By Gabbie Burton
Contributing Writer

In honor of Women’s History Month, Street Lamp Productions in Rising Sun, Md. hosted the “Our Voice Our Story” cabaret at The Hook Experiment in Oxford on March 14. The cabaret featured 10 women singing a selection of songs that resonated with each of their stories and experiences in womanhood. 

The sold-out event attracted around 120 guests including friends and family of the performers as well as local music lovers. Attendees enjoyed charcuterie cups, snacks from Herr Foods and wine and other beverages from Flickerwood Wine Cellars, a sponsor of the night. Other sponsors of the event included Oxford Mainstreet, Vanessa Ross Cakes and the Oxford Arts Alliance.

Bethany Atkinson, the creator of the cabaret, shared that the idea for the event came from her own musical theater background and her experience growing up and being separated from performing arts as other areas of life took over. 

“I grew up in the magical world of musical theater,” Atkinson said. “As a kid, you get to experience this and, as you grow up, it disappears. The magic disappears and you become a mom, you become a wife, you work, your profession and the opportunity of coming here onto a stage isn't presented anymore.”

Additionally, Atkinson explained that when she was listening to music, she would hear her friends in different songs and asked them to perform those songs for her at the event. 

“What I saw in my girlfriends is amazing women who inside them, they have a star,” she said.  “And tonight you're going to see that inner star in all of these women and they have a story to share with you.”

When Atkinson approached Laura Woods, executive director of Street Lamp Productions with her idea, Woods explained that it would fit perfectly into Street Lamp’s existing cabaret series. Woods added that the decision to host the event at The Hook Experiment in Oxford felt right as many of those involved in the event are from Oxford, including Atkinson, Woods and some of the performers. 

Performers included the director of the show and Woods’ daughter, Rylynn Woods as well as Bevin Gorin, Lannon Fritts, Natasha Faison, Donna Gray, Anna Owens, Amanda Woolston, Judi Voorhees, Jamie DiMaio and Erin Smith. 

Gorin, who’s from North East, Md., shared that she wanted to participate in the event because of the greater purpose she felt the event represents. 

“It’s important to discuss women and women’s rights,” Gorin said. “It’s important to build community. America can make women feel so isolated so we need community.”

Owens, who is from Downingtown, shared that after high school she stopped singing for about 30 years before participating in a Street Lamp production earlier this year. Owens said that she is one year cancer-free after having lymphoma and joined the event because she wanted to do something for herself. 

Voorhees, a resident of Oxford, said that she also stopped singing for many years as motherhood took a primary role in her life. Now, as she turns 50 this year, she wants to reconnect with the activities she once loved in her youth. 

Gray said that she was excited for the event because of the significance of celebrating Women’s History Month and also because the event was taking place in Oxford. Gray, who has lived in Oxford her whole life, shared sentiments that were repeated by some of the other Oxfordians in attendance—they are all happy to see events like these come to town. Gray opened the cabaret by singing “Home” from The Wiz to reflect her appreciation to the community.

Each performer sang at least two songs throughout the two acts of the show, mainly focusing on musical theater. The songs were personal and meaningful to the performers. 

At the conclusion of the event, the performers and Atkinson took a bow on stage to a standing ovation from the crowd. Afterward, Atkinson expressed gratitude to the performers and everyone involved in making the event a success. 

“It’s been an amazing night bringing out the community to celebrate women in all walks of life,” Atkinson said. “I just feel like people have so many hidden talents, and I think we just need to provide opportunities and venues for people to showcase that.”