Trustus Theatre Brings MOTHERHOOD OUT LOUD to Columbia Children's Theatre This August

Trustus Theatre expands its theatre walls again this season by partnering with Columbia Children's Theatre to bring Motherhood Out Loud to Columbia. Motherhood Out Loud brings together 15 vignettes that take audiences on a lifetime of mothering adventures seen through the eyes mothers who are all experiencing different parenting moments from birth through first days of school and to watching their children become adults. Uplifting, hilarious, and unfiltered, Motherhood Out Loud will open up at Columbia Children's Theatre (3400 Forest Drive, inside Richland Mall next to Barnes and Noble) on Friday, August 2 and will run through Saturday, August 10, 2019. Tickets may be purchased at www.trustus.org, or by calling the Trustus Box Office at 803-254-9732.

When entrusting the subject of motherhood to such a dazzling collection of celebrated American writers, what results is a joyous, moving, hilarious, and altogether thrilling theatrical event. Utterly unpredictable, Motherhood Out Loud shatters traditional notions about parenthood, unveils its inherent comedy, and celebrates the deeply personal truths that span and unite generations.

Motherhood Out Loud was written by Leslie Ayvazian, Brooke Berman, David Cale, Jessica Goldberg, Beth Henley, Lameece Issaq, Claire LaZebnik, Lisa Loomer, Michele Lowe, Marco Pennette, Theresa Rebeck, Luanne Rice, Annie Weisman, and Cheryl L. West. It will be directed by Trustus Company Member and Trustus Theatre Education Coordinator Martha Hearn Kelly, who was recently awarded the Debora Smith Hoffman Outstanding Mentor Teacher Award by the South Carolina Theatre Association. The play stars actors Becky Hunter, Katrina Blanding, Felicia Myers Bulgozdy, and Joseph Eisenreich.

"I am a brand-new mom," says director Martha Hearn Kelly. "My daughter was born last year. As soon as I saw Motherhood Out Loud was part of our season, I felt an immediate connection. This play is a great reflection of motherhood because everyone's experience is unique. Our struggles, snuggles, triumphs, and heartaches all come together to tell this massive, universal story. The stories are told from the beginning of the motherhood journey and develop as the child grows over time. We mark the milestones and grow along with our children. I hope that mothers of all kinds will feel seen by this play. Too often the work of mothers goes unnoticed and unappreciated. I hope audiences will see that motherhood is the source of all life and it encompasses the entire spectrum of emotions. To be a mom is to be elated, terrified, furious, confused, enlightened, and joyful all in one breath. It is hilarious. It is tender. It is tough. And every mother, whether by giving birth, adopting, fostering, being a mentor, by choice, by chance, if you're a woman, man, fluid-you deserve a big hug and a big drink."

Trustus Company Member Becky Hunter is one of four actors helping to tell these stories of motherhood in Motherhood Out Loud.

"I am a laid back mother (odd mom) in the park with her child encountering two 'perfect' mothers, the mother of a teenage boy with autism on his first date, the mother of an 11-year-old girl who is buying her first bra, the mother of a daughter bringing home a vegan boyfriend for Thanksgiving, the other excited about her child's first day of school, the mother who adopted a Chinese child, a mother-in-law in a bridal shop, and a mother talking to her infant daughter about her birth," says Trustus Company Member Becky Hunter, who plays Actor A and takes on the role of eight different mothers throughout the play. "I hope that audiences will see how many types of 'mothers' there are and realize that, despite the differences, motherhood, in whatever form it takes, is all about loving, guiding, and protecting another person whether you gave birth to them or not. Perhaps it will help people understand and change their perceptions and judgements of people experiencing motherhood in ways to which they are not accustomed.

"I think anyone can relate to the content of this show. They may see their parent(s), siblings, other relatives, friends, or themselves in many of the characters. There are some very funny scenes that portray situations we have all experienced whether we gave birth to kids; adopted kids; mother our nieces, nephews, friends, or significant others; or even like kids. It's funny, moving, insightful, thought-provoking, and eye-opening."

Motherhood, Out Loud will run from Friday, August 2 through Saturday, August 10, 2019 at Columbia Children's Theatre at 3400 Forest Drive inside Richland Mall, next to Barnes & Noble. Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased by calling the Trustus Theatre Box Office at 803-254-9732 or online at trustus.org. Opening night is Friday, August 2, at 7pm. The performances following are on Saturday, August 3, at 7pm; Sunday, August 4, at 3pm; Wednesday, August 7, at 7pm; Thursday, August 8, at 7pm; Friday, August 9, at 8pm; and Saturday, August 10, at 2pm and 7pm.

Photo Credit: Brad Martin of Trustus Theatre

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