the bull-jean stories multimedia adaptation

Sharon Bridgforth’s “the bull-jean stories” serves as the foundation/inspiration upon which this multi-disciplinary performance artwork is being created. By weaving filmed stories and documentary interviews with live performance and visual art, Q-Roc will create an environment for the audience to co-exist with the artist as they are immersed in the world of rural, working class bull-daggas, together witnessing stories that speak to generations of bull-jeans.

The stories of family, love, heartache, friendship and survival told through bull-jean’s life resonate across age, race, location and time. Within the work there are twelve stories. Two of the stories will be short films shot on location and played during the performance. In addition to the two short films, background character footage and documentary interviews of masculine of center* womyn or “bull-jeans” spanning several generations will be filmed and integrated into the performance. The documentary interviews will connect the bull-jeans, their family and friends both past and present.  The rural south will come alive in the intimate performance environment with visual art by Houston artist, Lovie Olivia, who also identifies as masculine of center. The live performance elements are directed by H.J. Steward.

The bull-jean stories multi-media adaptation is a celebration of heroism and extraordinary courage to authentically survive the journey of life. This work is made possible by a 2010 Creation Fund Grant from the National Performers Network and co-commissioners: the South Dallas Cultural Center and DiverseWorks.

Check out an excerpt performed at a fundraiser for the show.

Check out the book: the bull-jean stories

*Masculine of center (MOC) is a term, coined by B. Cole of the Brown Boi Project, that recognizes the breadth and depth of identity for lesbian/queer/ womyn who tilt toward the masculine side of the gender scale and includes a wide range of identities such as butch, stud, aggressive/AG, dom, macha, tomboi, etc.