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
