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Program Guide
March 16, 2023 - April 16, 2023

The Inferior Sex

By Jacqueline E. Lawton
Directed by Tatyana-Marie Carlo
March 16 - April 16, 2023

PLEASE NOTE: THIS SHOW’S RUN HAS ENDED.

A smart, funny look inside a quest for change 

It’s the summer of 1972. The battle to ratify the Equal Rights Amendment is ramping up across the nation. Congresswoman Shirley Chisholm is campaigning for president. And in midtown Manhattan, a group of women have created a magazine “for feminists who love fashion.” As the war in Vietnam intensifies, and the Watergate scandal erupts, the charged political and social climate challenges friendships and the future of the magazine itself. Poignant and hilarious, The Inferior Sex looks at finding your politics, your community, and your voice in an ever-changing world. 

Buzz
"While I had been expecting to leave feeling empowered (check) and even pensive (check), I was also pleasantly surprised to end the night with sore ab muscles from laughing!"
Kaitlyn Murray, Rhode Island Monthly (click for full review)
"Make sure to see "The Inferior Sex" so you, too, can laugh out loud, enjoy some excellent theater and stellar acting, be reminded of our "she-ro," Shirley Chisholm, and maybe even leave the theater feeling empowered to help return some power to the people."
Nancy Burns-Fusaro, The Westerly Sun (click for full review)
"A witty, fun show with a powerful message."
Kimberly Rau, WPRO (click for full review)
“The Inferior Sex” makes serious points about racism, sexism and navigating an ever-changing world, but it’s also seriously funny."
Kathie Raleigh, The Independent
"All the performances are fantastic. Just a fun time overall."
Luis Hernandez, The Public's Radio (click for full review)
"An important history lesson, as well as a profound, highly entertaining portrait of friendship and perseverance."
Christopher Verleger, BroadwayWorld (click to read full review)
Is it 1972 or 2023? 'The Inferior Sex' at Trinity Rep tackles timeless gender politics"
Susan McDonald, The Providence Journal (click to read full feature)
"Wakefield resident helps give Trinity Rep’s latest a distinct ’70s vibe"
Kathie Raleigh, The Independent (click for full feature)
2023 Mar
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2023 Sep
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Gallery

Jackie Davis as Shirley Chisholm. Photo by Mark Turek.
Geri-Nikole Love as Gwen and Angelique M. C-Dina as Connie. Photo by Mark Turek.
Anne Scurria as Vera, Shura Baryshnikov as Alice, and Rachael Warren as Joan. Photo by Mark Turek.
The cast of The Inferior Sex. Photo by Mark Turek
Madeleine Barker as Penny, Angelique M. C-Dina as Connie, and Shura Baryshnikov as Alice. Photo by Mark Turek.
The cast of The Inferior Sex. Photo by Mark Turek.
Rachel Dulude as Sandra and Angelique M. C-Dina as Connie. Photo by Mark Turek.
Madeleine Barker as Penny. Photo by Mark Turek.
Anne Scurria as Vera and Madeleine Russell as Madeleine. Photo by Mark Turek.
Rachel Dulude as Sandra, Rachael Warren as Joan, Madeleine Russell as Madeleine, and Madeleine Barker as Penny. Photo by Mark Turek.
The Inferior Sex cast and crew at first rehearsal. Photo by Marisa Lenardson.
An in-progress build of one of Shirley Chisholm's dresses. Photo by Marisa Lenardson.
A wig based on Shirley Chisholm's hair. Photo by Marisa Lenardson.
Fabric to be used to recreate one of Shirley Chisholm's dresses. Photo by Marisa Lenardson.
Costume Shop Director Amanda Downing Carney with vintage clothing to be used in the show. Photo by Marisa Lenardson.
Hair and Wig Artisan Tiffany Zellner creates a wig for the show. Photo by Marisa Lenardson.
Concept art for The Inferior Sex set by Sara Brown.
Assistant director Alexis Elisa Macedo, director Tatyana-Marie Carlo, and stage manager Anaïs Bustos. Photo by Marisa Lenardson.
Actors Rachael Warren, Jackie Davis, and Nicole Lewis. Photo by Marisa Lenardson.
Playwright Jacqueline E. Lawton zooms in for table read. Photo by Marisa Lenardson.

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Related Events

 

 

Community Partners

The Vanta Guild was founded in the spring of 2020 by Jonathan Pitts-Wiley and Dee Speaks. Based in Rhode Island, The Vanta Guild is a Black photography collective that seeks to celebrate and exhibit the work of photographers of African descent.

IG: @thevantaguild

Cast & Creative

Cast
Madeleine Barker '22
Penny
Shura Baryshnikov
Alice
Angelique M. C-Dina
Connie
Jackie Davis
Shirley Chisholm
Rachel Dulude
Sandra
Geri-Nikole Love
Gwen
Madeleine Russell '23
Madeleine
Anne Scurria
Vera
Rachael Warren
Joan

Additional Cast

Nina Giselle
Understudy for Connie/Gwen
Daraja Hinds
Understudy for Shirley Chisholm
Charlotte Kinder
Understudy for Penny/Alice/Vera
Kelly Robertson
Understudy for Sandra/Madeleine/Joan

Creative

Jacqueline E. Lawton
Playwright
Tatyana-Marie Carlo
Director
Alexis Elisa Macedo
Assistant Director
Shura Baryshnikov
Movement Director
Sara Brown
Set Designer
Matthew Imhoff
Associate Set Designer
Daniel Landez
Assistant Set Designer
Amanda Downing Carney
Costume Designer
Lexi Asare
Assistant Costume Designer
Erica Lauren Maholmes
Lighting Designer
Stefanie M. Senior
Sound Designer
Stefania Bulbarella
Projection Designer
Alessandra Cronin
Associate Projection Designer/Programmer
Jules Odendahl-James
Dramaturg
Kannetha Brown
Vanta Guild Photographer
Melaine Ferdinand-King
Vanta Guild Photographer
Justine Johnson Kenahan
Vanta Guild Photographer
Caterina Maina
Vanta Guild Photographer
Kincaid McLaren
Vanta Guild Photographer
Marlisse Payamps
Vanta Guild Photographer
Leiyana Simone Pereira
Vanta Guild Photographer
Jonathan Pitts-Wiley
Vanta Guild Photographer
Anaïs Bustos
Stage Manager
Olivia Tellier
Production Assistant
Erin Sylvia
COVID Safety Manager

Sponsors

This production is sponsored by Washington Trust