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Feminism, Activism, Vikings, #MeToo

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Shield Maiden Play came from feminism, activism, Vikings, and the #MeToo Movement. This one woman play explores the framework of today’s #MeToo Movement laid on top of the ancient woman warrior archetype.

The catalyst for Shield Maiden play is a 2018 article about DNA testing done on a corpse found in a Viking burial site in the 1800’s. The testing revealed that the “ideal warrior grave” was occupied by a female. Not a male. This challenges every discovery of every warrior burial site world wide. What happens if scientists do more DNA studies on remains assumed to be male?

What does it mean when feminism and activism enter into the scientific study of Vikings? “Hedenstierna-Jonson et al. just opened up a whole line of research questions that remind us how complex, rich, and fascinating human societies actually are when we study them for who they were and not to reflect who we think we are.”  Holly Norton, The Guardian

These researchers rolled feminism, activism, Vikings and #MeToo up in one tasty, spicy, mind-blowing, intellectual taco.

Women serve in active combat, fight for human rights and raise and protect their children. When strong women do step forward, there is STILL an immediate attempt to silence them, humiliate them, denigrate them and ultimately, erase them.

Recent examples of women warriors include Jody Wison-Raybould and Jane Philpot in Canada and “The Squad” in the US as well as the most amazing young female warrior, Greta Thunberg . These women are examples of warrior spirit. Furthermore, they are in actual battle because their lives are threatened for speaking out against status quo assumptions.

Maybe it’s difficult for you to imagine a Viking woman warrior existed. But feminism and activism will continue to challenge scientific assumptions. Why not take a page out of the Birka DNA study and assume that all people are capable of amazing things.

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Archetype of the Woman Warrior

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Shield Maiden Play shines a light on the archetype of the woman warrior. What happens when women step beyond nice and polite? How do you feel when you witness one woman’s vulnerability, sexuality and rage all in one conversation? What does unapologetic female power look like? And…

What’s it like to see a woman warrior wield deadly weapons?

I’m supported by a team of amazing warrior sisters including director Nicolle Nattrass and production manager, Sandy Cumberland. I worked with my friend EJ Hurst, a blackbelt in the Kyokushin Karate tradition. She helped me ground down into some deeper warrior energy. Her energy is with me every time I’m on stage. When I rehearse, when I go over lines, when I listen to music that inspires my inner warrior – I feel that strong archetypal influence.

However, some of the physicality of being a warrior is really tough for me to access. I’m specifically talking about weapons and how to use them. Sandy found a hot shot to help me dive in deeper. He is Choreographer R Robinson Wilson. Not only is he a highly respected Fight Guy, he is super well versed in all things Norse. We have our first fight rehearsal session tomorrow. I am so excited to see how we can further develop the visual strength of the Viking warrior woman. We have discussed the possibility that my character, Ingrid, needs a sword, a shield AND an axe. Keep your eyes open for posts of my practice injuries. They could be phenomenal.

Most of us will never need to be proficient with axes and swords and other forms of weaponry. But I want you to come away from my production feeling like if you ever needed to…you could. That’s the power of art. Archetypes work this way too. They tap into the common unconscious experience and reflect it back.

The archetype of the woman warrior is needed now more than ever. 

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This is the zeitgeist of the #MeToo movement, the #TimesUp movement. The line has been crossed for the Fourth Wave of Feminism. As a result, don’t expect the mother/nurturer to show up and explain things gently and hand you cookies while she’s doing it. Nope. Warrior Woman shows up solid and unyielding to your incorrect assumptions about her. And she is ready to dissolve the arena where all the injustice has occurred.

So I’m working very hard to get this play out in front of people. Because sometimes, unless you see and hear a strong woman speak her truth and not back away from other people’s bullshit, you don’t realize how much you’ve been groomed to stay quiet and well behaved. Above all, you don’t realize how strong the woman warrior is in YOU.

Go see shieldmaidenplay.com

Contact us for information regarding our modern day woman warrior post show panel discussions.

  • United Solo This is the largest juried solo show in the world and happens off Broadway in the famed Theatre District of New York City.

