Our society still has not moved past a lot of the masculine toxicity that prevails throughout our culture and even thought the door of the man's club has been locked several times, people still find a way to unlock it and Matthews monologue tugs at your heart but also angers you because it's so very real and still a thing after all this time.

It's exactly what you think it's going to be and yet in Olivia Matthews's capable hands, this monologue is far from predictable. Rather, if feels like the title makes a promise and the speech more than delivers. She's imbued Kira with a specific, complex personality and we get to know her very well very quickly. Her reasons not to drink at parties are manyf and hard-won. Through the character, Matthew shows us the danger and hypocrisy women face in before, during and after vulnerable situations. Full of charm and enhanced by its love of details, this is a must!

I had the joy of watching Janai Lashon perform "I Don't Drink At Parties" at it's debut during Ohio University's midnight madness. She really brought this piece to life and lifted Liv Matthew's words off the page. Aside from that, the story told is a common one of importance but done in a way that steers away from anger towards rape culture and towards hope through women looking out for each-other. I remember re-examining my own "Marks" in my life and how Liv's character portrays the big sister we all need and should aspire to be.