Hypothetical Baby
Presented by The Howland Company
December 8 –
December 17, 2023
Tarragon Extraspace
Written and performed by Rachel Cairns
Directed by Courtney Ch’ng Lancaster
An unintended pregnancy, followed by an unhelpful doctor’s appointment, leads to a Christmas Eve abortion and one woman’s reckoning with the practical and existential considerations in deciding to become a parent… or not.
Hypothetical Baby is a time-travelling exploration that grapples with the personal and societal factors that shape our reproductive lives and the intricate relationship between choice, change, and loss.
From the creator of the award-winning Aborsh podcast, Rachel Cairns mixes data and drama in this autobiographical work to publicly talk about abortion the way we do privately — with neurotic vulnerability, unflinching honesty, and frank irreverence.
Length: 75 minutes, no intermission.
Age Recommendation: 16+.
Audience Advisory: Please read at your own discretion.
This production contains mature content, including coarse language, and discussion of abortion, miscarriage, sexual assault, sex, and gender.
For media inquiries, please contact Katie Saunoris, publicist, katiesaunoris@gmail.com.
Hypothetical Baby Media Gallery
Showtimes
Rachel Cairns
Playwright & Performer
Courntey Ch’ng Lancaster
Director
Julia Howman
Production, Lighting & Projection Design
Cosette Pin
Sound Design
Emily Jung
Associate Technical Artist
Taylor Young
Stage Manager
Join us for a post-show talkback!
Tuesday 12th – Reproductive Justice
Featuring Martha Paynter (Abortion to Abolition), and Dr Suzaane Shoush and Cheryllee Bourgeois (from the Call Auntie Clinic)
Thursday 14th – The Economics of Gender Equity
Featuring Sheila Block (Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives), Fay Faraday (Equal Pay Coalition), Natasha Luckhardt (Ontario Federation of Labour)
Saturday 16th matinee – Universal Contraception with Campaign Cover ContraceptiON
Saturday 16th evening – The past, present and future of abortion in Canada
Featuring feminist icons Judy Rebick (founder of rabble.ca) and Carolyn Egan (Ontario Coalition of Abortion Clinics)