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PerSIStence Theatre will host a live performance of Jane Cawthorne's THE ABORTION MONOLOGUES as part of a community gathering in support of abortion rights and access.
All are welcome this Saturday, July 2, 2022, at the Bowring Park Cabot 500 Amphitheatre, starting at 2pm - but secure pre-registration is required. This gathering is in response to today's precedent-shattering Supreme Court decision in the US to overturn Roe vs Wade - a decision that will have a dramatic impact on the lives of millions of people facing unwanted pregnancies. Abortion access in Canada and in Newfoundland and Labrador is also being discussed and questioned. As part of our mandate to "respond to issues that affect women* and girls in our community", PerSIStence Theatre will present THE ABORTION MONOLOGUES based on the real life experiences of Canadian women telling their own stories and challenges about accessing abortion care. Sometimes funny, sometimes heartbreaking, but always thought-provoking, women in St. John's from all walks of life are coming together to tell these stories and highlight the importance of abortion care. Performers include Jayne Batstone, Sadhana Bhandari, Nathalie Brunet, Vanessa Cardoso-Whelan, Patricia Cumby, Jenn Deon, Kristle Earles, Chelsea Hewitt, Jenna James, Chantelle Keen, Amanda Klein, Hanaa Mekawy, Sarah Power, Samita Rimal, Rolanda Ryan, Aedon Young and Courtney Zwicker. The performance will be followed by a panel discussion featuring Nikki Baldwin of Planned Parenthood, abortion rights activist Dr. Noreen Golfman, and RN Rolanda Ryan, owner of the Athena Clinic. The event begins at 2pm and takes place outdoors in the Bowring Park Amphitheatre. Pre-registration is required and admission is by donation in support of the Athena Clinic's Remote Access Travel Fund for women in Newfoundland and Labrador. Representatives from Planned Parenthood NL Sexual Health Centre will also be on site. Content Warning: Includes mentions of sexual assault, eating disorders, body dysmorphia/weight shaming, domestic violence. *PerSIStence Theatre recognizes the limiting nature of the binary use of the word ‘woman.’ We serve and welcome anyone on the gender spectrum who identifies either always or some of the time as a woman, including trans women, women of colour, Indigenous women, women living with disabilities, as well as non-binary people who are comfortable in a space that centres the experiences of women. |
Tickets to attend the performance are by donation, will all proceeds going towards a Remote Access Travel Fund, administered by the Athena Clinic for women in rural and remote areas of NL who may require assistance accessing abortion services.
The Bowring Park Amphitheatre is an approximately 10-minute walk on paved pathways from the parking lot on Waterford Bridge Road and is located behind the Fountain Pond in the West End of Bowring Park. Please contact us if you require a more accessible access to the venue.
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Jayne Batstone
Jayne Batstone is a NL born and raised singer/songwriter and multi-instrumentalist, currently between semesters from the Fine Arts (theater program) at MUN’s Grenfell campus. Her debut EP Line Art was released in 2021 and garnered Jayne her first Music NL award nomination for Pop Artist of the Year. Reviews have described her vocals as “smooth and haunting” and her songwriting as “heartfelt and authentic”. Jayne is a fierce defender of equality, a lover of all things theatre, and as her song Pastel Angst says, believes that “dreaming is compulsory” .
Jayne Batstone is a NL born and raised singer/songwriter and multi-instrumentalist, currently between semesters from the Fine Arts (theater program) at MUN’s Grenfell campus. Her debut EP Line Art was released in 2021 and garnered Jayne her first Music NL award nomination for Pop Artist of the Year. Reviews have described her vocals as “smooth and haunting” and her songwriting as “heartfelt and authentic”. Jayne is a fierce defender of equality, a lover of all things theatre, and as her song Pastel Angst says, believes that “dreaming is compulsory” .
Sadhana Bhandari
Sadhana Bhandari, originally from Nepal, has worked in the theatre since 2012.
