Power to the (Girl) People: Rha Goddess

THE ARTIST RHA GODDESS believes in empowering people — and be it by analyzing cultural taboos, shattering societal misconceptions or breaking down barriers, she's doing it. With an upcoming performance ("LOW: Meditations Trilogy Part 1") at the University of Maryland, the artist and playwright wants you in on the action, too.

"I think, in terms of the interactive dialogue of 'Who Got Next?', my hope is that people are looking very squarely at themselves: 'Where does this live in me?' 'What is my opportunity?' 'Where does my leadership potential lie in the midst of this?'" the Brooklyn-based performance and hip-hop artist said.

"And I think for people who walk out of 'Low,' it's also a conversation of empowerment as it relates to the issue: 'Where am I in relation to this issue?' 'Do I care?'"

"Low" is a 75-minute solo piece focused on the single character of Lowquesha, a young woman who journeys through the hardships of the mental health system.

"Young women really need to be posed to be the next wave of social, political and educational and environmental leadership; I think it's crucial they be invested, and I don't think it's something we're necessarily talking about, but we need to talk about," Goddess said.

"There are 30 million [18- to 25-year-old] women in this country, and that landscape is vast and diverse and incredible, and we're not talking to them unless we're selling lip gloss and blue jeans [and] Britney Spears' meltdowns. It's like, so what about that? Thirty million voices; does that count? I hope so!"

» Clarice Smith Center, UMd., College Park; through Fri., 8 p.m.; $7 for UMd. students, $35 for non-students. 301-405-2787. (College Park)

Written by Roxana Hadadi for Express
Photo courtesy of Clarice Smith Center