Smita Russel's latest monodrama, Odds Are, delves into the deeply personal and universally significant topic of pregnancy and miscarriage, a subject that resonates with countless women yet often remains shrouded in silence. Through her intimate and raw storytelling, Smita brings the audience face-to-face with the realities of her own experiences: nine pregnancies, seven of which ended in miscarriage.
This staggering number is not just a testament to the physical and emotional challenges she has endured but also to the resilience and vulnerability it takes to share such a story with the world. Yet, as the audience journeys with her through this deeply emotional terrain, one is left wondering: does this act of sharing offer the catharsis or healing that many might expect?
Smita's performance, though courageous, does not convey a sense of closure or liberation. Instead, it feels like an open wound—raw, unhealed, and aching. Her decision to recount these experiences in such vivid detail raises an essential question: can storytelling truly alleviate the pain of loss, or does it risk amplifying it?
This raw authenticity did not go unnoticed, earning Smita the Best Production award at United Solo, the world's largest solo theatre festival. The recognition highlights not only the artistic merit of Odds Are but also its ability to spark critical conversations around a subject often left in the shadows.
Smita Russel's Odds Are is a challenging and thought-provoking piece, offering no easy answers but demanding that we confront the complexities of grief, resilience, and the human spirit.
"Odds Are"
Written and Performed by Smita Russell
Directed by Jacqueline Loewen
November 12 and 16, 2024
United Solo Festival, Theatre Row, NYC
The 17th United Solo Festival
September 24 – November 17, 2024
Theatre Row
410 West 42nd (btw 9th and 10th Avenue)
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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