Purchase your ticket today!

Behind Closed Doors Debut
at Trinity Repertory Company Dowling Theater was a phenomenal success!

Tickets are now on sale, so don't delay—be a part of this grounbreaking experience.

Behind Closed Doors is an original play written and performed by 15 survivors of domestic violence from SOAR, a task force of RICADV. This performance is a true account of their experiences with domestic violence, hope and survival, and seeks to draw you into their lives to dispel the stigmas of this often misunderstood abuse. The script was crafted by Trinity Repertory Company teaching artists Michael Williams and Francesca Montanile, who mentored the SOAR members in cultivating their performances. The play was developed over ten 90-minute sessions in which the survivors journaled, wrote poetry and told stories that were weaved into a play composed completely of their own words. The women speak both their own words and the words of their fellow survivors. All proceeds from Behind Closed Doors benefit SOAR/RICADV in raising awareness to end domestic violence.

 "It was the most compelling presentation regarding domestic violence I have seen. With real-life stories presented in a creative way, the play took the audience from early warning signs of domestic violence, to psychological control and physical abuse, to escape and finally ongoing survivorship; it encompassed all aspects of the cycle of violence. The strength of the fifteen women presenting their stories was inspiring on many levels. Everyone should view this play, especially young people starting out in new relationships." ~ Peter Kilmartin, RI Attorney General 

"Behind Closed Doors was such an inspiring, educational, and emotional presentation." ~ Student 

"My initial reaction was summed up into one word: wow. There were more emotions expressed in that play than any other play that I have ever been to, and this I feel is important because it was real-life experiences that were being told." 

"I would like to start off by saying that this was the most influential school event that I have been to in my college career. The courage that these women put on display to tell their stories was something that I had never seen before. I am thankful that I was there to witness it."

About SOAR:

SOAR (Sisters Overcoming Abusive Relationships) is a nationally recognized  task force of the Rhode Island Coalition Against Domestic Violence, made up of survivors of domestic violence. SOAR's mission is to promote, advocate and work towards the elimination of domestic violence and to embody and give visibility to the voices of abused women. SOAR is the only group in Rhode Island specifically working on systems change that entirely consists of domestic violence survivors, and is a leader among similar groups in the nation.

SOAR is one of only four recent recipients of the highly competitive 2012 Mary Byron Award Celebrating Solutions. This monetary award is given to organizations across the country for their work in implementing solutions that fight domestic violence or serve domestic violence survivors and families.

Awards:

SOAR members received special recognition from the Attorney General during Victims' Crime Week for their performance in the play Behind Closed Doors.

The Trinity Repertory Company, Michael Williams and Francesca Montanile received the 2012 Justice Award in the Category of Domestic Violence Prevention for their role in creating Behind Closed Doors.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Monday, December 10, 2012
CONTACT: Cristina Williams at RICADV; Phone: (401)
467-9940; Cell: (917) 940-3729

Sisters Overcoming Abusive Relationships (SOAR) Groundbreaking Play, Behind Closed Doors, Debuts at Trinity Repertory Theater and Shines Light On Domestic Violence

Fifteen women from the nationally recognized task force of survivors tell real stories of domestic violence, hope and survival to a full audience at the Trinity Repertory Company Dowling Theater. SOAR is also one of four recipients in the country to recently receive the Mary Byron Award for their work in creating innovative solutions to end domestic violence such as Behind Closed Doors.

[Providence, RI] Sisters Overcoming Abusive Relationships (SOAR) today debuted the sold-out play, Behind Closed Doors, a collaboration with Trinity Repertory Company. (The play's opening night was to be the signature event of Domestic Violence Awareness Month for the Rhode Island Coalition Against Domestic Violence (RICADV); however, Hurricane Sandy caused the postponement.)

"A loving mother, sister and wife; a level 2 non-violence trainer; a proud full-time college student; a scientist; a nurse; a God fearing woman; and an advocate." This is how the different members of the cast of Behind Closed Doors define themselves. All of the fifteen women who wrote and performed the play are also survivors of domestic violence and members of SOAR. The play itself is a scripted, true account of their experiences.

Read more: Behind Closed Doors