29 Aug Aftermath – A Play You Should See…

Helena Levitt

Helena Levitt is a Montreal actress who is currently rehearsing a play called Aftermath; a production that is produced and directed by The Waterworks Company founders Rob Langford and Tracy Houston. It is a one-woman show about the true story of feminist activist Andrea Dworkin.

In her own words, Andrea shares her story about being drugged and raped in her Paris hotel room. Given what is currently in the news with Bill Cosby, it is a very timely piece of theatre.

Helena began her career in Toronto, after graduating from The Dome Professional Theatre program. She worked on stage and film until she moved back to Montreal to raise a family. Helena did a Social Work degree with a focus in Drama Therapy before returning to the stage. It was with this expertise that she had the opportunity to blend her love for drama with her gift of being able to intervene with people therapeutically. This skill set is a huge asset for Helena in her role as Andrea Dworkin; a feminist activist who defended female victims of domestic violence, sexual abuse and discrimination. After she herself was drugged and raped, the repercussions of this horrific event leave her totally dissociated from the actual trauma that she cannot remember. She is left feeling empty and powerless to not only care for herself, but to effect change and advocate for all those who are vulnerable.

Helena, second from left, in Pool (No Water). Photo credit: Gordon McCall

When first given the script to read, Helena was incredibly moved.

“I was reading the most private, intimate words of a real person, not a character. I was never in a situation where I had direct access to so much information about a character I was playing. I could access not only the words in Aftermath, but also the books Andrea had written, the things people had written and said about her. I feel blessed as an actress to have this insight into what made her so incredibly brave and vulnerable. The challenge now is to be as authentic as I can, in order to give this story the integrity it deserves.”

About the show:

“Aftermath” runs September 17th to 27th, 2015, at the Centre culturel Georges-Vanier, 2450 Workman, Little Burgundy, a couple of blocks northeast of the Atwater Market. METRO: Lionel-Groulx.

A special première takes place on Thursday, 17 September at 8pm; the show runs over the next two weekends Fridays at 8pm, Saturdays at 4pm and 8pm, and Sundays at 4pm. Admission is $18 / $13 (buyer chooses price). Tickets are available, via Eventbrite, at www.waterworksmontreal.com, or at the door.

Post-show talkbacks, with special guests, will take place throughout the first weekend.