Choice Words -- 2004-2007

Choice Words -- 2004-2007

What We Do, and Where

Words of Choice first performed in 2000. Its first tour took place in spring 2004 in Virginia and Washington D.C., working in particular with Virginia NOW.

In fall 2004, two casts toured eight states, including Florida, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Missouri, Illinois, Maryland and New Jersey.

In 2005, performances traveled to Kansas, Missouri and Oklahoma, with a cast from St. Louis under the direction of Joan Lipkin.

In 2006, New York touring casts traveled to several states, including Iowa, Rhode Island, North Carolina, Connecticut, and, before a vote on an abortion ban, across the state of South Dakota.

In 2007. a DVD was released and, under distribution by the National Film Network, appeared in multiple locations from New York to Texas.

From 2004-2007, the live performances of Words of Choice included the works of a dozen writers. Those works are listed to the right.

In 2009, the script was published in "Frontlines: Political Plays by American Women," ed. Alexis Greene and Shirley Lauro, The New Press.

In 2009, Words of Choice began touring a second collection of works, known as Words of Choice II or Let Reproductive Freedom Ring.

New York Times, multimedia, 2006

Frontlines: Poltical Plays by American Women

Includes Words of Choice as performed 2004-2008.

Selections in Words of Choice (2003-2007)

She Said, in 1973 (excerpts) -- by Judith Arcana: A look at the women who come to Jane before Roe v. Wade

Roe v. Wade -- by Justice Harry Blackmun: the decision that decriminalized abortion.

Haunted House of Hell -- An anti-abortion venture takes a woman on a ride to hell.

Blessed -- by Alix Olson: a young woman finds power in her voice.

Approximating Mother (excerpts) -- by Kathleen Tolan: A pregnant teen wishes she could be adopted.

A Father's Story -- from an interview by Angela Bonavoglia: A father describes his feelings after his daughter is raped.

You're On Your Own -- by Michael David Quinn: An anti-abortion protestor raps his vision of life beyond the amniotic sac.

Taco Bell by The Onion: A narrator describes the wonders of a contraceptive burrito.

What I Said to Congress -- A woman learns of severe fetal damage in a wanted pregnancy during Jewish holidays.

Joey -- by Joan Lipkin: Boys will be boys, but what if boys had to be girls?

Remembering -- by Emilie M. Townes: Old wives tales from the South linger through the years in poetic memories.

SCHIPS on Their Shoulders -- by Cindy Cooper: Tommy Thompson explains the benefits of health insurance for fetuses.

Kathy, and Parallel Lives: Kathy Najimy, interviewed by Angela Bonavoglia, and onstage comic 'confessions' by Najimy and Mo Gaffney.

They Say: Gloria Feldt flips open the covers of an abstinence-only guide and reveals its true nature.

TRU LUV: When love is as disparate as a speck, as real as a stem cell.

To Hell and Back: Emily Lyons explains how she learned to speak out after a bombing.

My Good Friend Roe -- by Sherica White: A woman who shares a birthday toast with Roe v. Wade.

For further information - 212-560-2616

www.wordsofchoice.org

Words of Choice ~~ dynamic pro-choice theater~~ wordsofchoice@mindspring.com