I Wore What When
- Agata Drogowska
- 6 hours ago
- 3 min read
I Wore What When, a solo play by Colleen Murphy, is a powerful story about childhood sexual abuse and how it affects survivors later in life. The main character, Maura, is a successful woman who decides to attend her high school reunion for the first time in 40 years. She wants to reconnect with Brad, a former classmate, and apologize for not helping him when he was abused by priests in their parish.
As Maura chooses what to wear to the reunion, each piece of clothing brings back painful memories from her past. Her outfits become symbols of important, often traumatic moments in her life. At the reunion, she and Brad have an honest conversation about what they went through and how they've tried to cope. This conversation helps Maura remember her own abuse, which she had pushed away for years.
What makes this story even more disturbing is the fact that Maura's younger sister was also sexually abused. The realization that both sisters were victims adds another heartbreaking layer to the drama. The solo performance is emotional and deeply moving. Michelle Shupe shows Maura's inner world with honesty, shifting between strength, pain, and reflection. The script is simple but powerful, showing how isolated abuse survivors often feel and how hard it is to find support from family or institutions.
Even though the play is fictional, it reflects the real experiences of many women and men who have gone through similar trauma. It reminds us how long and difficult the path to healing can be.
The stage design is very minimal, so the focus stays on the story and the performance. Soft changes in lighting and sound add emotional depth without taking attention away.
I Wore What When is a touching and thought-provoking play about abuse, memory, and survival. Through Maura's journey, the audience is invited to think about how trauma shapes us and how strong the human spirit can be, even after deep wounds.
Performed by Michelle Shupe
Written by Colleen Murphy
Directed by Shole Milos
April 5, 2025
March 18 through April 20, 2025
Theatre Row (410 West 42nd Street, NYC)
Born in Poland and based in New York, Agata Drogowska is a filmmaker, artist, journalist, writer, and curator specializing in the visual and performing arts. With a career spanning over two decades, Drogowska has become a significant figure in the cultural dialogue between Poland and the United States. She holds a degree in Painting and Arts Education from the University of the Arts in Poznań (formerly the Academy of Fine Arts) and a diploma in Filmmaking from the New York Film Academy, which she completed in 2010. Her multidisciplinary background is reflected in her diverse accomplishments as a painter, set designer, and artistic director during her early career in Poland. Drogowska’s notable achievements include serving as Vice President of the Artistic Association “InterCity” (1999–2010), curating a critically acclaimed exhibition of works by renowned Polish-American photographer Ryszard Horowitz (2010), and leading the public art project “The Art Benches” (2003–2007), which transformed urban spaces in Poznań into interactive art installations. Since 2012, Drogowska has been based in New York, where she currently serves as the President of New York Artists and Filmmakers. Under her leadership, the organization is dedicated to showcasing contemporary Polish cinema and fostering artistic collaborations between Poland and the United States. Her work has been presented at renowned venues, including MoMA, the Tribeca Screening Room, and the Polish Consulate General in New York. Drogowska is also an accomplished filmmaker, having debuted with the short experimental film Sick Home, Home Sick in 2004. Beyond her artistic endeavors, she is an active journalist and writer, contributing insightful articles on art, film, and culture to international publications. Her projects often focus on preserving and celebrating the legacy of Polish cinema and art, emphasizing their relevance in contemporary global discourse. For more information, visit agatadrogowska.com.
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