Want to help get Team Shield Maiden to NYC this fall? Email us and donate air miles and/or funds. Have friends and family in the NYC area who love kick ass feminist theatre? Spread the word about our show at USolo.

  • British Columbia this fall (dates tba)
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Shield Maiden NYC Tickets

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Shield Maiden NYC Tickets are on Sale for Shield Maiden Play in NYC at the United Solo Festival. This prestigious juried festival has invited Shield Maiden to perform on Theatre Row, Off-Broadway on October 31st at 7:30 pm. It’s guaranteed to be a fantastic night. Melanie Teichroeb’s alter ego Ingrid, Viking Woman Warrior, brings truth to Broadway.

It’s Halloween so dress up as your favourite warrior. Or come as a Viking. Or come as your amazing self! Don’t miss the opportunity to be a part of the rowdy crowd!

Shield Maiden Play is about a Viking Woman Warrior who addresses sexism, gender bias, sexual freedom, and trauma. Written and performed by Melanie Teichroeb during the birth of the #metoo movement. Think Ted Talks but with a Viking twist.

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Shield Maiden Cultivate Festival Gabriola, BC

To Get Shield Maiden NYC tickets go to the United Solo show link and click on tickets or go directly to the TeleCharge Link for October 31st, 7:30pm

Contact Melanie for more Information

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United Solo Festival Invites Shield Maiden Play to NY

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Shield Maiden – Sword Ready

Shield Maiden Play is going to 42nd Street, New York City for the United Solo Festival ! 

The United Solo Festival has invited Melanie to perform Shield Maiden on October 31st, 2019. Tickets will be on sale July 15. It’s a huge honour to be chosen for Ufest. This is the world’s largest solo show theatre festival. This year celebrates 10 years for the festival. Last year 80% of the plays were by woman.

We will be reaching out for support for the show. If the first night sells out you get a second night. If that sells out you get a third and so on. Tell your friends and make plans now to be in the audience as your favourite Viking woman warrior conquers 42nd Street in New York’s world famous Theatre District .


Contact Melanie to find out more information on how you can be there or help support.

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Happy New Year Warriors!

Happy New Year Warriors! Today is New Year’s Eve, 2018. I’m slowing down for a moment to look back and reflect on the year and how it unfolded for me.

We are all fighting for something. Some of you made that move to change jobs. Maybe you stood up to an abusive partner or co-worker. Did you decide to finally take more time for yourself when you feel pulled in a million different directions? None of it’s easy. All of it takes extreme courage. I have been so inspired by people sharing their warrior ways with me this year.

As I reflect back on my year, the big stand out for me IS courage and how hard that stuff is to come by. When we finally find some, it is monumentally hard to keep it out in the open. I tend to want to stuff it back into a little hidey hole somewhere. But this year, I’ve had to keep the courage machine pumping…non stop. Oh, I get afraid and want to quit. But for the first time in a long while, I am able to get back out in front of my fears and move forward.

For me, courage came from writing my play, “Shield Maiden”. I’d love to share the play with you. Check the show schedule for venues and times. It gets updated regularly. I’ve got some exciting ones coming up on Gabriola and in Austin, Texas for Frontera Fest.

I could not have found an ounce of courage without the character the play is built around. I’m talking about the amazing, bad ass Viking warrior, Ingrid. Ingrid is so clear. She knows herself. She is uncompromising. The tag line of my play has become my mantra…”Fierce, Sexy, Funny, Uncompromising”. I am sure that if I say it enough times, it will become true. Like Dorothy repeating “There’s no place like home.” Maybe it’s true already. That’s the gift of courage I think. You don’t even know you’ve had it till you look back and reflect. So, here I am. Reflecting. Happy New Year, Warriors!

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Shield Maiden Gabriola, BC
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Welcome to Shield Maiden!

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Thanks for joining me here at Shield Maiden! Stay tuned for more great blog posts on Vikings, women warriors, theatre, one woman shows and feminism!

There are some people who still feel threatened by strong women. That’s their problem. It’s not mine.
—Gloria Allred