Women’s maternal health was the subject of the second bi-annual installment of the Stethoscope Stage, a live play festival meant to facilitate communication between the public and medical professionals.

This year’s theme focused on conversations concerning the laws, ethics and treatments around women’s maternal health. On October 19, Theatre TCU students illustrated the challenges of postpartum depression, in vitro fertilization and more through monologues and short plays.

Students performed in the PepsiCo Recital Hall before an audience and a panel from TCU’s Anne Burnett School of Medicine which consisted of doctors such as obstetrician-gynecologists, midwives and medical students.

Ayvaunn Penn, the assistant professor of theatre at TCU and founder of Stethoscope Stage, chose the topic because of the “current sociopolitical conversation and concern” regarding women’s maternal health.

After the performance audience members asked medical professionals questions about medical challenges and services concerning maternal health.

The creation of Stethoscope Stage

Stethoscope Stage was created during the Covid-19 pandemic. Like many others, Penn wanted to know where people were getting their information regarding the diagnosis and vaccinations. Having a theatrical history, Penn said she thought “theatre can be a solution to anything.”

As a result, Penn created a festival that solicited writings from people about their personal experiences. This included the public, patients, medical students and medical professionals in order to get multiple points of view.

The topic and date of the next festival have not been announced.