Dance Nation

I had this play recommended to me about a year ago from a professor I met at a college audition masterclass. It took me until now to get around to buying some of the ones he mentioned, and automatically, the plot of this one caught my eye! I’m leaving for college to pursue a B.F.A. in Theatre Arts in a month, so I wanted to double down on things to read and secure more monologues. I made sure to watch YouTube videos from rehearsals of the show while I waited for it, along with interviews from Clare Barron. While it uses a large handful of sexual language and imagery, it’s easy to understand that all of it is in correlation to young girls finding their sexuality but being sexualized by the adults around them simultaneously. The parallels, the writing— all of it speaks directly to people who grew up in the performance industry, craved to be the best and the pressure that comes along with being a young female. Monologues are all throughout the show and are great for college-age actors & older! A great plus was that my expected shipping date was July 6th, but it came in early on July 2nd. I couldn’t put it down after I got it this morning! Clare Barron is a playwriting genius. So thankful for this play!

I purchased this hoping to find new monologues for my students who are also dancers. It was a great read, but nothing I can use at school due to the language. Very sexual.

Clare Barron knows girls and women. This is a beautiful tribute and union of both. Told in an innovative and fascinating way. Should become a classic!

While I appreciate the dramatic value of this play, I think anyone considering directing a play about/for teens should know that this play is not appropriate for that purpose. I am not typically prude or conservative, but the sexually graphic language in this play turned me off.

Dark comedy! Loved it.

I haven't read this yet and will update review once I have. The single star is that the cover is not what was advertised (see image). I bought this for a student struggling with self image and gender who is also really into drama. I can't see myself giving her a book with a nude on the cover and keeping my job, as much as I think it's the right book for her from what I have researched and what she has told me. I'm so disappointed. A parent is absolutely going to have a problem with this being in my classroom library.

Fantastic characters, and great stories were shared. A must read for anyone and everyone ever and anyone else after that.

Great play, condition and speedy arrival.