“….I’ve got tricks of the trade, some out-of-the-box shenanigans, dance, music, and serious tirades about WHAT IT TAKES TO SURVIVE WITH LOVE as a human”
IMPERMANENCE IS EXHAUSTING is a fiery one woman show with special guests and (delightfully optional) audience participation. Rythea Lee presents her humorous one woman show about the joyful practices required to deal with the undeniable reality of death. For her, it’s all about unabashed creativity, fearless self-expression, loving others passionately despite loss, and laughing at the absurdity of our humanity. Rythea shares monologues, choreography, poetry, and original songs, to create entertainment and artistic reflection.
“I keep forgetting that life is temporary. Do you? During long spans of denial about death, how do we cope? This is how I do it. I make art that makes me belly laugh, asks the big, annoying questions, and forces me to into raw aliveness…”
THE AUDIENCE is gently invited to participate in a few creative experiences as a way to taste Rythea’s tools for pleasurable living. The show has some surprise special guests from Rythea’s life, to punctuate the connections that fed her daily joy.
“Let me entertain, lecture, engage, involve, ignore, and ignite you”
One Woman Show Testimonials
Rythea, You were amazing last night! It was a pleasure for me to gaze about and see so many faces beaming with joy. You had the audience in the palm of your hand for the entire evening! Through your quirky, funny, raw and honest delivery, you offer us all a grand opportunity to connect to the human experience. That’s what I saw in people’s beaming faces: a sweet combination of both the delight of them witnessing artistry and also their own self-recognition in the material being offered. You are a performance artist conduit! You are able to dive into a complex and tangled inner world of complexity and bring us a clear and crucial message from that place. And in your supernatural effort that alchemizes into celebration, you help us all to mend our souls. -Brando
“The way Rythea brings an audience into her personal world to share the struggle of being human is pure genius. Her dancing delights the soul, and her dialogue is personal, brave and hysterical. Her comedic songs are a slice of stand up in a guitar. Rythe’s song about parenting broke my heart. When you watch her show it’s like she’s reached into your heart and discovered what’s there and is saying to you “I see you. I hear you and I’m here to help you come out of hiding.” -Rene
Rythea’s concert last night was superior!! She is a CHANNEL of human-ness!!! So life-affirming, and so funny, and so bold. What a joy to be there. -Penny
I also want to say that your show this weekend was so strong and clear and bright and wise and wild and GENEROUS! -Beth F.
Another amazing performance by you! I really enjoyed both shows— being part of the Underaccumulataionscore and also witnessing you shine. I appreciate you opening up your platform of love and art and inviting me/us in. You’re a (loving) rockstar! -Meta
So many small treasures of moments: Again watching the writers moving their hands across their pages, then finding a partner to share with; Again Torielle’s solo/duet with you; A moment I hadn’t picked up on last time — in silence gesturing with your arm to the corners of the space; The wonderful silence that fell on us all as you showed us what your meat will look like when you’re dead; AND most personally for me, how I wept (and here are my tears again remembering this) — at the run-through and again at the show — with grief and joy while you sang (seemed like it was just for me) your sweet song of love and hope before closing with STOP THE NONSENSE. Thank you so much for calling down from wherever you draw this energy to let us be with you in it. -Dale
Dear Rythea, I wanted to take a moment to let you know all the ways I appreciate your work.This continues to be true and with such a wonderful blend of the clown and the unabashedly strong honest vulnerable woman. I love the way you included the audience, i love that you gave us the opportunity to write and share and have that wild fun 4 minutes of zumba with Aimee.
I love your words and your dancing is gorgeous and characterful. You are for sure a brilliant voice for healing, unveiling shame and negativity with such good humor ( with the understanding that this takes lots of work and courage) I love the way you created such a sense of community, or rather allowed the community to experience itself in relation to you. Thank you and congratulations -Shakti
I LOVED your show! Now added to my long list of your brilliantnesses is JOKE WRITER. I know it’s not a new skill for you, but I noticed it this time. You treat your subject matter like taffy, deftly braiding together the big moments with hysterical morsels of relatability. Drawing waves of catharsis from us. -Stephen Katz
Learn About Past Performances
An Evening of Insights with Rythea Lee
Having the right insight at the right time can change a person’s life. Join performance artist Rythea Lee as she skillfully rides your mind and heart into the unexpected epiphanies of her psyche. This is a Memoir Musical, where song, story, and dance ask life’s defining questions.
Who are you and are you acting like a dick?
And…are you sure you’re not acting like a dick?
Press
First a Dancer
By James Heflin – The Valley Advocate, Jul 23, 2014
When Rythea Lee steps onto a stage, her remarkable calm is striking, even inviting. She looks right at the audience, and seems untroubled by a flock of expectant faces. She often performs in crowded living rooms, where she can look audience members in the eye, up close. Such circumstances might rattle the most seasoned of performers, but she seems at home, utterly relaxed and fearless.
All the same, Lee says, “It totally freaks me out! You have to learn to work with your fear—there’s lots of adrenaline to work with. At one show…[read more]
Click for Reviews
~ Sara Nolen, Educator, Writer
“Rythea’s presence astonishes me. I had never met, or even seen, her before coming to the show, but from the moment she walked out, I felt that we were old friends. She maintained this unmitigated connection with the audience throughout the performance, first as she shared with us her joy and beautiful laughter; and then, later, when she moved into deeper and darker territories. I was also struck by the way she combines a gorgeous singing voice with an exceptional sense of humour, so that her songs are both achingly beautiful and uproariously funny.”
