[1] Split Britches was founded by Peggy Shaw, Lois Weaver, and Deb Margolin in New York City in 1980.
[8] Split Britches has worked with concepts of lesbian, queer, dyke, butch and femme identities and cultures[1] in a context of American feminism and live arts movements which emerged through the 1970s.
In Split Britches: Lesbian Practice/Feminist Performance, critic and theorist Sue-Ellen Case describes the importance of the trio in the development of contemporary lesbian performance: "the troupe created a unique 'postmodern' style that served to embed feminist and lesbian issues of the times, economic debates, national agendas, personal relationships, and sex-radical role playing in spectacular and humorous deconstructions of canonical texts, vaudeville shtick, cabaret forms, lip-synching satire, lyrical love scenes, and dark, frightening explorations of class and gender violence.
Split Britches also examines the fetishization, objectification, and narcissistic misidentifications that cannot be separated from love, passion, and desire.
In a dissertation by Deanna Beth Shoemaker, Split Britches was said to use games, fantasies, songs, dance numbers, and monologues to address issues including female desire, power, and lesbian identity.
The characters in the performances play on gender and sexuality binaries, and explore issues of lesbian femme identity within and without the butch/femme dynamic.
[10] The company begin by exploring a personal obsession or frustration, like Tennessee Williams or Aileen Wuornos, which is often taken from popular culture.
[16] Weaver and Shaw always try to make reference to a comedy duo from the 1950s or 1960s, which is often Mike Nicols and Elaine May, due to their comedic structure and gender dynamics.
Specifically, the coproduction of Belle Reprieve by Split Britches and Bloolips, a group of gay drag performers.
2017: Innovative Theatre Achievement Award 2014: Hemispheric Institute of Performance Senior Fellowship, Lois Weaver and Peggy Shaw 1999: Obie, best performer Peggy Shaw for Menopausal Gentleman 1991: Obie, best ensemble, Split Britches and Bloolips, for Belle Reprieve 1988: Obie, best performer Peggy Shaw for Dress Suits to Hire 1985: The Villager Award for best ensemble Unexploded Ordnances (UXO), 2016-present RUFF, 2012–present[21] What Tammy Found Out, 2012–present Lost Lounge, 2009–2011 Miss America, 2008–2009 Retro-Perspective, 2007–present MUST, 2007–present Diary of a Domestic Terrorist, 2005 What Tammy Needs to Know, 2004 To My Chagrin, 2003 Miss Risque, 2001 It's a Small House and We Lived in It Always, 1999 Little Women, 1998 Little Women, The Tragedy, 1998 Salad of the Bad Cafe, 1998 Valley of the Dolls, 1997 Faith and Dancing, 1996 Menopausal Gentleman, 1996 Lust and Comfort, 1994 You're Just Like My Father, 1993 Lesbians Who Kill, 1992 Anniversary Waltz, 1990 Of All The Nerve, 1990 Belle Reprieve, 1990 Little Women, The Tragedy, 1988 Dress Suits for Hire, 1987 Patience and Sarah, 1987 Upwardly Mobile Home, 1984 Beauty and the Beast, 1982 Split Britches, The True Story, 1980