She’s Bad to the Bone.
Betty Brutus has decided to step off the LXTP stage this year, so we wanted to take a moment to celebrate her, and let her know that she’ll be onstage with us always.
Betty joined LatinX Theatre Project in 2018 and has helped build the company into what it is today. We are deeply grateful to the time she has devoted to helping create stories for our community. She has helped shape the project’s culture in amazing ways and we will miss her very much.
And of course we will most definitely be missing Betty’s words. We’ve included pieces of Betty’s work with LXTP over the years. Please enjoy as we have been since 2018.
Thank you, Betty!
Heroes & Monsters, 2020
MS. MAXWELL
I may look like your crazy aunt, or your doting nana, but looks are deceiving. I have been around a long time. I start out as simple as an abacus. Later, my mainframe starts out working slow, and taking up a whole room. And you know what? And if I get a virus, or a glitch, someone else will fix my problems; make me smaller, faster, and stronger and then reboot me. So don't mess with me baby, because I am bad to the bone.
LXTP Poets, 2020
La Casa Del Raza, Brightwater & Yeyo’s Collaboration, 2019
BETTY
Long day, finally home
The aroma of love as I open the door
(Child makes a farting sound)
What man or women can ask for more
My Children playing,
(Kids begin to fight over toy loudly)
I am greeted with a kiss
(Child air kisses)
Work day is worth it to come home to this bliss
(Kids screaming “MOM” over and over)
I'm in the freaking shower!
Taking a shower, removing the day
I think of my family and I begin to pray
I am thankful, Lord, for food for us to eat
(Someone from off: “Honey, I burnt the meat… Eh, l'll cover it with bbq sauce. It will be fine!”)
And thank you for the sauce on the meat
A beautiful home is my delight
(To the kids) Clean up your freaking room!
And it is nice to have children
That get along and don't fight
(They start fighting again loudly over who made the mess)
So what more can I say?
That is why I can't wait for the end of the day
Scratch That, 2018
Character: ARIONNA, Written, Performed and Sung by Betty Brutus
WORKING EVERY DAY, TRYING TO PAY THE RENT
BEFORE I GET MY CHECKS, THE MONEY IS SPENT
TRY TO DO MY BEST, KEEP THE ROOF OVER OUR HEAD
WORKING SO HARD JUST TO BE FED
EVERY DAY’S A CHALLENGE WHEN YOU’RE WORKING 9 TO 5
EVERY DAY’S A CHALLENGE FOR US JUST TO SURVIVE
YOU WORK SO HARD TO MAKE ENDS MEET
AT THE END OF THE DAY YOU’RE DEAD ON YOUR FEET
YOU WANT TO EARN MORE
THERE ARE BILLS TO PAY
BUT THERE’S NOT ENOUGH HOURS IN THE DAY
EVERY DAY’S A CHALLENGE WHEN YOU’RE WORKING 9 TO 5
EVERY DAY’S A CHALLENGE FOR US JUST TO SURVIVE
EVERY DAY’S A CHALLENGE FOR US JUST TO SURVIVE
I HOPE AND PRAY IT WON’T ALWAYS STAY THIS WAY
Blanket Statements, 2018
BETTY (As Self)
Child taken from parent
The evil of separation
What have we become, have our hearts turned to stone?
How would you feel in that situation?
Is the color of skin a cause of discrimination?
When does wanting a better life become a crime?
We all have immigrants in our family line.
Melt the ICE, Remove the stone.
We are all one on the earth, we don't travel alone.
It’s so sad, all people feel.
It doesn't have to be kill or be killed.
Share our resources, share our love, share our hearts, share our borders.