Borrowed Babies

Director: Emily Grimany

Scenic Design: Caitlin Buswell

Costume & Hair/Makedup Design: Katie Zaragoza

Lighting Design: Ayibainatimi Miracle Ebieri

Sound Design: Jack Regan

Dramaturg: Krista Peters

Stage Manager: Stephanie Nauman

Lead Prop Manager: Connor. J. Daemicke

Photo credit: Pete Guither

From the first time reading this play, I knew I had to direct it. As a mother in graduate school, the question “can women have it all?” is often at the center of my mind. While I have a husband who shares in the housework and childcare, many mothers do not. I have seen friends crushed under the weight of work, housework, and childcare because they do not have spouses who contribute. How have we come so far in terms of what jobs women can hold, and yet still the majority of housework falls on women? This play asks that question through the lens of the 1950s and 1980s. In the 1950s we see the choices women were forced to make in regards to having a career or having a family. Then in the 1980s we see two women hopeful that they can do whatever they want, that they can have it all! But as we all know, that is not always possible. Mothers still end up on the “mommy track” in order to take care of their kids. We have undervalued childcare, and women continue to be the ones who pay the price because we did not build an infrastructure that supports parents. Judy asks, “Why do we have to chase success in the male world? Why can’t we change the definition of success?” This quote has stuck with me and I hope it will stay with you as well. How can we continue to open up career opportunities for women while also supporting the family? How can we change the definition of success so that “women’s” work is just as valuable as “men’s” work?