Last Wednesday, a bold and emotionally charged performance titled Stolen Choices, Stolen Lives brought the personal cost of reproductive injustice to light. The performance took place in the Connelly Cinema, and featured performances by Darcy Byrne, Morgan Bolesta, Kaleigh Brendle, Kelsey Sanders, Bianca Brucker, J’Ney Simmons, Patricia O’Keefe and Noah Carver. It gave voice to women who were denied life-saving abortions, refused care after sexual assault or left to suffer due to restrictive reproductive laws. Based on true stories, the show used powerful storytelling to confront the question, what happens when women’s choices are taken away?
The cast rotated through multiple roles, with each character grounded in the real experiences of women across the United States. Lighting shifts helped guide the audience from one story to the next, while voiceovers representing offstage characters echoed in the background, adding layers to the story and intensifying key moments. Every story portrayed on stage came from a real woman’s account, giving the performance a powerful sense of urgency and authenticity.
For senior O’Keefe, joining the cast was a deeply personal decision. Though not originally planning to be involved, she was moved by the passion and dedication of her best friend, senior Brendle, the creator and director of the show.
“I knew I wanted to be involved in some capacity,” O’Keefe said. “I felt very strongly about the themes in the message of the show, and I knew it would mean a lot to [Brendle] to have me in the show.”
Byrne was invited to join by faculty advisor Dr. Heidi Rose, who knew of her passion for women’s reproductive rights.
“I was very honored and enthusiastic about the opportunity to not only work with a talented group of like-minded individuals, but also to help spread awareness about such a timely issue,” Byrne said.
Bringing these women’s stories to life came with a responsibility that the cast took seriously.
“I think it was important to show the true severity and graveness of each woman’s situation while still creating a retelling that was in good taste,” Byrne said.
O’Keefe added that working alongside Brendle made the process smoother, describing her as a considerate leader who approached the stories with care.
“[Brendle] made excellent choices in her script and staging, such as having the loss of Deborah’s son occur with the stage lights off and portraying Ashley’s rapist as a disembodied voice,” Byrne said. “These choices allowed audiences to grasp the emotional turmoil, heartbreak and trauma that occurs when women’s rights to reproductive health are restricted, while still remaining respectful to these real stories.”
Both O’Keefe and Byrne are aware of how the project changed their understanding of the issues at stake.
“This project has absolutely opened by eyes to understanding the prevalence of the issues surrounding abortion, laws and women’s rights in that they are still occurring in so many different places, and [Brendle]’s show was one sliver of a solution that could be offered to bring awareness to this topic,” O’Keefe said.
Byrne was especially impacted by the stories of women who wanted children, but were failed by the American healthcare system.
“Women like Amanda, Jaci, Deborah and Neveah were all excited to be mothers, but because of these laws, them and their babies all suffered,” Byrne said.
Both actors hope the performance encourages lasting conversation, especially on Villanova’s campus.
“I hope that Villanova and the individuals that saw the show see the importance of the matter at hand,” O’Keefe said. “Regardless of if we are a Catholic institution, we should be supportive of reverent issues that are occurring and impacting young women, just like those that attend Villanova.”
Stolen Choices, Stolen Lives was not meant to offer an easy solution to such a widespread issue. However, through giving voice to real experience, it asked the audience to listen, empathize and carry these stories forward. Even after the performance, the weight of the stories told lingered, urging audience members to confront the harsh realities of reproductive injustice and to stand with those who continue to fight for their rights.
