Amontaine Aurore

Free Desiree


Written and performed by: Amontaine Aurore

Directed by: Tikka Sears

Presented at: New York Fringe Festival, NY; West of Lenin Theater, The Orcas Center, Velocity Dance Center, and Rainier Valley Cultural Center, Seattle, WA

Published through: Indie Theater Now

Press: New Yorker; Named Best Bet by Theater is Easy; Review, NY Theater.com,

Move Over Anna Deveare Smith, review , Island's Sounder

Desiree and Shauna are two rebellious sisters growing up in the 1970s, in search of their identities amidst the cultural revolution and in the shadow of their Seattle suburb. Former-geek-girl, Desiree believes she has the stuff to become a revolutionary. But just as she’s finding her mojo, a crisis at her high school shakes her up and brings her to some startling realizations. In the meantime, her sister Shauna, a professional cheerleader, thinks she oughta be in pictures. When Hollywood comes calling, Shauna is sure she will be Blaxploitation star Pam Grier’s successor. But is Shauna ready for Hollywood? Is Hollywood ready for Shauna?

Press

Here is what the press has to say about Free Desiree:

Theater is Easy named Free Desiree a New York City Fringe Festival Best Bet!

Indie Theater Now named Free Desiree as among the “most exciting, original and innovative new scripts” in the 2013 New York Fringe Festival.

It’s such a treat to see African American women portrayed as funny, proud and flawed, and reminds you just how rare that still is. “ Theater is Easy, New York

“Aurore brilliantly captures these sharp sisters … Free Desiree is a wonderful trip into the mind …” NY Theater.com, New York

"Free Desiree is a disciplined, passionate and rollicking story … by turns poignant and hilarious … It is not hard to imagine Amontaine Aurore amassing honors for her exquisite evocation of a teenager’s emerging awareness … “ Norm Stamper for the Islands’ Sounder, Orcas Island

"Aurore dances, pantomimes, sings and acts with passion and poignancy.” Nancy Worssam, Seattle Times

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Below is an interview of Amontaine Aurore on her play, The Year the Revolution Came to White High School High, eventually renamed Free Desiree. Thank you Tracy!

Interview of Amontaine Aurore by Teen Tix interviewer, Tracy M

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Pom Pom Baby Movie Trailer

Shauna is a professional cheerleader who believes she can be in the movies. With the help of her sister, Desiree, she puts together a movie trailer. From the solo theatrical production, Free Desiree. Written by Amontaine Aurore, Directed by Amy Sedgwick, Edited by Marc Newman, voice over by Nick Howell.

Photos by Nichole DeMent

Shauna-Cheering-in-Alley-e1415231484563.jpg DSC4130-1024x680.jpg DSC3773-1024x680.jpg DSC4275-1024x680.jpg DSC3839-1024x680.jpg DSC36291-1024x680.jpg FreeDesiree poster_Imageonly_web-150ppi.JPG Shauna with french horn.JPG Shauna.jpeg Desiree with sign.JPG Shauna in light.JPG