Written and performed by Kathryn Blume

Developed and directed by Michaela Hall

Additional staging by Jason Jacobs

Original score by Arthur Blume and Tim Reppert

Animation by Chris Kalb

It's November 2002.  Kathryn - an exuberant out-of-work actress and environmentalist with gargantuan dreams of stardom, a deep desire for world-salvation, and a serious chai addiction - gets particularly hot under the collar about the Bush administration's planned war on Iraq.

She casts about unsuccessfully for a way to both jump-start her career and forestall the impending war.  On the verge of total surrender, she unintentionally kicks off a global act of theatrical dissent: the Lysistrata Project, world-wide readings of the ancient Greek anti-war comedy "Lysistrata."

After two months of 18-hour days, Lysistrata Project is a raging success, with over 1000 simultaneous readings in 59 countries and in all 50 states.  But after the project is over, Kathryn still doesn't have an acting career and the U.S. goes to war anyway.  In the aftermath, she discovers that while she hasn’t saved the world, she has activated a transformation in herself.

Click here to see the trailer or buy the DVD:

East Bay Express

by Leah Greenstein 

www.in-nyc.com   

by Wendy R. Williams

Watching Kathryn Blume perform her one person show, The Accidental Activist, is like spending a charming evening with an old college chum, the one who never stopped being a hippie and is still true to her ideals...

It seems strange to describe an antiwar activist as adorable, but Kathryn Blume is just that.. 

Alternating between anecdotes from her own struggle to make it as an actress in New York City and the story of her “accidental activism”, Blume never fails to entertain.

The Ithaca Journal

Barbara Adams
 

This is not your dreaded drama or political polemic, it's an honest, self-aware, self-mocking, thoroughly charming (and very salty) tale of one woman's voyage to meaning.

Ithaca Times

Caissa Willmer

Despite our knowing that the war was not stopped, the description of the development of the first worldwide theater event for peace is very exciting, and Blume keeps the atmosphere buoyant with humor and an extraordinary energy.

To Joan la Pucelle, in an Arc of Color

God loves her

for herself alone,

and not

her lyric mouth

her fiery figure

her rapturous hair.

For that

He made men,

who every day

redeem His oversight.

• Just absolutely stunning.  One of my best evenings at the theatre since seeing Lysistrata in Cambridge in 1956.

• You managed in your writing, and your performance, to be profound, earthy, gutsy, honest, vulnerable, open, present, and stunningly provocative as you portrayed this journey.  It was just excellent acting, excellent editing, excellent writing, and a brilliant performance.

• At one point during your show I stepped outside of myself and I realized I was leaning forward on my seat with my mouth wide open and tears in my eyes.  Yes, it was one of the most stimulating theatre pieces I have seen, but more importantly it made me redefine myself.  Or maybe it would be more accurate to say that your bravery is so damn inspiring that suddenly I can't think of a single excuse anymore!

• You are indeed someone who throws a stone into a pond/lake/ocean and the ripples just continue and continue.  Bravo to you for your vision/talent/creativity/chutzpah/and heart.

• I felt you speaking for me. Me. That was my journey you were describing -- the frustration, the outrage, the lack for direction, the search for inspiration -- and what you told us reaffirmed for me the impact of the individual.

• The humor is so right for this piece and, it seems to me, essential to who you are and what distinguishes you in this great struggle in which we are all engaged.  Lemme tell you, it falleth as the rain from heaven, cool and sweet.

• Frankly, your play is more than just a good play.  It's an outstanding play.  And your performance is amazing.

• It's good theatre and politics for weary souls.

• For those of us who hate this administration and all the ugly wars and civil rights perversions, your take on the toll it takes on each of us personally and how one might find inspiration is both a call to action and a needed affirmation.

• Thank you for your great show.   You lit a fire under my butt. 

• I am deeply inspired by those moments in your performance last Thursday where you brought something real and big and quivering out into the light...I said inwardly, "Mmmmm... BIG art."

• Your show is inspiring, entertaining, educational, motivational, funny, depressing, sad, uplifting... Finally, the 'Accidental Activist' postcard on my fridge makes sense.  I picked it up over the summer because I liked the image.  Somehow I never read the flip-side.  See, even the postcard was inspiring. 

• I love your courage to be so completely outspoken. I know it's hard because I try to do it, too.  That's why I appreciate it in you so much. It inspires me to keep on keepin' on and that's so very important right now.

• Just a note to say thanks again for doing what you're doing -- it's an amazing thing.  Your show.  Your vision.  You.
  
  It's thrilling to be seeing the early stages of something Great, with a capital G, that I know is true and brilliant and worthwhile. 

I am vaguely jealous of those who saw the show earlier, or who worked with you on Lysistrata, or who stood in an elevator with you once when you were on your way to a dental appointment.

• Many, many thanks, Kathryn, for coming to Nevada County with your fabulous performance.  I was one of those in the audience and at times laughed so hard, I cried.  In fact, there were times that I thought you had gotten into my head, took my sentiments exactly and now they were being made public.  A standing ovation to you for having the courage to speak and perform what many of us are holding inside.

• I think you're a catalyst.  After hearing your story, I had a dream about something bad that had happened to me, but in the dream, everything turned out all right.

• I was 6 months in Iraq during the conflict and occupation.  Your play gives me hope.  Thank you.

• Better than Eve Ensler - Brava!

• Hi, Kathy.  I had to write and tell you how INCREDIBLE I thought your show was last night!!  I laughed, I boiled over, and yes, I almost cried, and I plan to spread the word to my friends.  You are SO  talented, and your depiction of the Sudanese mother was really amazing.   You engendered an evening of discussion between me and Craig, culminating in a decision to do volunteer work once a month as our (very local) effort to counteract the Bush regime's dismantling of every possible good cause.

• You were wonderful!  And that is what I did after seeing your piece - wonder.  I wonder at your bravery, beauty, and strength.  I wonder at the state of things.  I wonder at how soft my heart became watching you.  I wonder at what it means to feel at home in this world.  I wonder at the meaning of place.  I wonder at sorrow and hope.  Thank you.

• Kathryn, just to confirm--I REALLY enjoyed the show last night!  It's so smart, and thoughtful, and insightful, and honest! Truly. And a good length, too.  I particularly loved the family scene (I totally knew who was talking every second!) and the terrific Sudanese woman (WHAT a story!! And you totally *became* her--wow!).  Loved the backup of sound--well designed and gorgeously performed!

Downstage Right

• A small table (about bedside table-sized) to be used as a desk.  Should be sturdy enough to kneel on.

• A chair with arms.  Should be sturdy enough to sit on the arms of the chair.

• A small trash basket.

Center Stage

• Two black theatre cubes, open at the back.

Stage Left

• We need to talk about it.