She has experience in acting, production, costume and props management in
theatre arts. She was the founding member of Tatsama Arts in Nepal. Besides
her production tasks, she is known for her performances in theatrical productions
like Sphatik - their parallel escapes; Kaaya - a perishable layer; and Conference of
the Birds, to name a few. Her exploration of acting led to the cinematic art form
where she got to play crucial parts in notable movies like Tandav (Nepal); Best
Friends Forever (Nepal); Kokro (Nepal); Umber (Nepal); and Ashmina (UK).
Sadhana Bhandari, originally from Nepal, has worked in the theatre since 2012.
She has experience in acting, production, costume and props management in
theatre arts. She was the founding member of Tatsama Arts in Nepal. Besides
her production tasks, she is known for her performances in theatrical productions
like Sphatik - their parallel escapes; Kaaya - a perishable layer; and Conference of
the Birds, to name a few. Her exploration of acting led to the cinematic art form
where she got to play crucial parts in notable movies like Tandav (Nepal); Best
Friends Forever (Nepal); Kokro (Nepal); Umber (Nepal); and Ashmina (UK).
Nathalie Brunet
Nathalie Brunet is a queer feminist retired teacher who is now free to enjoy gardening, rambling the hills, making pottery and music, and fighting the patriarchy.
Nathalie Brunet is a queer feminist retired teacher who is now free to enjoy gardening, rambling the hills, making pottery and music, and fighting the patriarchy.
Patricia Cumby
Patricia Savell Hicks Cumby has lived in London, Dublin, and Bangladesh, before settling in Newfoundland and Labrador where she mostly remained with the exception of two-and-a-half years on Vancouver Island. Married at 20 and having four children, Patricia was a teacher by profession who taught at many schools throughout her career. She now enjoys hiking, skiing, snow shoeing, swimming, quilting, knitting, gardening, reading, and most of all, spending time with family and friends. She also also done all kinds of other work such as running a B&B, babysitting, private home care, group homes, and running her own foster home.
Patricia Savell Hicks Cumby has lived in London, Dublin, and Bangladesh, before settling in Newfoundland and Labrador where she mostly remained with the exception of two-and-a-half years on Vancouver Island. Married at 20 and having four children, Patricia was a teacher by profession who taught at many schools throughout her career. She now enjoys hiking, skiing, snow shoeing, swimming, quilting, knitting, gardening, reading, and most of all, spending time with family and friends. She also also done all kinds of other work such as running a B&B, babysitting, private home care, group homes, and running her own foster home.
Jenn Deon
Jenn is a freelance theatre artist who has worked in St. John’s since the early 90’s. Stage appearances for Jenn are rare but highly enjoyable: she was last seen on stage in Girl Power's production of Brazil Square.
Jenn is a freelance theatre artist who has worked in St. John’s since the early 90’s. Stage appearances for Jenn are rare but highly enjoyable: she was last seen on stage in Girl Power's production of Brazil Square.
Kristle Earles
Kristle identifies as a feminist and single mother-of-three with a deep passion for advocating for change, justice, acceptance and healing for others. Kristle has experience as a community support worker with organizations such as First Light, working in the Shanawdithit homeless shelter and Waypoints NL as a Child and youth care worker. Kristle has also worked as an organizer with Violence Prevention Avalon East. She is also well-known for organizing LGBTQ2S events, at the Treble Lounge and establishing an inclusive reputation for that venue. Kristle is delighted to bring together her love for community work and theatre arts.
Kristle identifies as a feminist and single mother-of-three with a deep passion for advocating for change, justice, acceptance and healing for others. Kristle has experience as a community support worker with organizations such as First Light, working in the Shanawdithit homeless shelter and Waypoints NL as a Child and youth care worker. Kristle has also worked as an organizer with Violence Prevention Avalon East. She is also well-known for organizing LGBTQ2S events, at the Treble Lounge and establishing an inclusive reputation for that venue. Kristle is delighted to bring together her love for community work and theatre arts.
