School of Drama at UNCSA presents “Roe” by Lisa Loomer

The School of Drama will present Lisa Loomer’s 2016 play “Roe,” which follows the intimate details of the lives of lawyer Sarah Weddington and plaintiff Norma McCorvey, aka “Jane Roe,” in the years leading up to and following the landmark Supreme Court decision legalizing abortion in 1973. The play is particularly relevant since the Supreme Court’s June 24 decision reversing 49 years of precedent in Roe v. Wade.

The UNCSA production, directed by guest artist and alumna Acadia Barrengos (B.F.A. Drama ’22), will be Thursday-Saturday, Sept. 29-Oct. 1, at 7:30 p.m.; and Sunday, Oct. 2, at 2 p.m. in Patrons Theater in Alex Ewing Performance Place on campus. Tickets are $20 regular and $15 students with valid ID.

According to the Mail Tribune of Oregon, “‘Roe’ is not a screed for or against abortion. Rather, Loomer’s main theme is the process by which everyday people get swept up in the big currents of history. … ‘Roe’ reflects the polarization that remains in America while illuminating the passion each side has for its cause, turning from shocking to humorous to poignant.”

While emphasizing the 1970s and ’80s, “Roe” also extends into the present day. The last line of the mostly recently published version of the play in 2019 was: “At this moment ‘Roe’ still stands.” But the playwright has rewritten the ending to reflect the most recent Supreme Court decision.

“The tone of the play has intrinsically shifted from when it was first written,” Barrengos said. “Originally, the tone felt final, as if it were history that had been cemented. Now, it is not historical and feels much more loaded. 

Originally, the tone felt final, as if it were history that had been cemented. Now, it is not historical and feels much more loaded.

Director Acadia Barrengos

“The story follows real people who are at the heart of the story. We follow the intimate details of their lives. … in doctors’ offices, their homes, the courtroom, etc. The audience will feel immersed in their everyday Iives.”

The two characters illustrate how difficult it is to talk about abortion. Sarah, the lawyer, is more interested in law and choice, and Norma is rooted more in emotion and in the people involved in these cases. 

“It’s what’s so brilliant about what Lisa has done. She has made it about the people," Barrengos said. “Norma had a remarkable, complicated life. And this play is intended to allow people to sit in the gray areas of life. We want the audience to wrestle with navigating decisions and beliefs. We are not trying to change opinion, as there is a lot of nuance in this story, reflective of how loaded and packed this issue is.” 

The cast of “Roe” includes fourth-year actors Ruby Westhoff as Sarah, Gianna Hoffman as Norma, Brooke Stephenson as Linda, Logan Gould as Flip and Nico Poler as Blackmun; third-year actors Kiara Mazariegos as Connie, Venus Fischer as Ronda, Maya Mays as Aileen, Ryleigh Walker as Molly, Abigail Garcia as Roxy and Jack Zubieta Elliot as McClusky; and Scarlett Edge as Emily/Melissa.

From the School of Design and Production, Kayli D. Kimerer is the production stage manager; Gwendolen Landrum is the scenic designer; Maureen Wynne is the costume designer; Frankie Stiehl-Guerra is the lighting designer; Bella Flosi is the sound designer; Elisa Perez Stroud is the wig and makeup designer; Seavor M. Roach is the production manager; Cris George is the technical director; Olivia Venable is the scenic paint charge; and Mak Jordan is the properties director.

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