ORCAS ISLAND, WA (MyBellinghamNow.com) – Once again, Woman in the Woods Productions has brought a group of first-rate performers to the Orcas Island community.

Michell Marshall, the founder of Woman in the Woods Productions, recruited Ladies of Hip Hop from New York City to perform The Black Dancing Bodies Project: Speak My Mind. The performance showcased the experiences and stories of seven Black women told through a mixture of narration and interpretive dance.

The show pulled the audience through an array of emotions. At times the performance felt playful and fun while at other times it was more intimate and thought-provoking.

By the end of the performance, every audience member was out of their seat and a standing ovation echoed throughout the Orcas Center venue.

“Michell is a force of nature on the island,” said Jake Perrine, Orcas Center artistic and technical director. “Her productions are consistently top caliber and always have a deep message. There’s a lot of nuance and activism in what she’s doing. It’s not simply entertainment and almost always brings you to tears.”

Perrine went on to share that he doesn’t see many of the island’s tourists diving into the art scene when they visit Orcas Island. However, the island has three performing arts venues, multiple film festivals, music festivals and much more.

Perrine and his colleague Jamey Moriarty, Orcas Center production technician, have worked closely with Marshall through the performing arts center. They have watched the steady growth of Woman in the Woods Productions and witnessed the way Marshall’s shows move an audience first-hand.

“It’s a great place to be an artist. It seems like every sound engineer across America ends up retiring to this island, we have top-tier sound design, and it is incredible,” Moriarty said.

Orcas Center and Woman in the Woods Productions will continue to bring unique acts to the island and encourage individuals off the island to come and experience the elaborate performances and art scene they have to offer. To attend future events visit orcascenter.org/events/ or womaninthewoodsproductions.org/events

Photos by Ellie Coberly 

A spray painted “Ladies of Hip Hop” promo on Orcas Island. Photographed by Ellie Coberly

The Orcas Center for performing arts. Photographed by Ellie Coberly

A shot of center stage at the Orcas Center. Photographed by Ellie Coberly

A behind the scenes look at one of the backstage rooms at the Orcas Center. Photographed by Ellie CoberlyFr

Front row seats at the Orcas Center. Photographed by Ellie Coberly

A close-up of the Oliver Groenewald and Steve Alboucq Quintet playing a pre-show performance in the Madrona Room. Photographed by Ellie Coberly

A full shot of the Oliver Groenewald and Steve Alboucq Quintet playing a pre-show performance in the Madrona Room. Photographed by Ellie Coberly

Attendees enjoy appetizers from The Kitchen catering and live music prior to the show. Photographed by Ellie Coberly

A close-up of Michell Marshall alongside her good friend Marsha Segault, taking in sounds and smile at the pre-show event. Photographed by Ellie Coberly

Daryl Lion McClean [left] and his son Kemie McClean [right] before the show begins. The two traveled from Lopez Island to see the performance. Photographed by Ellie Coberly

A live look at Ladies of Hip Hop “The Black Dancing Bodies Project: Speak My Mind.” Photographed by Ellie Coberly

A live look at Ladies of Hip Hop “The Black Dancing Bodies Project: Speak My Mind.” Photographed by Ellie Coberly

A live look at Ladies of Hip Hop “The Black Dancing Bodies Project: Speak My Mind.” Photographed by Ellie Coberly

A live look at Ladies of Hip Hop “The Black Dancing Bodies Project: Speak My Mind.” Photographed by Ellie Coberly

A live look at Ladies of Hip Hop “The Black Dancing Bodies Project: Speak My Mind.” Photographed by Ellie Coberly

A live look at Ladies of Hip Hop “The Black Dancing Bodies Project: Speak My Mind.” Photographed by Ellie Coberly

A live look at Ladies of Hip Hop “The Black Dancing Bodies Project: Speak My Mind.” Photographed by Ellie Coberly

A live look at Ladies of Hip Hop “The Black Dancing Bodies Project: Speak My Mind.” Photographed by Ellie Coberly

A live look at Ladies of Hip Hop “The Black Dancing Bodies Project: Speak My Mind.” Photographed by Ellie Coberly