She Wore Those Shoes

by Erlina Ortiz

Inspired by the documentary "The Invisible War", Erlina Ortiz’s "She Wore Those Shoes" explores the prevailing issue of sexual assault within the United States military and the silence, stigma, and negligence that survivors often face.
Protagonist, Yudy, a strong and confident young Latina woman, excitedly joins the armed forces in pursuit of the military pride and prowess that her respected older brother...

Inspired by the documentary "The Invisible War", Erlina Ortiz’s "She Wore Those Shoes" explores the prevailing issue of sexual assault within the United States military and the silence, stigma, and negligence that survivors often face.
Protagonist, Yudy, a strong and confident young Latina woman, excitedly joins the armed forces in pursuit of the military pride and prowess that her respected older brother Abraham represents. Yudy’s high regard for her military “family,” however is deeply tarnished in the aftermath of trauma, as silence, disbelief, and betrayal ensue. Through memory, cadences, creative movement and unexpected humor, we follow Yudy’s journey as she navigates being a woman of color and veteran as well as something more than a victim of our pervasive rape culture.

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She Wore Those Shoes

Recommended by

  • Juan Ramirez, Jr.: She Wore Those Shoes by Erlina Ortiz
    “

    As a National Committee Reader for the Bay Area Playwrights Festival, I was introduced to this play about
    Yudy, who joins the army when she becomes a survivor of sexual abuse, when her older brother in the army, A.B., does not believe her. The betrayal leads her to take on a journey alone to ultimately make the choice to tell her story. The concept of soldiers acting as a Greek chorus is hauntingly beautiful. This play does the work to keep the conversation going.

    As a National Committee Reader for the Bay Area Playwrights Festival, I was introduced to this play about
    Yudy, who joins the army when she becomes a survivor of sexual abuse, when her older brother in the army, A.B., does not believe her. The betrayal leads her to take on a journey alone to ultimately make the choice to tell her story. The concept of soldiers acting as a Greek chorus is hauntingly beautiful. This play does the work to keep the conversation going.

    ”
  • Maximillian Gill: She Wore Those Shoes by Erlina Ortiz
    “

    Accounts of sexual abuse in the military are distressingly common; Ortiz takes on the subject with bravery and a commitment to making one of these stories specific and real while at the same time expanding the focus to take in the general culture of misogyny. Yudy's journey is powerfully rendered both through dialogue and stage directions. I also appreciate how the faceless soldiers are a constant threatening presence that shadow every scene. Compelling work.

    Accounts of sexual abuse in the military are distressingly common; Ortiz takes on the subject with bravery and a commitment to making one of these stories specific and real while at the same time expanding the focus to take in the general culture of misogyny. Yudy's journey is powerfully rendered both through dialogue and stage directions. I also appreciate how the faceless soldiers are a constant threatening presence that shadow every scene. Compelling work.

    ”

Development History

  • Reading, Theatre Exile, 2016

Production History

  • Workshop, Power Street Theatre Company , 2016