Chelsea Hewitt
Chelsea is a high school French teacher, feminist, and aspiring Golden Girl. She is passionate about social justice and is grateful for the opportunity to perform Monologue #7 as an outlet for her anger and outrage at the recent Roe v. Wade situation in the U.S. When she’s not re-watching The Golden Girls or trying to convince skeptical teenagers that verb conjugation is fun, you can usually find Chelsea hanging out with her cat, Luna, enjoying a cup of tea and a book, or spending time with her grandparents. |
Jenna James
Jenna James is a 2nd year student in Sheridan College’s Creative Writing & Publishing Program in Oakville, Ontario, but grew up along the shores of Conception Bay South. She is a songwriter, a reader, and a passionate advocate for women’s reproductive rights and freedoms. Jenna is thrilled to be able to take part in this summer’s production of The Abortion Monologues and looks forward to sharing such essential art with her community!
Jenna James is a 2nd year student in Sheridan College’s Creative Writing & Publishing Program in Oakville, Ontario, but grew up along the shores of Conception Bay South. She is a songwriter, a reader, and a passionate advocate for women’s reproductive rights and freedoms. Jenna is thrilled to be able to take part in this summer’s production of The Abortion Monologues and looks forward to sharing such essential art with her community!
Amanda Klein
Amanda is a Stage Manager, Arts Administrator and multi-disciplinary artist originally from Oshawa, ON. Based in St. John's, NL she holds a BFA in Technical Theatre from MUN, and has worked with companies across the province. Highlights include; Tempting Providence (Theatre Newfoundland and Labrador); Ours (Opera On The Avalon); and What Hangs in the Balance (PerSIStence Theatre).
Amanda is a Stage Manager, Arts Administrator and multi-disciplinary artist originally from Oshawa, ON. Based in St. John's, NL she holds a BFA in Technical Theatre from MUN, and has worked with companies across the province. Highlights include; Tempting Providence (Theatre Newfoundland and Labrador); Ours (Opera On The Avalon); and What Hangs in the Balance (PerSIStence Theatre).
Sarah Power
Sarah Power is a recent MUN graduate from Placentia, NL with a passion for both theatre and feminism. She also loves singing, history, animals, and working with children. Sarah is honoured to be taking part in this show for the second time, and helping to bring these important stories to life.
Sarah Power is a recent MUN graduate from Placentia, NL with a passion for both theatre and feminism. She also loves singing, history, animals, and working with children. Sarah is honoured to be taking part in this show for the second time, and helping to bring these important stories to life.
Samita Rimal
Samita Rimal is a graduate student and researcher at Memorial University of Newfoundland pursuing a degree in Master of Mechanical Engineering. She completed her undergraduate degree from Nepal majoring in Hydropower and is currently working on hydrolysis reactor as a part of her thesis research. She calls herself an extrovert who likes learning new skills and visiting places. Having volunteered in organizations like Amnesty International for campaigns such as ‘Rights of Migrant Workers’ and ‘My Body; My Rights’, she believes in the importance of voice of youths for advocating a good cause.
Samita Rimal is a graduate student and researcher at Memorial University of Newfoundland pursuing a degree in Master of Mechanical Engineering. She completed her undergraduate degree from Nepal majoring in Hydropower and is currently working on hydrolysis reactor as a part of her thesis research. She calls herself an extrovert who likes learning new skills and visiting places. Having volunteered in organizations like Amnesty International for campaigns such as ‘Rights of Migrant Workers’ and ‘My Body; My Rights’, she believes in the importance of voice of youths for advocating a good cause.
Aedon Young
Originally from Vancouver, Aedon is an actor, writer, and educator. She has produced, written, and acted in numerous works for both film and theatre. She is a doctoral candidate in Education at MUNL and intends to defend her PhD dissertation in the winter of 2023. Her research interests are children’s/YA fantasy literature, postcolonialism, and feminist poststructuralism. Aedon has also written a fantasy novel for young adults (Mara Roams). She lives in St. John’s with her heroic husband, divine daughter, delinquent dogs, catastrophic cat, and tragic turtle.
Originally from Vancouver, Aedon is an actor, writer, and educator. She has produced, written, and acted in numerous works for both film and theatre. She is a doctoral candidate in Education at MUNL and intends to defend her PhD dissertation in the winter of 2023. Her research interests are children’s/YA fantasy literature, postcolonialism, and feminist poststructuralism. Aedon has also written a fantasy novel for young adults (Mara Roams). She lives in St. John’s with her heroic husband, divine daughter, delinquent dogs, catastrophic cat, and tragic turtle.
