A play in ten acts that follows a Queer mixed-racial couple’s journey through pregnancy, and the ghosts that haunt them. Moving through four hundred years of colonial history, into doctor’s offices, places of worship, on the water, political offices, and into the homes of people experiencing pregnancy and those caring for them, this play asks us to examine our own experiences of pregnancy and desires to become, or not become, parents. How can we be our ancestors wildest dreams if they only had nightmares?
This play was written based on years of research by both Three-Faced Productions' founders, playwright Timmia Hearn DeRoy, and dramaturg Pere DeRoy, as well as the personal journey of the playwright and her community, here in Lawrence, Kansas, and in the diasporas to which, as the child and spouse of immigrants, she and her family belongs.
We invite you to come join this meaningful conversation about pregnancy and the different journeys and experiences we all bring to it. We were all born, and so this story is relevant to us all.
Each performance was followed by a community talk-back.
About the Cast.
Ang is thrilled to join the cast of On-Born Children and Ghosts. Their stage experience includes roles in Rotterdam with Voices in Alliance, as well as Hot Money and Body + Blood, both with the Great Plains Theatre Commons. Ang has honed their skills through training at the Henry Fonda Theatre Academy and The Union for Contemporary Art. As an interdisciplinary artist, Ang has earned several local awards for their artistic contributions.
Sarah McGuire is a local actor in the Kansas City area. She graduated from Avila University with a degree in Musical Theatre, and has continued broadening her horizon by branching out into the Film and Voice Over world. Sarah is incredibly honored and excited to be playing the role of 'Emily' in 'On-Born Children and Ghosts', and cannot wait to share this amazing story with you all!
Gabrielle Smith is a theatre, film and commercial actor! Select credits: Flaminius in Timon of Athens, Virgilia in Coriolanus (Utah Shakespeare Festival), Suzanne Prevot/Clarinet in Hello Girls (The Phoenix Theatre Company), Jo in The Legend of Georgia McBride (Kansas Repertory Theatre), Mary Debenham in Murder on the Orient Express (Sierra Repertory Theatre), Jane Danvers in Capacity (reading @ Sarah Lawrence College). Education: University of Kansas B.A. theatre performance, 2021.
You may recognize Carmelle from her most recent area productions like TPAC’s A Chorus Line or TCT’s The Legend of Georgia McBride, however this is her first North-East Kansas production since living abroad with her family for the past 2 years. She is thrilled to be back and sharing this living, breathing piece with the community. She wants to thank Martin, Casper, and Quaide for their love and support.
Chris Pendry (he/him) graduated from the University of Kansas with degrees in Theatre Performance and Film Production. Since graduating, he has worked with the Florida Studio Theatre, Circus Flora, the Powerhouse Theatre at Vassar College, and is currently with the Kansas City Chiefs. Chris most recently appeared onstage in What the Constitution Means to Me (U/S Legionnaire/Mike) at the Florida Studio Theatre.
Rhonda Simmons is a Guyanese fiber artist and craftsperson. This is Rhonda’s debut stage performance. As a child she dreamed of being an actress, but life took her in other directions. She never lost her passion for the stage and is proud and honored to be able to make her life-long dream come true. She is particularly excited to play the role of Ghosts in On-Born Children and Ghosts, where she serves not just as an actress, but cultural consultant.
Support for this work is provided by a Rocket Grants project award, a program of Charlotte Street and the Spencer Museum of Art. Funding is provided by the Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts
