"Women of color have been oppressed, eroticized and made to feel ashamed of our erotic power," says Veronica Combs. She's out to change that-and it's working.

Veronica Combs, founder and artistic director of Liquid Fire Productions recounted the story of a woman-a survivor of sexual abuse- who came to a Liquid Fire performance: "She had closed off a part of herself; closed herself off to feel any level of intimacy.  After seeing the show, she told me that 'a door opened' for her.  She began to paint and write poetry.  And she realized that it was okay for her to be an erotic human being." 

What began in 1997 as one performance, has turned into a distinct and electrifying piece of theatre exploration. Liquid Fire cast members participate in a five-week series of personal and poignant workshops, that include trust and vulnerability exercises, drumming rituals, anti-racism work, dance and movement, and writing exercises.  Their memories and personal stories are transformed into dramatic pieces which explore the subtle-and not so subtle!-role eroticism plays in shaping the lesbian experience.

Liquid Fire performances are accessible, raw, steamy.  And sometimes hilarious. Diverse in age, religion, race, and profession, the shows feature women of all shapes and sizes. A former cast featured an ASL teacher, a mom, hypno-therapist, high school teacher, tap dancer, director of a family recovery facility, and a lesbian with a degree in nuclear fusion.

Although Liquid Fire was initially created to focus on healing and empowering women of color lesbians, it has extended well beyond that. Combs and company are particularly proud of the fact that lesbian sexuality is resonating with straight women of color too. "They call after they've seen the show," Combs says,  "and they tell me: 'the pain, the joy, the struggle…I can so relate to that.'"

Astraea's grant of $5,000 is for Liquid Fire VI.

Liquid Fire Productions creates, develops, stages and produces interdisciplinary performance and film expressing the experiences of lesbians of color.

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