One-Woman Show Explores Societal Taboos Around Infertility and Miscarriage

Newberry College will host “Lost and Found,” a one-woman theatrical performance that explores the societal taboos surrounding infertility and miscarriage.

The solo show features Adanma Onyedike Barton, a faculty guest artist from Berea College. Barton takes to the Newberry College stage on Wednesday, April 19, at 7 p.m., in Wiles Theatre. The play is free and open to the public.

Barton’s performance teaches audiences about women’s reproductive health while also providing the audience with a chance to respond. When the 45-minute production concludes, the audience is invited to remain for a panel discussion featuring Barton, a reproductive health counselor and a physician specializing in reproductive health.

During her sabbatical from Berea College for the 2016-2017 academic year, Barton created her solo play, “Lost and Found,” as a means of engaging audiences in an exploration of the uniquely personal issues surrounding women’s reproductive health.

“So many women suffer in silence,” Barton said. “It is my hope that this production gives women the opportunity to speak up and speak out.” 

Since February, Barton has been touring her production and teaching a solo performance workshops at colleges and universities throughout the county. She joined the faculty of Kentucky-based Berea College in 2009, where she serves as an associate professor of Theatre.

“When I arrived at Berea College, I began teaching my students that Theatre can be used as a tool to promote conversation and social change,” Barton said.” I developed a course titled, ‘Feminist Solo Performance,’ that helps students explore various methods of storytelling that have enhanced perspectives on issues pertaining to women.”

Founded in 1855, Berea College is the first interracial and coeducational college in the South.  All students who attend Berea do so tuition free and are required to work a minimum of 10 hours in a labor position on campus.

PRAISE FOR ADANMA O. BARTON

“I have had the tremendous good fortune to have Adanma Barton as a colleague. In all my works on transformative pedagogy, I urge professors and students to be fully engaged. Adanma Barton in her multidisciplinary work in Theatre, Black Studies, and Women Studies embodies the very best of engaged teaching and learning.”

DR. BELL HOOKS, world renowned feminist scholar and Distinguished Professor in Residence in Appalachian Studies at Berea College

“I believe Adanma is one of the most exciting directors in the region. Her intelligence, deep knowledge of theatre, and drive brings an electricity to a play that would not have existed without her. Her deep passion for the written word and for drama instilled the same into her students. I have seen several plays directed by Adanma and all of them have her trademark stamp of layered intelligence, creativity, and energy. Adanma is an amazing teacher. She cares deeply about her students and works incredibly hard to make sure they are learning as much as possible. She never coddles them but always makes sure they know she cares about their education. Her teaching technique is especially effective because it is so clear that she cares about knowledge and taking the work at hand seriously. Her passion for learning is infectious, and it sets a fire in her students.”

SILAS HOUSE, award winning author and playwright

“Adanma is a world builder. Seeing how she brings her students into this delicate realm, whether it’s on stage or in the classroom, I became increasingly aware of a certain transformation from classmates to cast members. Wherever that fourth wall goes up, Adanma pushes it as far back as it will go, absorbing every last member of her class. The very vitality that she endows, both her teaching and directing, becomes so readily infectious amongst her students, her audience, it’s impossible not to feel engaged—or, even better, a member of the ensemble. Quite simply, she brings theatre to life.”

CLAY McLEOD, New York City-based playwright and author