~ Toby Vera Bercovici, Theatre Director, Real Live Theatre; Acting Teacher
“I was moved and spellbound by your performance this evening. Your words, singing, dancing, emoting, yeah, wow the emoting! brilliant!!!!! Thank you for coming through, for shining and sharing and gifting us with your talent and your light. All blessings.”
~ Devorah Rosenberg, Midwife, Dancer, Mother
“Wow! What a show! I just wanted to thank you for your performance, Rythea. I had so many laughs as well as tender moments and deep insights while enjoying your show. This area is very blessed to have you living here. I feel like the rest of the nation, especially groups of silenced women, could use your guidance. I hope you consider touring your show.”
~ V Haddad, Performing artist
“Really awesome show. Your poise with getting the audience to hold pauses was amazing as was the content itself. I noticed you would tilt your head slightly to the right I think and we would know appreciation was welcomed, otherwise, we seemed to collectively know that a quiet pause til the next piece was desired. Really brave content, choreography and even braver sit with the audience afterward. Please keep doing the great work that you are doing. it is very inspirational.”
~ Paula Tessier, Visual artist
“Thanks. What a beautiful night. I was really moved by the work, and as I think was partly its purpose, it helped me reflect deeply on some old shit of my own. Amazing, this gift you gave us all. As I also think I said, doing this kind of tightrope work between “oversharing” and authentic honesty, incredibly heavy topics and cynical whimsy, while dancing and singing and playing guitar. Just WOW! Seems incredibly hard to pull off (and so well done!).”
~ Pacey Foster, Musician
“WOW. You were killin’!! So honest, sweet and heartfelt and so harsh at the same time. Searing! Thank you. I was very glad to be there. You worked very hard and and I am better for it.”
~ Mike Vargas, International composer
“Was WONDERFUL! Holy fucking shit, you are such a BRAVE, BOLD, BEAUTIFUL, BAD-ASS-BABE!!!! I sat there in awe of you last night and feeling so honored to know you! I brought a friend who has never seen anything quite like that and she was thoroughly moved, impressed and inspired and really glad to have had the chance to see you. And I got to feel like I made the world a better place by coming out last night and seeing you AND introducing my friend to your inspired and deeply honest art.”
~ Emily Breines, Musician, OT
“Your show had me spell bound. It made me laugh a lot, but also cry, because it brought up my own pain. It is so impressive that you can feel so free to be yourself. I loved your expressions, versatility, the music, the dance, the honest sincerity, and the creative originality. I am in awe of your talent, humanness, and gutsiness! The message at the end was inspiring. I thoroughly enjoyed tonight.”
~ Rhonda Wainshilbaum
“Wow, Rythea, your performance was a knock-out brilliant one-woman show. I kept imagining you doing it in NYC (not sure you even want to do such things) but it was really great in every possible way. My only complaint was that I wanted it to go on and on and it ended too fast!!! I really usually am glad when something is over, but in this case, I was just sad that your show ended….I could have spent hours more watching and listening to you. Kind of amazing…”
~ Peggy Gillespie, Artist, performer
“I attended your solo show this past Saturday and didn’t get a chance to talk to you after the show, so I just wanted to let you know how much I enjoyed it. What an accomplishment to pull off a piece that’s so funny yet so deep. I was really in awe of your bravery in sharing your story, and I loved the songs.”
~ Sarah Marcus, Theatre artist
“Rythea’s one woman show felt like an invitation into a hilarious theme park, where the theme is the affirmation of the human spirit. I felt touched to be invited to such a spectacle.”
~ Brando, Dancer, DJ, teacher of theatre arts
“Thank you thank you! It was such a joy and privilege and pleasure and inspiration to see your piece last night. It’s proven one of the kinds of performance experiences that doesn’t evaporate but continues to feel warm and tasty under my skin, going to sleep and waking up this morning.”
~ Shaina Cantino, Dancer, performer
“Omg, frankly, I think your show is brilliant which is why I want to show it in my HOME. So, your songs are amazing, and funny, and touching, and illuminating, and your voice is off the hook beautiful. The monologues are honest and provocotive and heartbreaking and hilarious all at the same time. What? How do you DO that? And I love to watch you move and dance. I could watch you all day. Your piece is necessary and important so that people know that it is possible to heal from intense trauma. It’s an inspiration in EVERY WAY.”
~ Lizzy Tyler Majka, Movement Arts instructor, performer, mom
“I really loved your show. I was very moved by it; caused me to reflect and ponder through my tears and laughter. Thank you for your funny honesty and your not always funny honesty. Thanks for your music which complements and deepens your words, and thank you for being such an embodied – joyful–quirky-fluid mover and evoker of images and associations. I think living rooms is a great size for this performance. If you were big and famous the intimacy would be lost on that big broadway stage. Thank you for your spark!”
~ Jenny Ladd, Actor, activist
“Talk about turning lemons into lemonade! Rythea’s bold, unfiltered, courageous, and no holds barred honesty in telling her life story and its lessons is at once healing and inspirational and not to be missed. I will be recommending diving deeply into her audacious performances, beautiful songs, and book of wisdom to all the trauma survivors I know and work with, starting with myself.”
~ Asherah Allen, Lic. Ac., L.M.T., MAOM
“Rythea breaks the 4th wall, balancing the intimacy of knowing everyone in the audience in an in-house concert, while holding role of performer. She is fully present, extremely funny, vulnerable, honest, and wise, a fabulous song writer, singer, and a gorgeous mover. She is one of the most natural performers I’ve ever known.”
~ Carolyn Shakti Sadeh, Dancer, teacher