Resting B*tch Face

Defined as a cheeky, fearless and strong all-female circus production, Resting B*tch Face is sure to resonate with women of every generation. The circus production is set on tackling stereotypes and examining the social expectations that are put upon women every single day. SheBrisbane chatted with two of the performers behind the show, Maddy Grant and Shannon Egans.

Supported by Vulcana Women’s Circus, Maddy and Shannon hope that audience members have fun seeing Resting B*tch Face but that they also leave with some food for thought. “It’s a pretty funny, quirky show, we’re tackling some serious topics, like aging, beauty standards and biological clocks, but it’s in a really kind of comedic way.”

The resting b*tch face phenomenon has translated into a common expression now, a sort of nod to strong and powerful women. “I like that it has become more well known, people have become more and more aware of the expectations women are facing, like we are constantly being forced to smile and to be easy going.”

“I think that now more people are becoming aware of these expectations, it’s kind of taken off, like we know about it, we have a name for it and I know some people are adopting and reclaiming the title,” Maddy said.

Why circus performance was their chosen outlet for the show was because of the strength it takes. “With circus you have to be really strong, you’re putting yourself on display using your body in a powerful way and I think women are discouraged from doing that and being strong. So circus is an amazing tool for becoming more comfortable in yourself and your body.”

Removing these expectations is an important part of the show and its main message. “We need to keep having these conversations and keep making art and challenging and having dialogue around these things wherever we can.”

“It needs to start with the arts in Australia and internationally recognising that they have, not just a women problem but a colour issue as well as a trans and non gendered issue. So the first step for us as white women with well paid jobs, is to make sure that we make space for people who don’t have the same advantages that we do,” Shannon said.

“We’re not at the top of the circus heap because we are not white men, but we are higher up the ladder than other people and that’s the same across the performing arts. So I think the very first step is the acknowledgement that we need to lift everyone up to the same level and listen to those voices and to not try and speak for those people but to advocate when they ask us to. Then I think the discussion can start about making that change on a broader level.”

As they say, “smiling gives you wrinkles, resting bitch face keeps you pretty.”