10-3-08

Media Release

Documentary-style Play ‘Birth’ Opens at OSU

CORVALLIS, Ore. – The critically-acclaimed play “Birth” opens Oct. 9 at Oregon State University. “Birth” tells the birth stories of eight women, painting an alarming picture of how low-risk, educated mothers are giving birth today. Hailed as “The Vagina Monologues for birth” by women’s health expert Christiane Northrup, performances of the play are used to raise awareness and money for childbirth choices.

“Birth” was written by Karen Brody, the founder of BOLD, a global movement to create childbirth choices that work for mothers. It brings together artists, community groups and childbirth leaders via performance events that highlight issues around choice in childbirth.

The play will be performed at Oregon State Oct. 9-11 beginning at 7:30 p.m. and on Oct. 12 at 2 p.m. Performances will be held at the Withycombe Hall Lab Theater located on the OSU campus, 30th and Campus Way, Corvallis.

Tickets can be purchased at the door and are $8, $6 for seniors, $5 for youth, and $4 for OSU students.

The play is directed by Kimberly Gifford and featured in the production are Trischa Goodnow, Lara Lee-Reavis, Tanya Andersson, Nikki Evans, Shelly Moon, Casey Woodworth, Wendy Peterman, Jeanette Small, Craig Olbrich, and David Reavis. The play is supported by OSU University Theatre, OSU Women Studies, OSU Department of Anthropology, OSU’s Difference, Power & Discrimination Program, OSU’s Center for the Humanities, and a L.L. Stewart Grant.

A panel discussion will be held after the performances and include a variety of maternity care providers from the community speaking to the options and resources available locally.

“Through BOLD we have seen how art can influence change,” Brody said. Bold was founded in 2006 to raise awareness of choices in childbirth. The play and feedback from the performances are part of its efforts.

This play contains strong language and adult situations.