Review: ‘They Tend to Themselves: A Choreopoem’ at Hollywood Fringe Festival 2026
- Dondre Tuck
- 9 hours ago
- 2 min read
Part of this year’s Hollywood Fringe Festival, “They Tend to Themselves: A Choreopoem” follows solo performer Gabrielle Jackson as she explores self-love, healing, ancestry and what it means to care for yourself in a world that can often make that difficult. Through poetry, movement, sound and reflection, Jackson creates a thoughtful and intimate performance that leaves the audience considering their own relationship with healing and self-care.
Jackson’s performance is powerful, grounded, and graceful. She delivers a captivating show through her words, movement and pacing, creating a piece that feels both personal and reflective. Her poetic delivery lingers long after the show ends and leaves you thinking about what it truly means to tend to yourself.
As an African American in this country, it can be tempting to fall into anger, exhaustion or isolation when reflecting on how our people and communities are treated. Jackson does not ignore that reality, but instead shifts the focus toward self-love, healing, and the act of caring for yourself as a form of survival.
The direction feels intentional throughout as Jackson uses movement, stillness and audience participation to keep the piece intimate and engaging. The pacing allows each moment to breathe without losing momentum, and the use of the mirrors helps guide the emotional journey of the performance.
The show takes place in a black-box theater at the Los Angeles LGBT Center, with three rectangular two-way mirrors framed in black wood and mounted on caster wheels. The simplicity of the set works in the production’s favor, allowing the mirrors to become one of the strongest and most memorable visual elements of the piece. Jackson uses the mirrors to connect with her ancestors and, ultimately, reconnect with herself. The mirror move, keeping the staging visually interesting.
Sound also adds to the experience, especially heavy breathing at the beginning and a moment when the audience is asked to hum. Despite the technical issues, that moment still felt priceless. It created a strong sense of connection between Jackson and the audience, making the piece feel even more intimate and alive.
“They Tend to Themselves: A Choreopoem” is a thoughtful, intimate, and visually engaging performance led by a powerful Gabrielle Jackson. Through poetry, movement, mirrors, sound and audience connection, Jackson has created a piece centered on self-love, healing and reconnection. It is a meaningful production and one worth seeing during this year’s Festival.
For tickets to this and other Hollywood Fringe Festival shows, visit HollywoodFringe.org.
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