The Studio Theatre
Advocates for Youth’s 1 in 3 Campaign launches groundbreaking play to de-stigmatize abortion by encouraging women to break their silence and share personal stories. The 1 in 3 campaign originated from the statistic that one in three women will have an abortion in their lifetime, most of which will be judged, shamed, and literally, ‘pushed into silence.’ Based on this staggering number, Advocates for Youth has collected hundreds of women’s stories and has brought them to life through Out of Silence, a series of vignettes inspired by real life experiences with abortion.
On January 20, 2015, The District’s Studio Theater will welcome playwrights, authors, feminists, theater enthusiasts and every day women to delve into this insightful production. Composed of 14 scenes from 10 different female playwrights with one sole mission: to raise awareness around a taboo topic, encouraging women to speak out about their experiences instead of hiding from them. With a renowned team including playwright Jacqueline E. Lawton and director Marie Byrd Sproul at the helm of the production; attendees can be sure that Out of Silence will be an enlightening and thought-provoking piece.
The full production will be prefaced by a press reading in NYC on January 7 to garner excitement for the premiere on January 20. “We want this to be a nation-wide phenomenon, allowing women from all over the country to realize that they do not have to feel shame around this issue,” states Rachel Cooke, Communications Director for Advocates for Youth. “Out of Silence will be the spark that ignited a fire and brings an openness to this conversation, empowering women everywhere.”
Following the production co-producer Jacqueline E. Lawton, actress Anu Yadav, and playwright Nicole Jost will host a panel to discussion and open Q&A based on the production and the organization’s mission. Similar to the riveting Vagina Monologues, Out of Silence will delve into the difficult situations and emotions that surround abortions— from multiple point of views. The play and campaign itself has been a collaboration of various female leaders in the arts, political, and nonprofit arena — pulling together to speak for those who have been silenced. Rounding out the creative team are dramaturges Hannah Hessel Ratner and Laura Esti Miller, playwrights Allison Currin, DW Gregory, Caleen Jennings, Nicole Jost, Kristen LePine, Soo-Jin Lee, Danielle Mohlman, Mary Resing, Noelle Viñas, and Anu Yadav and actors Lolita-Marie, Patricia Dugueye, Amal Saade and Jennifer Speerstra. “Bringing this production to the stage has been an insightful experience both personally and professionally,” says Director Marie Byrd Sproul. “These stories need to be heard, they need to be brought out for all of us to listen to and respect.”
Tickets: $10 - $1,000, http://bpt.me/1013137
About the 1 in 3 Campaign
The 1 in 3 Campaign, a project of Advocates for Youth, is a grassroots movement aimed to ignite new conversation about abortion, through storytelling, to end the stigma around abortion care in America. Its mission: to ensure that abortion remains safe, legal, and affordable. For more information, please visit: www.1in3campaign.org.
About Advocates for Youth
Advocates for Youth champions efforts to help young people make informed and responsible decisions about their reproductive and sexual health. Advocates believes it can best serve the field by boldly advocating for a more positive and realistic approach to adolescent sexual health. For more information, please visit: www.advocatesforyouth.org.