[BATA] Roe v Wade Anniversary Play

[Mary]

***PLEASE FOWARD/POST WIDELY***

Planned Parenthood Golden Gate is looking for nine women and two men 
to perform in a production of a play about "Jane", the underground 
abortion collective that operated in the 1960's and early 1970's in 
Chicago. This is a great opportunity to help raise awareness about how 
powerful it can be when women organize and take control of their 
bodies and destinies. 

We will be producing the play for one night only, January 22nd, which 
is the 32nd Anniversary of Roe v. Wade, the landmark Supreme Court 
decision that legalized abortion in America. 

We are looking for performers who are: 

*pro-choice and proud of it 
*have experience working on a tight schedule 
*can volunteer at least 5 hours per week from now until January 22nd 

If you are interested, please respond to paintern@ppgg.org with: 

1. Your contact information 
2. Why you are interested in this play 
3. The name and contact information of at least one person who has 
worked on a play with you 

The deadline to apply is December 10th. Thanks for your interest! For 
more information on the play, please visit www.paulakamen.com 

 
AVAILABLE ROLES: 
We need  five women as the leads, four women for supporting roles, one 
young man, and one older man. 

MAIN CHARACTERS:

HEATHER (TOBIS) BOOTH:  20 years old at time of first referral. The 
founder of Jane (or “The Service,” as the members call it). Naturally 
idealistic, acts on her own principles, not others’ doctrine. She has 
always embraced the basic organizing principles of the early '60s 
student movement: to make the country more democratic and live up to 
its ideals, build coalitions, and organize in communities. She is 
trying to fight her “bourgeois” Long Island accent. 

JODY: Late 20s. Takes over the lead role after HEATHER leaves the 
group and is termed the “papa” of the organization. A naturally 
charismatic leader. Often seems gruff, but has a very open and warm 
heart. She is very hardworking, intense, street-wise and competent. 
Preferring action to words, she naturally is the bravest member, who 
deals with the police and does the first direct surgical abortion 
(D&C). 

JUDITH: Late 20s. Very intense. Her manner is very sensual, as if she 
is always aware of her body and sexuality. Unusually articulate, she 
speaks with a blend of intelligence and inner passion. Her views are 
so strong that when she speaks, she states her opinions as if they 
were proven facts. She also may also seem harsh at times because she 
will always speak her mind and isn't afraid to offend anyone and be 
abrasive. 

ROSE: Thirty years old in 1968. She had a traumatic illegal abortion 
when she was 23. She is like a grandma, with a more easygoing and 
friendly personality. But, her inner strength and authority also come 
through, making her a figure that isn't easily crossed. While she is 
just as radical and feminist as the others, she has a strong 
traditional streak of being part of a nuclear family and supporting 
her husband. 

RUTH: Late twenties. A former social worker, she is always trying to 
mediate and be sensitive to the feelings of others. Very warm, but yet 
has a definite edge.  Through the play, she recognizes strength she 
always had and becomes more assertive and demanding. She plays 
the “mama” as someone who is counterpart to “papa” Jody's rough edges -
- and takes a major leadership role. 





SECONDARY:	(to be played by ensemble cast)

CRYSTAL:  Secretary at law firm. Black, from West Side of Chicago, 
about 38 years old.  

MICKI:   In late teens and early 20s. Very much into excitement of 
counterculture and “scene” of period, but is always in the background. 
Involved doing legal work on Chicago Conspiracy Trial and often 
indulges in pot and LSD. Not knowing if she’ll survive these turbulent 
years, she lives in the moment, allowing the use of her apartment for 
the abortions.

REV. E. SPENCER PARSONS: Serious but very warm man in his fifties. 
Very strong-willed. Appears easygoing but is intense. Highly 
idealistic, brave and committed to women's rights. He is part of the 
nationwide Clergy Consultation Service on Abortion, ministers and 
rabbis willing to help women find safe abortions when abortion was 
still illegal. 

SUNNY: A feminist activist and artist in late teens. She is scarred 
from her rough upbringing in a small Illinois town. As a teen, she 
goes to court to free herself from the custody of her alcoholic 
father. She is bright, physically attractive, thin, and somewhat 
pallid. On and off of drugs, she lacks the strength to cope with life 
although she has always been forced to be independent. Her memories of 
her past are clouded by drug use.

DR. C: The classic operator. From a very poor background, he aspires 
to something greater in his life. While he struggles to keep secrecy 
and control, he slowly learns to trust and depend on Jane members.

LORY: An 1 8-year old hippie from a low-income Chicago family who has 
struggled for years to gain control of her life financially. She is 
strong enough to seek help from the Service, but is plagued by 
ambivalence.

STEVE: Students for a Democratic Society member, University of 
Chicago. Asks for first abortion referral from Heather.

NICK: SDS leader.