By Katheryn Sherrill  |  
Directed by Shanea N. Taylor

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Girl is trying to decide on something to eat, which is no easy endeavor as there is an array of obstacles that hinder her. The most forefront being the pain she suffers, after eating. It is this pain that Girl uses as one of her many defenses against her doctors’ diagnosis of anorexia. Girl wholeheartedly believes they have wrongfully lumped her in with the stereotypical teenage anorexic. Thus the claim she had no idea she was starving herself is not delusional but a fact. One which neither the doctor nor her family and friends have the evidence to refute; since they are not privileged to the inner workings of what goes on in Girl’s mind. However, the human manifestation of all her hidden thoughts and suppressed feelings, The Voice, does. The Voice knows what is the truth and will use whatever means necessary to get Girl not only to admit the truth but, to accept fault. The Voice successfully sparks doubt within Girl, but only for a moment. It is quickly snuffed out when The Voice begins questioning the validity of both the physical torture and mental anguish Girl endures from eating. The Voice continues to antagonize her delivering one merciless blow after next till finally, Girl is able to take no more. Impassioned, she proclaims what has never been uttered aloud– “If I do have anorexia then I did this to myself!” The Voice recognizes that Girl’s fight is fading and unleashes its final attacks, ensuring only the truth will remain. The Voice accomplishes this stripping away the last few remaining layers of defense Girl has. Exposed and emotionally raw, Girl stops denying what is unmistakably true now she must only find the strength within her to accept it.

ABOUT THE PLAYWRIGHT  |  Katheryn Sherrill is a first-time playwright and participant with New Voices for the Theatre. She’s a rising senior at Maury High School and a performance track student in the Theatre and Film department of The Governor’s School for the Arts. She would not have a story to tell without God.

ABOUT THE DIRECTOR   |  Shanea N. Taylor received an MFA in Theatre Pedagogy with a concentration in directing from Virginia Commonwealth University and has directed, taught, and performed for community, collegiate, and professional theatres in Richmond, VA, and District of Columbia. Currently, she teaches Communications, Public Speaking, and Theatre at John Tyler Community College and is passionate about encouraging, developing, and freeing voices. Recent directing credits include: Dark of the Moon and She Kills Monsters (JTCC), Dream Seller and the Forest Dwellers and The Amen Corner (T.H.E. Theatre Company), New Voices with SPARC, directing/leading Bardathon and the Festival Young Company (Quill Theatre), and co-producing and directing Ma Michele’s Murder Mystery Masquerade where Soul Food and Mystery meet. Shanea enjoys the opportunity to create artistic and social conversation through taking a journey in someone else’s shoes. We all must tell our stories and speak our truth!

 Cast & Crew

Eden Johnson (Stage Manager) is a rising senior in Midlothian High School’s International Baccalaureate program and she’s thrilled to be participating in her third New Voices festival! When she’s not involved in theatre, she can be found trying new recipes, crying over pictures of hedgehogs, or watching West Side Story for the millionth time.