ANDERSONVILLE — Violence against Indian-American women will take center stage this March in an Andersonville show.
"Bindis and Bruises" runs from March 4-12 at 1650 W. Foster Ave. It is a semi-autobiographical story that stems in part from Director Ellyzabeth Adler's own experiences facing dating violence while in college.
The show aims to spread the message that "no one should be ashamed or silenced" and victims should "use their experiences to empower and help others."
When choreographer and actress Priya Narayan "approached me two years ago with the concept for 'Bindis,' I knew that this was the right time to finally start talking publicly about my experience,” said Adler. “Since then, many other women have come forward to share their story.”
The tale centers around fictional Dr. Sita, a "survivor, activist and psychologist" who helps other women speak out about the gender-based violence they've faced.
Through Chicago Danzetheatre Ensemble's multidisciplinary performances, the cast uses different forms of media to present the stories of other survivors.
Those stories can be hard to tell, Adler said, and the very subject of gender violence "occurs regularly all over the world, but is rarely discussed."
Though the show has not yet began its run, the script has already changed thanks to at least one fan of the ensemble's work who heard of the project and the topics it was focusing on.
He sent a letter to the theater expressing a "thank you" for tackling such a difficult subject, including with it his own harrowing tale of being victimized while involved in a same-sex relationship.
Though the women realized "Dan's story" didn't quite fit into the umbrella of Indian-American women's issues, they decided to work it into the script anyway — moved by his bravery at sharing his story and also to emphasize that "abuse occurs among people of all races, ages, socio-economic classes, religious affiliations, occupations, and educational backgrounds."
A look at data from national women's advocacy groups reveal alarming statistics regarding the prevalence of dating and gender violence in the U.S.
One in every six women in America have either been the target of an attempted or completed rape, according to the Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network (RAINN). For women between the ages of 18-24, the chances of being a victim are three to four times as high, according to the network
About one in 33 men are raped, or are targeted for rape, in their lifetime — though college-age men 18-24 are 78 percent more likely to be the subject of sexual violence than non-college students, RAINN data shows.
The numbers suggest the problem might be worse for women of Asian descent. The Asian Pacific Institute on Gender-Based Violence, a national organization based in California, cited a 2011 study of 123 that found that 64 percent of Indian and Pakistani women in the U.S. had experienced sexual violence from an intimate partner, while 50 percent of Indian and Pakistani women reported being stalked by an intimate partner.
In 'Bindis and Bruises,' Adler and Narayan hope to break "down the stereotypes and shame that often silences victims," the theater said in a statement.
Tickets range between $10-20, but are free for high school and middle school students.
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