Hold Me Down

A funny, heartfelt, poignant dive in what it's like to grow up as a queer kinkster while reconciling intergenerational Asian American trauma. ... full review

This show is beautifully raw and vulnerable. Jackie is so open and playful and honest in her portrayal, and incredibly brave and generous to share so much of her personal journey with us. Bravo! ... full review

I came into this show with no idea of what to expect, and I'm so glad I did! It was a performance you really needed to see live, which to me is what theater is all about. It was the last Fringe show I saw, and I'm so happy I saved it for the end. Jly encompassed the spirit of the festival, both on and off the stage. ... full review

My overall impression is that it felt raw, honest, and true what Jackie envisioned. It touched in me in ways where I can relate to where she's coming from as someone who's raised by Asian parents too. ... full review

Jackie pulls off some incredible storytelling feats in just 60 minutes of runtime. In her one-woman-musical, she manages to capture such a breadth of powerful life experiences that weave together into one, cohesive story. She achieves a masterful balance of light-hearted playfulness, gut-wrenching anguish, and radical compassion for both herself and the imperfect relationships she has with those who impacted her life most deeply. Most importantly for us as the audience, Jackie found a way to tell this story in a way that hits home and makes this message real for us, giving everyone something different they can take with them. She communicates layers of nuance through a multitude of creative expressions: standup comedy, audience participa... full review

Jackie is an incredible performer, with a show that perfectly balances heart, humor, and consensual kinky fun. I loved all of the different characters she played, from her alter-ego Ava June to her mother, and of course playing herself. Jackie has a genuine nature and soft tenderness that makes you care deeply about her story. And a fantastic singing voice! I loved her original music that really tied together the story, in moments where spoken words just weren't enough. I think this is a show everyone should see - it gives insight into the BDSM world about care and enthusiastic consent that I think everyone should know about! I loved learning more about her through this show. Brava, Jackie!!!... full review

HOLD ME DOWN is a wonderful, poignant, and yes - playful! - solo show that captures the nuance, and delicate intersection, of both pain and pleasure, especially for anyone who is mixed and comes from an immigrant family. Vulnerable, yet sweetly serious, HOLD ME DOWN captures Jackie's immensely fascinating journey into rope bondage and how it has both tangled and untangled her mental health struggles. Her immense desire to be held and hold is felt by the audience throughout the piece. Be sure to catch it!... full review

Jackie brings an honest, playful, and at times self-deprecating history to life in this one-woman musical. Intimately personal, "Hold Me Down" examines trauma in its many forms and sees a young woman face it with vulnerability and humor-in-hindsight. The show's catchy tunes showcase her writing and vocal prowess, while her interaction with the audience and set design creates an intimate and relatable space for everyone. She invites us to learn, as she has, what the role BDSM and kink can play in our lives. As the sole star, Jackie moves seamlessly from one character to another, creating a distinct voice for each that carries us through the story. There are splashes of comedy. There is risk-taking in the exploration of kink. And there a... full review

This autobiographical solo show features well-crafted characters, a clever DIY ropes set, thoughtfully made costumes, and a delightful sense of humor. HOLD ME DOWN is Fringe at its core — human beings telling their story with heart and gusto for an enthusiastic audience of community.... full review

A thoughtful integration of reconciliation, fear, and the yearn to control the meandering tributaries of chaos within one's life. Jackie tangles a web of alternate personalities striving to integrate themselves through the metaphor of bondage, domination, and submission. We see her playing different roles that explores the depths of her psyche as she seeks to find a common ground where one can feel safe, loved, and most of all, understood. This show is not for the faint of heart due to the nature of triage she employs, trying to nurse multiple wounds while simultaneously warding off the demons which have followed her current and past lineage, however, if one can make it through the initial fear and discomfort, there is a graceful dance o... full review