Artist, Writer and Performer
Do you want to experience the liberating power of radical self-reflection?
As a solo performance artist I “tell on myself” with compassion, humor, and wisdom, revealing human vulnerabilities to grow connection and compassion (empathy) between us. I model this approach — revealing the underbelly like extending an open hand — by willingly looking at my own faults, mistakes, and shortcomings. I’m willing to share what I discover – the humor, the pain, the banal, and the bright. By modeling this, I invite others to do the same, first to themselves and then perhaps with the rest of us. I started this work to overcome an inhibition about public speaking and discovered that by sharing the very thing I fear, I actually became closer to people and wasn’t shunned, as I feared I would be. This kind of radical self-reflection creates bridges rather than barriers based on old beliefs. In 2019, I performed my first full length show, “Borderline,” throughout the United States, Canada, and Ireland. My new show, “No Wonder,” is an inquiry into my sexual identity and evolution and is currently being produced as a webisode series to be released in 2021.
Current Shows
No Wonder
Performed by Julie Gieseke
Written in collaboration with Nina Wise
Directed by Nina Wise
Julie is a gold star lesbian (meaning she's never had sex with a man) but at 53, she wants to have sex with a man. At least she thinks she does. She hires a male sex surrogate. The piece, a comedy/drama/inquiry, questions the sexual boundaries we create which may not serve our deepest longings, the identities that shift, and the courage required to follow our desire.
BORDERLINE A**HOLE
Performed by Julie Gieseke
Written in collaboration with Nina Wise
Directed by Nina Wise
Developed with Martha Rynberg, Tanya Taylor Rubinstein and Ann Randolph
Relationships can be so triggering . . .
After years of chasing unavailable women, Julie may have found her ideal girlfriend. She isn't afraid to break all the rules, prefers to make art rather than watch Netflix on the couch and thinks Julie's a creative genius. Best of all, she’s really into Julie. The only trouble is they can’t agree on one thing — that Julie is the problem.
Reviews
Read reviews from New York
Read reviews from Dublin
Venues
San Francisco Playground Theater’s Solo Performance Festival | 01.25.18–02.09.19
New York Frigid Festival | 02.22.19–03.06.19
Dublin Gay Theatre Festival | 05.03.2019–05.16.19
Cincinnati Fringe Festival | 05.31.19–06.11.19
Vancouver Fringe Festival | 09.05.19–09.15.19
United Solo Performance Festival in New York | 10.03.19
Past Work
Writings and Drawings
Julie’s drawings and zines have been chosen for the 2020 SF Zinefest!
See more on instagram: @mapthemind and @juliegiesekesoloperformer
“Gieseke’s performance is authentic, tender, and amusingly smart. Borderline A**hole is a relatable story about love and loss.”
“Julie Gieseke is an American storyteller of charm, insight, wit and wisdom … her observational skills are razor sharp.”
“Gieseke could make an audience feel that no matter how large the space is, it is almost conspiratorial — like you are being let in on a secret.”
“Borderline A**hole … is a thoroughly enjoyable work that is impressively both personal and universal.”