The Tree Hugger

For my very first performance at the Collaborative Concept’s Farm Project, I decided to challenge myself.  As a city girl, raised on the South Side of Chicago, I had always been more comfortable with asphalt than grass.  I wondered if I would be able to stay outside  — hugging a tree  —  for one hour each Saturday for two months.  I did it!

I also wanted to engage with the people who came to watch me.  So, I took periodic breaks from hugging in order to read love poems!  I allowed the viewers to select a poet from a short list.  After my reading of the poem(s), I initiated a discussion with the viewer.