A surreal journey into perceptions…

Jeff Manson, Lia Sabbattini and Ariana Hooper.

By Shari Faye Dell (appearing in the West Marin Citizen September 29, 2011)

Revel in the writings of Aldous Huxley, his title inspires us to “Open the Doors of Perception.”

Writer and director Jerrund “Jerry” Bogeste presents “Inner Woman.”

“It’s a play about how perceptions change as we gain experience, wisdom and knowledge. And how perceptions can be locked into what I call the poisonous pedagogy,” says Jerry.

Stuck in routine and going through all the motions, leading lady Nuxa Diamo, played by Arian Hooper, is trying to find a mate. Employing new methods, she looks for her special someone through local dating services and online. She gets lucky when she meets a psychic tarot reader and later draws upon an unconscious response from the reading.

Soon after, a psychoanalyst lends intellectual affirmations. Will she overcome cultural and societal conditioning?

Only human

From the moment life begins, our neurological freeway begins stock piling tidbits of information–stored in the unconscious, a library full of associations. Unconsciously, future experiences reference the associations. “For example, you smell tobacco smoke. Unconsciously, it reminds you of your father which you equate with love,” says Jerry. A pleasant feeling washes over you. “But, at the same time, intellectually and psychologically you know that tobacco is not good for you. Still, the emotional response–comfort and love–is there.”

The evolution of self involves a process of discovering these associations and choosing what to do with them. You might choose to isolate the associations that affect you negatively. “Finding out who you really are is freedom. Understanding that personal freedom is not just doing what you want,” says Jerry. “Often we do things that don’t affect an edifying experience because we do things that are not good for ourselves.

“Knowing who you are is getting closer to the freedom; so at least, you know who you are not.”

Fruition

“Inner Woman” first conceived as a writing exercise last spring, evolved from a single character, Nuxa Diamo, the pisces personality that incorporates many idyllic female qualities, to a fully scripted three act play with eleven characters and original music by three songwriters. With the central theme set in his mind, Jerry set to the task of casting last May. In June he began work on the script, tailoring and crafting each role to individual members of the cast.

Process

Creativity begins when we are discontent. Creative discontent is where we begin to find freedom, the first recognition of who we are. Things are not going to be like we want them to be, we have to adapt. That is what survival is about if you look at Darwin, survival is about the fittest, not the strongest. The one who is able to adapt to the circumstances. Out in the big world everything is flash, we are looking at screens, and we are picking up all of this tacit information. How do we feel inside? Are you with your best friend, your mentor? Are you able to be alone and not feel bored: do you enjoy your own company? If you are able to enjoy who you are you can share that.

It is an inner feeling, not dependent on gender or how you look, or dress or what you think. It is the feeling that you need to come into contact with, that is the “Inner Woman in all of us. It is just a question of when she comes out.”

“Essence begins with knowing who we are,” says Jerry. “Well being is our only possession and sharing it is as high as we can get on this planet.”

“Inner Woman” opens Friday, September 30. Also showing Saturday, October 1 and Friday & Saturday October 7 & 8. Doors open at 7:30pm. Play commences at 8 p.m. The theater piece deals adult relationships and subject material. There is some role reversals and some gender bending. The play is not recommended for audience members under the age of18 years.

Cast:

Arianna Hooper, Howard Dillon, Lisa Lisa, Mimi Calpestri, Nate Siedman, Jerrund Bojeste, Lena Grozman, Mumba, Jeff Manson, Lia Sabbattini, and Victoria Hazlett. Music by Jeff Manson, Lena Grozman and Roger Crissinger.