Babes With Blades’ Fighting Words Festival features readings of three new scripts in development that utilize stage combat to tell stories of underrepresented communities. The plays and their performance times are: Sin Agua – Saturday, June 24, 2:30 PM; Rich B*tch – Saturday, June 24, 7:30 PM; and The Gatekeepers – Sunday, June 25, 2:30 PM. After each reading the audience has an opportunity to provide feedback for the playwright. Live streaming is available for the June 24 and 25 readings. Admission is FREE online and in person. (Masking is required for in-person attendance.)

Kim Fukawa

Brandi Jiminez Lee

Kathrynne Wolfe

The performing ensemble for the Fighting Words Festival includes Columbia College alums Kim Fukawa ’07, Brandi Jiminez Lee ’15, and Kathrynne Wolf ’96, all graduates of the Theatre Department’s BA Program in Acting. Columbia College alum Amy Gerwert Valdez ’21, a graduate of the Theatre Department’s Theatre Directing program, is the director of Sin Agua.

Sar Cohen

Chloe Streif

Tina-Kim Nguyen

Tristin Hall

Meme Matteson

The company includes Columbia alums Sar Cohen ’18, Chloe Streif ’18, and Zimbo Gessert ’19, all graduates of the Theatre Department’s BA Program in Acting with a Minor in Stage Combat; Tina-Kim Nguyen ’19, a graduate of the Theatre Department’s BA Program in Acting; Tristin Hall ’18, a graduate of the Theatre Department’s BA Program in Musical Theatre with a Stage Combat Minor; Meme Matteson ’18, a graduate of the Theatre Department’s BA Program in Musical Theatre; and Jen Sloan ’17, a graduate of the Theatre Department’s Theatre Directing program.