'Fired Up,' Based on the Stories of Child Sexual Abuse Survivors, to be Staged Here Nov. 11

A performance of “Fired Up: Survivor Stories of Trauma, HOPE and Change” will be held at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 11, in the auditorium of O’Shaughnessy Educational Center on the St. Paul campus of the University of St. Thomas.

Fired-Up-Newsroom-logoThe performance is based on the written and verbal histories of six Minnesota survivors of child sexual abuse who also serve as cast members. It was written and produced by child sexual abuse prevention expert Cordelia Anderson of the Minnesota Coalition of Sexual Assault (MNCASA). A goal of the performance is to encourage audience members to get “fired up” to help end the abuse of children.

The word “HOPE” in the title refers to the Honoring Our Personal Experiences (HOPE) program.

The script weaves together the cast members’ life stories in a way that shares their individual trauma while calling for collective action to end the abuse.

The performance, co-sponsored by MNCASA, St. Thomas and Metropolitan State University, is open to the public. Tickets are required and are available online here. The tickets are available through a name-your-price system that includes “free” as an option. Each ticket is good for two people and ticket holders are encouraged to bring a friend or companion.

“Fired Up” includes frank discussions of child sexual abuse and is written for an adult audience. It may be appropriate for youth in their teens, but is not appropriate for young children. A discussion session will follow the 75-minute performance. Trained sexual assault advocates will be on hand to serve as a resource and support for anyone who feels a need to talk with someone after the performance.

The first live performances of “Fired Up” were staged readings to sold-out audiences in April at the Pillsbury House Theater in Minneapolis. The show, now touring in six locations throughout Minnesota, is made possible by a grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the state’s Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund.