What happens when someone seeks an abortion and is turned away, compared to someone who has access? The Turnaway Play addresses this question through the experiences of women who participated in the Turnaway Study, an investigation that recruited roughly 1,000 women across 30 facilities in the U.S. between 2008 and 2010. Written by Lesley Lisa Greene, the approximately 70-minute play combines research, real stories, drama, humor and audience participation.
Led by Dr. Diana Greene Foster, the Turnaway Study followed women who sought abortions across the country and compared the experiences of women who received abortions with those who were denied them. The study took into account their health, finances, relationships and family lives over a period of time. Her research revealed that being denied a wanted abortion was associated with worse financial, health and family outcomes.
Foster’s sister, playwright Lesley Lisa Greene, drew on the words and experiences of study participants and researchers to create The Turnaway Play. The characters give audiences a way to encounter the people behind the findings and talk about a subject that is all too often avoided.
For co-directors Dr. Mark Buckholz and Deborah Brothers, both experienced directors with either central Illinois venues or Lincoln Land Community College, respectively, a story based on historical facts, real people and lesser-told stories strikes a chord.
For Brothers, the melding of art and social activism has always held meaning in her life.
“I love theater that is based upon history or interviews, and especially theater that lets us hear stories not typically represented,” she said, noting that The Turnaway Play reminds her of her many years staging Eve Ensler’s The Vagina Monologues at LLCC.
“Each show was created from real data-statistics, interviews and the legal conditions impacting women’s daily lives. While players certainly bring a range of emotions and literary interpretation to the script, they never forget – and the audience should never forget – that this show is based on facts and reality, i.e., the lives of real people,” Brothers said.
Buckholz and his wife met the play’s producer, Pamela Salela, and through their casual conversations, discovered a like-mindedness which inspired them to help bring the story to a local audience.
“Our production is part of a national effort to stage the play and get its message out to a broad public in numerous communities,” he said.
He also felt that with the current political and social climate, it was important to tell this story.
“Various interests are advocating policies that appear to undo women’s and civil rights. Facts and arguments supporting personal freedom – and particularly women’s health and bodily autonomy – need to better circulate.” he said. “Solid data helps citizens arrive at intelligent beliefs about complex issues like abortion.”
The production will feature the following participants: As the researchers, Tina Dye as Dr. Foster, Elisa Oreliana as Luisa, Tomisin Fijabi as Serena, and Phoebe Meyer as Rhonda. Portraying the women of the study are Kat Beeler as Brenda, Love Billops as Sofia, Abigail Bussey as Kiara, Eden Lyons as Martina, Amber Maier as Amy and Janette Stewart as Angela.
The Springfield Area Arts Council is a co-producer of the production and executive director Bella Szabo said the SAAC appreciates the opportunity to be a part of a project that will make audiences think, reflect and share their thoughts.
“We are excited and proud to collaborate with an independent theater group to bring this nationally acclaimed play to Springfield,” Szabo said. “Strong arts communities are built through partnerships that bring together organizations, artists and community members with different skills, experiences and perspectives. These collaborations expand what is possible and create opportunities for meaningful work to take place in our community.”
From The Turnway Play website: “Through humor, honesty and candid stories from the study participants, this play aims to reduce stigma, normalize, humanize and open a dialogue that affects over half of the population. We hope this play helps activate communities to vote to expand and protect reproductive rights. Science tells a tale, and it’s time to listen.” The staged readings will be performed at 7 p.m. on Oct.9-11 at First Presbyterian Church, 321 S. Seventh St., Springfield. A panel discussion will follow the Saturday, Oct. 10, reading. Tickets are $5.
*Audience advisory: The play contains some explicit language and discusses mature, complex subject matter. A psychologist will be on site during performances.
