What is BOLD’s approach?

BOLD's approach to our mission is based on similar "theatre for social change" models (think V-Day, The Innocence Project). We have two programs: one supports communities to organize BOLD performances and talkbacks of Karen Brody's critically acclaimed play, Birth, and the other supports communities to organize BOLD Red Tents. The goal of each event is to put mothers at the center of solving their maternity care problems and engage communities in childbirth issues that affect mothers. At BOLD we ask mothers: what kind of childbirth options do you want? What do you deserve?

What does the BOLD acronym stand for?

Originally the name BOLD came from “Birth On Labor Day.” In 2006 playwright Karen Brody founded Birth On Labor Day, allowing her critically acclaimed play, Birth, to be performed in communities throughout the world over four days during the American Labor Day for free to raise money and awareness about maternity care. Brody was astounded by the response to her “BOLD call to action.” In those 4 days more than forty performances of the play took place raising over $10,000 for organizations working to make maternity care mother-friendly. Today BOLD events – performances and BOLD Red Tents – are possible to do throughout the year.

Why BOLD?

Playwright Karen Brody wanted to find a way to honor mothers birth experiences, get communities talking about their local birthing issues, and raise money for organizations and small groups who are working to make maternity care mother-friendly. “The cesarean rate in the United States is over thirty percent, women in developing countries are without properly trained birth attendants and needed birth supplies,” says Brody, “As a writer I wondered, why are we not telling these stories? And as an activist I wondered how can we tell these stories in a way that will make a difference, that will shift the model of maternity care to the mother’s needs?”

When does BOLD take place?

All BOLD events take place throughout the year - BOLD Performances and Talkbacks and BOLD Red Tent events.

How can you participate in BOLD?

There are many exciting ways to be a part of BOLD.
Click HERE for more details.

Watch a film about BOLD! Click HERE.