THE PLAY

CONTROL TOP features an ensemble of five women who reflect on their lifetime experiences with clothing. In funny and poignant conversations, they reveal what lies beneath the very fabric of their lives. 

From lack of pockets to varying opinions on pantyhose ~ gendered T-shirts ~ dress codes ~ not-so-miracle bathing suits and training bras (and what exactly is being trained?), the women share, empathize, and strategize how to move forward.

CONTROL TOP was inspired by Abby Wambach’s quote, “Wear what you want. Love who you love. Become what you imagine.” Vasta Folley says, “Wambach’s words are a rousing declaration and an invocation to recognize control - both blatant and hidden, ” adding, “How else to ‘wear what you want’ than to first understand what you wore and why?”  

Written by Vermont playwright Carole Vasta Folley with support from the Vermont Arts Council, the Vermont Community Foundation, and the National Endowment for the Arts, CONTROL TOP’s mission was to examine the impact of gendered clothing on women. The playwright began with interviewing women to hear their personal stories of what they wear and why. 

“Lucky for me, the women I talked to were more than generous, willing to take the time to share their experiences with clothes,” notes Vasta Folley. “Some of what they shared was triumphant, others were heartbreaking, and many were hilarious. It was as if we were in a dressing room together lamenting over fit, size discrepancies, lack of pockets, and the brutality of three-way mirrors. Ultimately, every one I talked with was affected by the capriciousness and consumerism of a fashion industry that thrives on judgment of women’s bodies. All of us were raised to feel as if we should be smaller.”

CONTROL TOP aligns with the playwright’s mission to tell meaningful stories about women who have lived long and interesting lives. Her work, which plays to sold-out audiences, often tackles challenging issues like loss and abuse. But whether exploring these heavy topics or how clothing impacts women in our society, Vasta Folley always brings a side of comedy.

“Humor is the balm to the tough stuff in life,” she says, adding, “And CONTROL TOP is funny—after all, I can’t be the only one who finds humor in shapewear, jeggings, and shawls, oh my!”

“Humor is the balm to the tough stuff in life,” she says, adding, “And CONTROL TOP is funny—after all, I can’t be the only one who finds humor in pantyhose, jeggings, and shawls, oh my!