Play Sparks Global Movement to Improve Maternity Care Using a Theatre-for-Social-Change Model; Local Communities Organize Worldwide
The story of eight women, Birth delivers a theatrical experience that melds the unbridled hilarity, the unexpected poignancy, and the tragic truth about power in maternity care. With first-person monologues, some dialogue, and the voices these women heard when they gave birth, the play confronts "The naked truth about childbirth in America." Birth will be presented on Labor Day weekend and throughout the month of September, locally and around the world, to benefit mother-friendly maternity care.
Seattle, WA, August 21, 2007 --(PR.com)-- What do mothers want? What do mothers deserve? These and other tough questions are explored in Birth– the Vagina Monologues of childbirth. Throughout September, more than 100 benefit performances of the critically acclaimed play by Karen Brody, Birth, will take center stage as part of Birth On Labor Day (BOLD), a global movement to make maternity care mother-friendly.
In Seattle, Everett, Tacoma, Vashon and Edmonds, a BOLD group of local actors will, present 10 public performances of Birth beginning August 31st and throughout the month of September. Puget Sound BOLD is made possible through the generous support of Seattle Midwifery School and Baby Diaper Service, as well as other local businesses and individuals. Proceeds will benefit Open Arms Perinatal Services, Puget Sound Neighborhood Health Centers, Seattle Midwifery School, Tacoma Labor Companions, the Tibetan Healing Fund and Pregnant in Puget Sound. An open talkback session will directly follow each performance.
Similar to The Vagina Monologues’ success around the world in raising awareness of violence against women, BOLD performances of Brody’s play have more than doubled in number since last year and are being performed in communities around the world as part of a movement to improve birthing options and safety for mothers. In 2006, BOLD’s first year, performances of Birth raised over $10,000. This year BOLD expects that number to more than triple.
Created by mother, BOLD founder, and playwright Karen Brody, Birth has been called “the naked truth about childbirth” by City Lights Theatre Company in San Jose, California. The story of eight women, Birth delivers a theatrical experience that melds the unbridled hilarity, the unexpected poignancy, and the tragic truth about power in maternity care today.
The cast represents the birthing spectrum from liberal, “My body rocks!”-bleating Amanda to strong-willed, no-nonsense Vanessa to career-driven Beth, violated Natalie and even angry, somewhat deflated Lisa. But at the cornerstone of each story lies personal choice. And Janet’s epidural, Jillian’s home birth, and Sandy’s cesarean section are all on display without judgment.
More than 30 cities have embraced the play as part of BOLD’s mission to make maternity care mother-friendly. Beginning Labor Day weekend and throughout the month of September, Birth will be performed in cities around the world including Amsterdam, Boston, Chicago, Houston, Maui, Ontario, San Diego and Seattle. Proceeds will benefit local, national and international charities working to improve maternity care.
“Maternity care today simply isn’t mother-friendly,” Brody says. “In many communities, pregnant mothers are faced with few options that support low or no-intervention birth choices; in other communities, women feel they went with the standard medical care and were treated poorly. BOLD encourages all people attending performances to learn the truth about childbirth, understand where power lurks in their maternity care system and make informed birth choices.”
Brody adds, “Can a play improve maternity care? It not only can—it is.”
It’s time to start changing maternity care so it works for mothers. BOLD is leading the way.
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Puget Sound area performances and venues:
8/31 – Gala Opening Night (with Penny Simkin), Edmonds Center for the Arts
9/7, 8, 9 - Seattle Public Theatre at the Bathhouse, Green Lake
9/15 - Historic Everett Theatre
9/ 21 - Rainier Valley Cultural Arts Center, Columbia City
9/22 - Youngstown Cultural Arts Center, West Seattle
9/28 - Vashon Island High School Theatre
9/29 - Theatre On the Square, Tacoma
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In Seattle, Everett, Tacoma, Vashon and Edmonds, a BOLD group of local actors will, present 10 public performances of Birth beginning August 31st and throughout the month of September. Puget Sound BOLD is made possible through the generous support of Seattle Midwifery School and Baby Diaper Service, as well as other local businesses and individuals. Proceeds will benefit Open Arms Perinatal Services, Puget Sound Neighborhood Health Centers, Seattle Midwifery School, Tacoma Labor Companions, the Tibetan Healing Fund and Pregnant in Puget Sound. An open talkback session will directly follow each performance.
Similar to The Vagina Monologues’ success around the world in raising awareness of violence against women, BOLD performances of Brody’s play have more than doubled in number since last year and are being performed in communities around the world as part of a movement to improve birthing options and safety for mothers. In 2006, BOLD’s first year, performances of Birth raised over $10,000. This year BOLD expects that number to more than triple.
Created by mother, BOLD founder, and playwright Karen Brody, Birth has been called “the naked truth about childbirth” by City Lights Theatre Company in San Jose, California. The story of eight women, Birth delivers a theatrical experience that melds the unbridled hilarity, the unexpected poignancy, and the tragic truth about power in maternity care today.
The cast represents the birthing spectrum from liberal, “My body rocks!”-bleating Amanda to strong-willed, no-nonsense Vanessa to career-driven Beth, violated Natalie and even angry, somewhat deflated Lisa. But at the cornerstone of each story lies personal choice. And Janet’s epidural, Jillian’s home birth, and Sandy’s cesarean section are all on display without judgment.
More than 30 cities have embraced the play as part of BOLD’s mission to make maternity care mother-friendly. Beginning Labor Day weekend and throughout the month of September, Birth will be performed in cities around the world including Amsterdam, Boston, Chicago, Houston, Maui, Ontario, San Diego and Seattle. Proceeds will benefit local, national and international charities working to improve maternity care.
“Maternity care today simply isn’t mother-friendly,” Brody says. “In many communities, pregnant mothers are faced with few options that support low or no-intervention birth choices; in other communities, women feel they went with the standard medical care and were treated poorly. BOLD encourages all people attending performances to learn the truth about childbirth, understand where power lurks in their maternity care system and make informed birth choices.”
Brody adds, “Can a play improve maternity care? It not only can—it is.”
It’s time to start changing maternity care so it works for mothers. BOLD is leading the way.
---------
Puget Sound area performances and venues:
8/31 – Gala Opening Night (with Penny Simkin), Edmonds Center for the Arts
9/7, 8, 9 - Seattle Public Theatre at the Bathhouse, Green Lake
9/15 - Historic Everett Theatre
9/ 21 - Rainier Valley Cultural Arts Center, Columbia City
9/22 - Youngstown Cultural Arts Center, West Seattle
9/28 - Vashon Island High School Theatre
9/29 - Theatre On the Square, Tacoma
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Contact
Pregnant in Puget Sound
Lynn Hughes
206.915.7723
www.pregnantinpugetsound.org
info@boldinseattle.com
Lynn Hughes
206.915.7723
www.pregnantinpugetsound.org
info@boldinseattle.com
Contact
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