In this hilarious, raucous, all-female "power-play" inspired by Shakespeare's The Taming of the Shrew, contestant Katherine has political aspirations to match her beauty pageant ambitions. All she needs to revolutionize the American government is the help of one ultra-conservative senator's aide on the cusp of a career breakthrough, and one bleeding-heart liberal blogger who will do anything for her cause. Well, that and a semi-historically accurate ether trip.

CoHo Productions with Mariel Sierra,

Lauren Bloom Hanover, McKenna Twedt and Katie Watkins are proud to present

Lauren Gunderson's 

The Taming 

October 27th - November 19th 2018

at CoHo Productions

Here's lookin' at you, America

A letter from our director -

On January 20, 2017, McKenna Twedt, Lauren Bloom Hanover, Katie Watkins, and Lissie Huff took the stage, joining over 40 readings nationwide in an attempt to lift up the very voices in
jeopardy of being silenced as a result of the election. Our reading also raised a modest donation for Planned Parenthood.

What ultimately resonated with everyone in that room was hope. The passion, ambition, frustration, anger, and smarts of the women on stage were both felt and celebrated by the
audience as they followed Katherine, Bianca, and Patricia from being bitterly divided to arriving at some kind of compromise - and unity! That incredible night led us to where we are today.

In the last year and a half, there have been moments that feel like, for the first time in a long time, true change is coming. Our country is being shaken awake in the same way that our Founding Fathers, as well as Katherine, Bianca, and Patricia would want us to. Now more than ever, The Taming feels like the perfect play to make us laugh, create dialogue, and give us hope for Dear Future America.

And she 'Preciates y'all.

Sincerely,
Mariel Sierra, director

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So here is where y'all come in!  We need your help in funding some final, crucial aspects of our production.  As you may know, it takes a village to create a theatrical production from the ground up so we may facilitate a brief but important shared experience.  Please consider a small, one time donation in contribution of this fantastic play.

Your Contribution Will Directly Support

• Costume materials including wigs and makeup
• Scenic and Properties materials
• Lighting materials
• Sound materials
• Comparable personel and technician compensation 

         And........ drum roll, please.......

• Playwright Lauren Gunderson's Visit to Portland!

That's right, folks!  The Incomparable Ms. Gunderson will be joining The Taming crew to present a special talk back event during the run of the production.  Additionally, Lauren will be speaking about her role as a playwright in a forum event during her stay in Portland!

We are focused on small, reasonable donations of $10, $20 or $50 to fund our production.

Your Impact

Your support of our project will directly contribute to creating a cultural community where:

• Female artists are valued in helping to ensure an obtainable forum of unrestricted expression
• Local artisans, designers and technicians are artistically encouraged and fiscally supported
• A space of accessibility for young women and artists of color that is not an afterthought
• New voices and faces participating in world governmental structures are celebrated

A letter from our playwright -

I am so thrilled and honored that The Taming is coming to Portland. For such an incredible town full of art and activism, this play will complement all that Portland is. It’s the perfect time for the play - right before the election. I hope that people see this production and that it inspires them to take immediate action at the ballot box!

The truth is this play is not partisan. It is about bringing together different perspectives around a few central tenants: that what should make this country great is our collaboration and appreciation for the differences that make us unique, diverse and strong hearted. We actually need each other to make America its greatest, and it’s greatest self is empathetic, creative, and always looking to be kinder and more helpful to everyone.

Plus, I’m so thrilled to see Lauren Hanover in this role! It’s been a personal dream to see her play this part, since she was in my living room reading the very first draft of this play. I’m so honored that she is performing it!

This project started with The Taming readings staged around the country on Inauguration Day, all to protest intolerance and sexism; to have a full production come out of that experience and those
readings is incredible to me.

I can’t wait to be inspired by this group of fantastic women.
-Lauren Gunderson, playwright