The Turnaway Play

HARTBEAT ENSEMBLE

presents a reading of

The Turnaway Play

by Lesley Greene

Directed by Zoë Golub-Sass 

Performed by Martha Lorena Preve, Debra Walsh Cassie Worthman, Caitlin Zoz

The Turnaway Play weaves together scientific findings with an exploration of the human experience of unwanted pregnancy. It reveals how the laws governing reproductive rights affect the lives of women when they can choose to have an abortion – and the series of ramifications when the choice is no longer theirs. The play centers on The Turnaway Study, a landmark UCSF ten-year study of the consequences of receiving versus being denied a wanted abortion, and includes real women from the study. With honesty and humor, it reaches beyond our polarizing political conversation to look deeply at one of the most important issues of our time. 

This reading follows a workshop of the play at HartBeat Ensemble. The playwright hopes that the next step for the play will be readings and productions across the country to mark the 50th anniversary of Roe v. Wade and raise money for abortion funds and advocacy work. For more information about the play or to arrange a reading, visit https://www.lesleylisagreene.com/the-turnaway-play.

About the book/study

“The Turnaway Study demonstrates the power of narrative in illuminating why women seek abortions. We have a responsibility to safeguard reproductive rights for women everywhere–and for future generations. In this book, statistics and stories meet to reveal the consequences of denying women this service as well as what happens when they receive it. It's an essential read.” —Isabel Allende

“Dr. Foster brings what is too often missing from the public debate around abortion: science, data, and the real-life experiences of people from diverse backgrounds. This should be required reading for every judge, member of Congress, and candidate for office–as well as anyone who hopes to better understand this complex and important issue” —Cecile Richards

“The landmark Turnaway Study, which she [Diana Greene Foster] led, is a crystal ball into our post-Roe future and, I would argue, the single most important piece of academic research in American life at this moment.” - The Atlantic

The Turnaway Play is a live in-person theater event. Masks will be required. For more information on our COVID safety policies visit HartBeat's website HERE

Running Time: 90 minutes

About the Playwright:

Lesley Greene is a playwright, sound designer, composer, video editor, and director based in Ithaca, NY. She worked for over twenty years at the Kitchen Theatre Company, working on dozens of productions in various capacities. She is currently co-director of Story House Ithaca and also co-founder and organizer of Porchfest, a music festival that began in Ithaca in 2007 and now takes place in more than 170 cities across North America. And she is proud to be the sister of the real Dr. Diana Foster! lesleylisagreene.com