-Aviv and is writing a coming-of-age memoir about her upbringing in West Virginia.

Valerie Hager (Creative Director) –

Valerie Hager is an award-winning solo show writer-performer, actor, movement artist and former exotic dancer. She’s written six solo shows that have been produced across the US, UK and Europe, including Off-Broadway at 59E59, The Barrow Group and more. Naked In Alaska, her autobiographical solo play about her experience stripping in Alaska, has had over 75 performances including a 27-show run in the Edinburgh Fringe (Pick of the Fringe), the New York City Fringe (Best Solo Show Award), Chicago Fringe (Audience Favorite Award), Rome, Italy’s GendErotica Festival (Festival Headliner) an d the Last Frontier playwriting conference in Valdez, Alaska. In 2017, Naked In Alaska received its Los Angeles debut at Bootleg Theater. Hager also works one-on-one with women as a story and movement coach and director, helping them bring their own fierce voices and stories to the stage. She has directed numerous solo pieces and ensemble productions in New York City and Los Angeles. As a teaching artist, she has worked with nationally recognized arts organizations such as the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, Queens Theatre and Artworx LA to support underserved communities in telling their experiences.http://www.valeriehager.com

Highways (Co-producer, Venue) – 

Highways Performance Space celebrates its 30th year in 2019 as Southern California’s boldest center for new performance, promoting the development of contemporary, socially involved artists and art forms from diverse local, national and international communities. Artistic Director Patrick Kennelly with Executive Director Leo Garcia continue to affirm Highways’ mission of developing and presenting innovative performance. https://highwaysperformance.org

LINKS:

•American Standard– http://americanstandardshow.com

•American Standard Tickets – https://highwaysperformance.org/event/american-standard-show

• Lilly Bright Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/lillybright76

• Lilly Bright Twitter – https://twitter.com/lillybright76

• Highways – https://highwaysperformance.org

• Highways Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/highwaysps

• Highways Twitter – https://twitter.com/highwaysps