My name is Ross Shenker and I’m a recent grad of the MFA (Performance) at the University of Louisville. I’m working on a project with Advocates for Youth, a DC based non-profit who partners with youth leaders, adult allies, and youth-serving organizations to advocate for policies and champion programs that recognize young people’s rights to honest sexual health information.
Our 1 in 3 Campaign wants to start new conversations about abortion using storytelling and theater. We believe that by sharing our stories we can destigmatize abortion care and create a culture where people can take a stand for abortion access. As part of this effort we’ve created a script called Out of Silence, a series of vignettes written by women+ DC playwrights exploring the different obstacles women and their partners navigate when faced with the possibility of abortion. Each scene is unique and diverse in its circumstances while all deal with the common experience of needing abortion care.
We are looking for interested groups, students, educators, and community members to perform these stories in their own communities, either as staged readings or full productions. Might this be something you are interested to learn more about?
Advocates for Youth can offer support up to $500 to offset production costs, as well as local press and outreach if that’s desired. I’m happy to answer any and all questions you may have. We’re asking that you do at least 3 of the vignettes or 2 with an original one of your own.
Here is a promo video from a past production: https://vimeo.com/143745029
If you yourself are interested in acting as lead producer on a reading or production, simply fill out this form:
I am attaching the script for your perusal.
Thanks for your time and attention,
Ross (r.ross@advocatesforyouth.org)
**Students: Please feel free to peruse the script, but do not share it with anyone outside of the department. Thank you!