Bella is a white transgender woman who loves the skin she is in but wants to make a full transition into being a woman. Her best friend Steph is an African American woman who is working hard to make her voice heard in the #BlackLivesMatter movement. It is this that brings these two women together for a protest that turns literally topsy turvy and inside out. In the midst of a gas bomb being thrown the two women find that when the gas clears they have switched bodies. They engage in conversations about the struggle that both women are living in hoping to gain insight and understanding, true understanding for “wearing the other’s shoes.” In the climax both women find themselves running for their lives from a group of racists and a group of people who don’t like nor understand transgender people. The women realize that both lives they are living are difficult ones but with understanding and an open heart it is possible to support someone who is not like you but is going through life challenges that are difficult and life alternating. This story challenges the audience to realize that all lives matter, all lives have a purpose and as long as we the people understand that all of our opinions matter, it is just a matter of being able to have respect when the opinions of others are not our own. In the end they find themselves again, they love one another again and they become more tolerance of the other because of The Switch. A story of societal norms and acceptance.
Duo/ Duet- The Switch
$60.00Price
- (We see a split screen of two young ladies preparing for their day. Bella- a white transgender woman puts on make up, heels and a wig as she prepares. Steph an African American woman totes a t-shirt and jeans and grabs a protest poster. Both women are living in the same world, but definitely living it differently.) Bella: (Waving to get Steph’s attention.) Steph, hey I’m here. Steph: (Looking her up and down.) What the hell are you wearing? Bella: My Sunday best, heels, Sunday hair and a summer dress. Steph: You did get the memo that this was a protest right? Bella: But you said we’d get dinner after. Steph: After we protest we will get dinner and the most important part of that sentence that you heard was “dinner.” Bella: So I have to wear a “Please stop killing black people” shirt, tattered jeans and gym shoes to protest? Steph: I’m not saying that but if something goes down and we have to run or they throw gas like last time, I just don’t get why you’d come out like that. Bella: Because this is a part of my protest. I’m transgender and that aspect of my life matters too. Steph: Sure B- Bella: Bella. Steph: Sure. (Steph hands her a sign they fall into a protest circle.) Bella/ Steph: Black lives matter. Black lives matter. (Bella stops.) Steph: What’s wrong? Feet hurting already? Bella: Do you think I should be here? (Steph drops her sign and grabs Bella moving away from the group of protestors.) Steph: (Beat) I think there is a time and place for all fights. Bella: This ain’t the time or the place for mine? Steph: But it is for mine. Bella: We are all fighting for the same things. Steph: You don’t get it; I didn’t choose to be black but you technically aren’t- Bella: -a real woman? (aside) Shit I feel like Pinocchio. Steph: You just don’t know what it’s like to be a black woman. Bella: But I knew what it was like to be a man!