The creator of 'Words of Choice,' Cindy Cooper is an award-winning playwright and journalist in New York City.  Her plays have been produced in New York, regional theaters, Canada and parts of Europe, including at the Women's Project, Primary Stages, Art and Work Ensemble, the Women's Project in Minneapolis, Venus Theater, and elsewhere. Among her works is How She Played the Game about six women in sports history.  A member of the Dramatists' Guild, her plays are contained in eleven volumes, including 'Great Monologues for Women' and 'On The Edge.'  With a background as a lawyer, she was communications director in the field of reproductive justice, she first created 'Words of Choice' in 2000. Read a commentary by Cindy here: On the Road with Choice.  

 

Co-adapter Suzanne Bennett is a director and dramaturg in New York, and has directed many of the productions of the play.  She served as the Director of Special Programs for Women's Project and Productions, heading the directors' forum, and was Artistic Director of the Eureka Theatre in San Francisco.  She co-wrote, with Susan Jonas, A Limited Engagement: Women in Theatre and co-authored with Jane Peterson, Women Playwrights of Diversity. Directing credits include the Women's Project and Productions, American Place Theatre, Lark Theatre, Immigrants' Theatre, Theatre Rhinoceros, Santa Rosa Rep and the Taper Lab.

 

Contributing Writers Among the writers whose works are included in 'Words of Choice': Judith Arcana is a poet and a former member of Jane in Chicago.  The late Justice Harry Blackmun is a former member of the U.S. Supreme Court and wrote the decision in 'Roe v. Wade.'  Angela Bonavoglia is the author of 'The Choices We Made.' and Good Catholic Girls.'  Gloria Feldt is Immediate Past President of Planned Parenthood Federation of America.  Joan Lipkin is the Artistic Director of That Uppity Theatre in St. Louis. Emily Lyons is a former reproductive health nurse.  Kathy Najimy is a movie and theatre actress, who most recently appeared Off-Broadway in Afterbirth: 'The Best of Kathy and Mo.'  Alix Olson is an award-winning spoken word artist. The Onion is the nation's premiere parody newspaper.  Michael David Quinn is a playwright and satirist, who is part of the 'Thalia Follies,' running at Symphony Space in New York.  Kathleen Tolan is a playwright whose works have been widely produced in New York, and across the country.  Emilie Townes is a poet and the Andrew W. Mellon Professor of African American Religion and Theology at Yale Divinity School.  Sherica White is a mother born at the same time that Roe v. Wade was decided.

 

Performers: "Words of Choice" has had the distinct pleasure of working with over three dozen talented performers, men and women, in New York, Boston, Chicago, Ohio, Minneapolis, St. Louis and Washington D.C.  For casts touring in September and October 2004, see Appearances2. Other cast photos are posted throughout the website.

 

Directors of 'Words of Choice': Suzanne Bennett, Peg Denithorne (Culture Project/PPNYC), Teresa Pond (Associate Director, Tour), Deb Lemire (Queen Bee, Ohio), Susann Brinkley, Joan Lipkin (Missouri/Kansas); Cat Parker, Cindy Cooper; Francesca Mantani Arkus.  Linda (Sam) Haskins directed our DVD.

 

And: Alicia Mathewson and Karen Oughtred have served as our Tour Producers; Angela Williams, Deb Dudley and Neil Curri produced our graphics; Suzanne Grossman prepared our educational literature; many other volunteers kept the projects moving.

 

Words of Choice, Inc. is organized as a nonprofit organization in the State of New York.  We are supported by grants and the donations of over 150 individuals.  Donate