Artists from Rhode Island’s incredible theatre community are coming together to participate in a Benefit Reading of “The Clinic,” by Will Brumley.  The reading will take place Tuesday, July 9, in The Wilbury Group Theatre space located at 40 Sonoma Court, in Providence.  Doors open at 6:30pm; the benefit will begin at 7pm.

Rhode Island has recently shown its support for women by passing the Reproductive Privacy Act (RPA), but there remains much work to do.

This staged reading supports Rhode Island’s move to enshrine women’s reproductive rights into state law, and is part of a nationwide action to fight the abortion bans.  Readings of the play have already taken place this month in Atlanta, St Louis, Kansas City, and Cincinnati–and more are scheduled in New York City and Los Angeles this summer.

Proceeds from the Providence reading will be divided among Rhode Island organizations that advocate for women’s health issues, as well as provide women’s healthcare services and health education:  Planned Parenthood, the Women’s Health and Education Fund, and The Womxn Project.

Produced by local theater artist-activists Rebecca Gibel and Jessie Darrell Jarbadan, “The Clinic” reading features an All-Star Rhode Island cast, directed by theater artist and educator Jackie Davis, seen most recently by Rhode Islanders in her work at Trinity Rep’s Black Odyssey and Marisol.

After the reading, Senator Gayle Goldin (Democrat, District 3, Providence), co-sponsor of the RPA, Jordan Hevenor, of the Womxn Project, and Tiara TyShae of the Women’s Health and Education Fund will participate in a facilitated talk-back panel to discuss and frame the Rhode Island community’s next actionable steps–to continue the momentum from the passage of the RPA by outlining actions that will ensure access to safe, legal abortion, and reproductive healthcare for all.

“My hope is that everyone can see that People Power is working – we are raising our voices and affecting change,” says co-producer Rebecca Gibel. “And while the RPA was passed, we need to keep moving forward – to consider issues already at our doorstep.  There are currently three key pieces of legislation that need our help: the Doula Reimbursement Act (H5609), Right To Parent For People With Disabilities (H5562), and Ensuring Rights of LGBTQ Parents (H5707).”

[Note: All three bills have failed this year at the Rhode Island General Assembly.]

Co-producer Jessie Darrell Jarbadan agrees.  “The Doula Reimbursement Act, as one example … is about expanding access to natal care — and since African-American mothers statistically have a 3-4 times greater risk of maternal mortality than White mothers, denying access to lifesaving care options is inexcusable. It’s only fitting that Rhode Island – a state steeped in the undiluted principle of individual rights — would sponsor legislation that will expand rights and access to care. Together, we are building a wiser and healthier society.”

Tickets are $10 and available in advance online or at the door.
There will be a cash bar.

“The Clinic” Artists Include:
Jackie Davis, Director
Becky Bass
Steve Kidd
Anne Scurria
Sylvia Ann Soares
Rachael Warre

[From a press release]