David Gilbert
Ariyele Ressler is a bright star. I saw their performance at the Marsh Mainstage earlier this year, and it has stayed with me.
The vulnerable yet deeply funny performance did what the best art does: it told a very specific, intimate story which unveiled big emotions and universalities. The ideas of IFS (Internal Family Systems) form the structure of the piece, and Ressler embodies and plays out the different parts of herself, each as a different sharply honed character who makes arguments and states their cases to her - and to us, the audience. It's hard to make a smart, engaging piece built on theories, one that never feels didactic or theoretical, but Ressler succeeds and succeeds magnificently.
Most importantly, Ressler has star power, your eyes go right to her and do not leave. The emotional ride you are on while watching them perform: the joy, the sadness, the laughter is intense and amazing. I was sad when it was over, I wanted to hear and watch more, MORE!
- David Gilbert, Artist based in LA
Alicia Dattner
Ariyele is one of those people who takes the kind of risks in life, and art, that make you feel so alive - and then dares to tell you about it, in style.
She delves into the dark crevices of the unspoken, honest and vulnerable as all getout - and the whole time she’s up there, you’re thinking, “Girl, no you didn’t!” And Ariyele is like, “Girl, you know I DID!” And then secretly you’re like, “I didn’t even know that was possible… I wanna do that too!”
And every inch of her poetic, playful, sensual glory is in service to growth and evolution.
Lín Diagonales
A is incredibly magnetizing to watch, as they use the audience’s reaction — or lack thereof — as part of their show, straddling the line between scripted work and improvisation. You can feel that all of the action and speech is deeply in touch with a spontaneous perception and a cultivated anchor in themselves, making for a compelling theater experience.
Hot Not Hot is a balm of radical acceptance for our human complexity. Part memoir, part classroom, this show unapologetically opens door after door to unforeseen places.