The Troll
- Caitlyn Fox
- Apr 2
- 2 min read
From the moment the lights went down and the voice-over started, Rochée Jeffrey's The Troll hooked its audience and didn't let go. Jeffrey's excellent writing, timing, and audience interaction create the foundation for an engaging and vulnerable hour.
Jeffrey begins with a tight 10-minute stand-up that proves to be a fast hit with the audience before launching into her tale of Internet cruelty at the hands of comment trolls. What follows is an unraveling of trauma and beliefs held inside that have festered and grown, and Jeffrey vanquishes her literal and metaphorical trolls with ease and charm.
It is impossible not to smile and laugh, along with Jeffrey's quick wit and effortlessly cool energy. As she exclaims multiple times through the whole show, "[she] was made for Hollywood baby!", an entertainer to the highest degree. Jeffrey's hour-long show balances the light and dark subject material perfectly. She presents a game show juxtaposed with examples of racism and bullying from a young age through adulthood and sitcom mothers often used to distract from the difficult relationship with her own mother; Jeffrey finds a way to walk the line that creates tension while allowing the audience to laugh.
It feels basic to say that being an artist is hard, but it is a truth often left ignored—the industry, whether in New York, LA, or my hometown of Wichita, Kansas, has people who don't have your best interest at heart and want you to give up and dream small. Jeffrey speaks to the hardships and discrimination she has endured in Hollywood but also shares her successes and, more importantly, her belief in her abilities to succeed. Defeating her trolls in the comments and the trolls in her mind brings clarity that she deserves to be seen and heard in her most authentic form and to be reminded of the magic she carries within her. As an artist, a writer, and someone who has experienced bullying and felt the spark within myself diminish, Jeffrey's story hit a nerve with me, and I loved being able to laugh and cry through it.
Bringing laughter and heart to the United Solo stage, Rochée Jeffrey's The Troll stands out as a true highlight of the season.
Written and Performed by Rochée Jeffrey
Directored by Bente Engelstoft
March 29, 2025
March 18 through April 20, 2025
Theatre Row (410 West 42nd Street, NYC)
Caitlyn Fox (she/her/hers) is a Wichita-based actress, singer, writer, dancer, future clown, and all-around theatre enthusiast! She graduated from Friends University in December 2022 with University Honors and a Bachelor of Arts in Musical Theatre. From her nationally recognized senior recital to her international training at Accademia dell'Arte in Arezzo, Italy, Caitlyn always strives to bring a level of authenticity to her work both behind the table and on stage. She is very excited to be part of her first United Solo season as a Festival Representative and Reviewer. www.caitlynbfox.com
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