Sara Juli’s Naughty Bits
Created and Performed by Sara Juli
Projection Design and Illustration by Devon Kelley-Yurdin
Production and Stage Management by Justin Moriarty
Production Dramaturgy by Michelle Mola
Lighting Design by Rob Lariviere
Costume Design by Carol Farrell
Diary Photographs by Winky Lewis
Original Lighting by Justin Moriarty
Administrative Assistance by Delaney McDonough
Songs by Michael Sambello, George Michael, Eddie Money, Tears for Fears, Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers, The Human League, Peter Gabriel, Rudy Clark/George Harrison, Elton John, Aha, and Phil Collins.
Please note: This piece explores one person's experience around trauma.
A strobe light is used in tonight’s performance.
Sara Juli’s Naughty Bits was originally commissioned by the Strand Theatre in Rockland, ME, through their New Century Series Program. Additional support came from the Maine Arts Commission and the American Rescue Plan Maine Project Grants, a subgranting program administered by SPACE Gallery for the National Endowment for the Arts. Residency support was also provided in part by New England Foundation for the Arts’ New England Dance Fund, with generous support from the Aliad Fund at the Boston Foundation.
Naughty Bits has been necessary to continue my reconciliation of two sexually traumatic events I experienced as a child and young woman that, in many ways, have shaped who I am today. To develop this performance, I’ve reframed my stories while exploring the following concepts: “What if these experiences actually shaped me in a new, yet undiscovered way?” “Can trauma ever be resolved?” and lastly, “My trauma informs me, but does not define me.” The audience as both witness and co-collaborators in your own trauma is crucial to this exploration. Thank you for being here and for making space for yourself while watching. Feel free to move about the aisles, stretch, laugh, feel uncomfortable, answer my questions out loud, and generally take care of yourself. Please know your presence gives me strength.
Naughty Bits has been a true collaboration with supremely talented artistic collaborators: Justin, Michelle, Devon, and Carol. Thank you for hearing me, challenging me, and helping me articulate these experiences so beautifully. Naughty Bits was made in deep connection with each of you.
Thank you to Dixon Place and American Dance Festival for your career-long support of my work. Thank you Jodee and Ellie plus your wonderful teams especially: Rob, Mike, Katrin, Diana, and Christina. Special shout-outs to Sorcha Cribben-Merrill and Annica Lydenberg who were early contributors to the piece. Additional thanks to Delaney McDonough, Winky Lewis, Lindsey Jennings, Kate Marchesault, Aaron Pikcilingis & Laura Burnes, Carol Dilley, and Martha Sherman. And to my wonderful husband Chris, Hanna, Leah, and Brooklyn, thank you for your unwavering love, laughter, and support.
3S Artspace, Portsmouth, NH
February 9, 2024
Dixon Place, NYC
March 14-16, 2024
Next Stage Arts, Putney, VT
April 26-27, 2024
The Hill Arts, Portland, ME
May 9-10, 2024
www.sarajuli.com for ticket links and more info
National Sexual Assault Helpline
1-800-656-4673
New York State Domestic & Sexual Violence Hotline for confidential assistance
1-800-942-6906
New York City Alliance Against Sexual Assault
www.svfreenyc.org
Safe Horizon
www.safehorizon.org
1-800-621-HOPE
New York State Coalition against Sexual Assault
www.nyscasa.org
518-482-4222
The Soho Center for Mental Health Counseling
Sexual Abuse Specialists
www.thesohocenter.com
About Dixon Place
A bastion for visionary artists since 1986, Dixon Place (DP) is a nonprofit institution dedicated to the development and presentation of original works of theatre, dance, puppetry, literature, and hybrid performance. In a professional, compassionate environment, artists are inspired and encouraged to take risks, generate and execute new ideas, and further their careers. Committed to advancing social justice, DP’s programs, policies, and curatorial practices ensure inclusivity regarding gender, race, sexuality, age, disabilities, and ethnicity. Foremost priorities are to serve as a safe haven for artists and provide meaningful, culturally enriching experiences for audiences. DP is one of the City’s only non-profit organizations to own and operate a full cocktail bar, where proceeds support their mission and programs. Open before and after shows, the cozy, welcoming lounge supports cultural and community interaction.
About ADF
Throughout its 91-year history, the American Dance Festival has been the home of an art form, attracting artists, audiences, and thousands of students worldwide. By preserving our modern dance heritage, promoting the creation of new works and collaborations, educating generations of dancers through intensive training programs, supporting artists at all stages of their careers, presenting live and screen dance to the public, and developing humanities and international exchange programs, ADF has served as a laboratory for experimentation and innovation. ADF was founded at the Bennington School of Dance and moved to Connecticut College in 1948. For the past 47 years, ADF has taken pride in calling Duke University and Durham home. Since 2012, ADF has managed its first year-round facilities, the Samuel H. Scripps Studios, offering movement classes for students of all ages and abilities, as well as choreographic residencies and outreach programs throughout the community.