Dive into the intriguing world of dystopian theater as Illinois State University’s School of Theatre, Dance, and Film prepares to present Erlina Ortiz’s compelling play, Honey Bee Baby. This production plunges audiences into a society where procreation is regulated, and those deemed “unsuitable” face a harsh existence. At the heart of this narrative is Clarisa, a young individual struggling to navigate a world that seems fundamentally at odds with her very being. While you might be searching for a “Honey Dance Movie,” the emotional choreography and social commentary within Honey Bee Baby offer a different kind of captivating performance, one that resonates deeply with contemporary anxieties and human experiences.
Clarisa’s Emotional Dance in a Hostile World
Clarisa’s journey, brought to life by Taniah Jones, is a poignant exploration of individuality in a world demanding conformity. Raised within the elite “Engine” class, Clarisa is far from thriving. Jones highlights Clarisa’s emotional divergence from her peers: “Different is a bad thing in the underground,” she explains, emphasizing Clarisa’s struggle to adapt her perspective to the rigid norms surrounding her. Clarisa’s isolation is further underscored by her limited world, confined to her home with minimal interaction and even lacking the simple pleasure of a window to the outside world. Her reality is one of emotional and physical confinement, a stark contrast to the vibrant expressions one might associate with a “honey dance movie,” yet equally compelling in its portrayal of human experience.
Director Alejandra Luna further illuminates Clarisa’s predicament, stating, “Clarisa is ‘unsuitable’ to live in this world because she cannot act like everyone else in her community.” Her deep emotional capacity, far from being valued, is “frowned upon and even criminalized.” This societal rejection of emotional depth forms a central conflict in Honey Bee Baby, prompting reflection on what society deems acceptable and the consequences for those who deviate. While not a “honey dance movie” in the traditional sense, the play choreographs a powerful narrative around emotional suppression and the yearning for genuine connection.
Unpacking the Dystopian Dance: Society and Survival
Luna provides critical context for the world Clarisa inhabits: “Clarisa lives in a white supremacist, fascist police nation…established to survive and adapt to extreme weather conditions.” This world, born from ancestral inaction on climate change, “thrives’ on only letting the ‘best’ humans reproduce,” ruthlessly discarding those who don’t adhere to its strict behavioral codes. This stark vision, influenced by Octavia Butler’s Parable of the Sower, as revealed through dramaturg Phitsinee Phurahong’s research, paints a chilling picture of societal control and the dehumanization of difference. The play’s exploration of these themes offers a thought-provoking, albeit different, kind of cinematic experience compared to what one might expect from a “honey dance movie” search.
Jones points to a turning point for Clarisa: encountering “Melisa and her friends,” individuals who openly express emotion and affection. This exposure marks “the first time Clarisa sees others expressing emotion, enjoying conversation, and just showing love,” offering a glimmer of hope and highlighting the fundamental human need for connection and emotional freedom within a restrictive society. While Honey Bee Baby may not be the “honey dance movie” you initially sought, its exploration of social dynamics, emotional expression, and the struggle for individuality provides a compelling and relevant theatrical experience.
Honey Bee Baby will be performed at Westhoff Theatre from September 26-29. Ticket information is available through the Center for the Performing Arts Box Office at Illinois State University. For those seeking narratives that resonate with contemporary social anxieties and the enduring power of human emotion, Honey Bee Baby offers a performance that will move you in ways you might not expect, even if it redefines your search for a “honey dance movie.”
