Femininity and Power

Something really struck me today in class while we were watching the video about Jennifer Miller. She had said that her circus was full of women performing strong female roles. The very next shot in the video was of a female performer in a traditionally male costume. She had a short haircut and was even putting on a deep voice. I don't understand this. I've seen a few sketches from the lesbian performance group Split Britches, and one of their main performers--Peggy Shaw-- uses similar tactics. The idea is that it gives a woman power by allowing her to take on male characteristics. To me, it has the exact opposite effect. How does pretending to be a man give a woman power? The way I see it, this type of action only facilitates the outdated view that a woman can't have her own power. The woman has to dress as a man in order to be seen and heard. I believe that the duality of maintaining power AND femininity is a much stronger statement.

P.S. Here is the Split Britches video. The entire program is an hour and a half long, but you'll get the idea after just a few minutes. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4lT-Fb-LElk&feature=results_main&playnext=1&list=PL32AFBE47B370FE74