No Aids, No Maids:
Stories I Can’t F*CKIN’ Hear No More

 Conceived, Written, and
Performed by 

Dee Dee Batteast
 

Directed by 

THOMAS MURRAY

 

In this one-woman performance, actress and teacher Dee Dee Batteast crafts a darkly humorous exploration of the obstacles minority storytellers face in the American media. No AIDS, No Maids looks hard at the archetypal and two-dimensional characters women of color have played for over 50 years and disassociates gay men from the pervasive narrative of disease. As we consider the roles that race and gender play in our political and cultural lives, Batteast’s work points out the poor nutrition of deficient narratives. This performance took top honors at the Capital Fringe Festival in Washington, D.C.

RECENT PRESENTATIONS:

  • The Theatre School at DePaul University (Chicago, IL)

  • Western Michigan University (Kalamazoo, MI)

  • Ball State University (Muncie, IN)

  • Gloucester Stage Company (Gloucester, MA)

  • Capital Fringe Festival (Washington, D.C.)

What the Press SAY:

"[Dee Dee Batteast] is at her best bringing her audience into the audition room to hear firsthand the effects of discrimination. Working on a small but brightly lit stage, Batteast is friendly and funny as she asks her audience to become co-conspirators in her theatrical rebellion."

- The Washington Post

RECOMMENDED! “Batteast’s dark humor and personal stories reach us with camera-penetrating force. She shows us how these deficient stories hurt the people involved. This is a must-see for anyone interested in understanding the portrayal of certain minorities in American media, especially if you are a fellow fan of dark humor and thought-provoking design elements.”

- Picture This Post

FIVE STARS! "Anyone looking to improve their skills as a rhetorician need look no farther than No AIDS, No Maids. After seeing this thought-provoking and inspiring performance, you will not likely look at [television] —or the world— in the same way again."

- DC Theatre Scene.com

BEST OF THE FRINGE! "In a world where we are becoming increasingly interested in what we are consuming, and what effect it may be having on our bodies, No AIDS, No Maids aims to start the 'organic image' movement."

- DC Metro Theater Arts

What are you getting?

  • A dedicated screening of our production (digital streaming or performed live) for your student body

  • A participatory, artist-led workshop (digital or live in-person), expanding the dialogue sparked by the play

  • An Immersive learning experience for your students during which they learn new ways to consume and create relevant content with enriched social awareness

Topics Explored

  • Race, gender, and sexuality

  • Perceptions in mass media

  • The effect of tropes and stereotypes

  • Cultivation of curiosity and empathy

Want to talk about it?

Call executive director Thomas Murray at 773-349-2589 or click below to send him an email.

We bring the show to you.