The Turnaway Play
We believe that art catalyzes change and story leads to action.
The Turnaway Play, by Lesley Lisa Greene, the sister of Diana Greene Foster, is based on the real life stories of people across the United States who were denied abortions, and those who received them. It weaves together the Turnaway Study’s scientific conclusions with the experience of carrying an unwanted pregnancy.
Through humor, honesty, and candid stories from the study participants, this play aims to reduce stigma, normalize, humanize, and open a dialogue about abortion.
The Turnaway Play is only 70 minutes long, and can be read by anyone, anywhere (theaters, classrooms, living rooms, etc) using our simple DIY kit.
In places where abortion is most restricted, we see the Turnaway Play as a powerful tool to re-center the discussion on how abortion shapes people’s futures, families, and long-term stability.
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Lesley Lisa Greene (she/her) is a theater artist and event producer. Her credits include work as a playwright, composer, sound designer, and director. She is co-director of Story House Ithaca, an organization that brings people together to share, study, create, and enjoy stories in all their forms. She co-founded and continues to be an organizer of Porchfest, a festival that began in Ithaca in 2007 and now takes place in more than 225 cities across North America. She worked for over twenty years at the Kitchen Theatre Company, working on dozens of productions in various capacities and helping to grow the organization. Lesley is the 2023-2024 winner of the Debra S. Newman ‘02 Cornell Tradition Community Service Award."
“The Turnaway Play has the potential to do for abortion what the Vagina Monologues did for vaginas. ”
Want to lead a science-based discussion about abortion with your book club or class?
Request a Turnaway Play Book Group Kit — everything you need to guide a thoughtful conversation grounded in real research and real stories.
Along with copies of The Turnaway play, each kit includes a discussion card deck for your group's host, along with pins, bookmarks, a fact sheet, and more.
Past Readings and Performances
Host a Reading or Perform the Play
Do you want to host a reading or find out more? Fill out this form and we will be in touch shortly. We can't wait to hear from you!
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The Turnaway Play explores what happens when people are denied access to abortion. It's inspired by the Turnaway Study, the first research to document the real consequences of having—or being denied—an abortion. The play's characters are based on actual study participants and members of the research team, using their words and experiences to bust myths and reduce abortion stigma. Through drama, humor, and audience participation, it turns rigorous science into a moving, thought-provoking event.
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The Turnaway Study is groundbreaking research led by Dr. Diana Greene Foster, a 2023 MacArthur Fellow at the University of California, San Francisco. Dr. Foster followed 1,000 women across the country for five years to produce the first scientific evidence on the effects of abortion access. The central finding: receiving an abortion does not harm women's health or wellbeing, while being denied one leads to worse financial, health, and family outcomes.
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Yes. The Turnaway Play had its professional premiere in May 2024 at the Kitchen Theatre Company in Ithaca, NY, directed by artistic director Rachel Lampert. Since then, nearly 50 readings have taken place across the country as of December 2025, with more on the way.
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Hosting a reading is a powerful way to engage your community. It can help you organize people for change, educate audiences about the science, create conversation across different groups, and take action to expand and protect reproductive rights—making a difference for your community and for future generations.
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Not much. The play can be performed with four, seven, or ten actors (a character breakdown and casting notes are provided). You'll need someone to run the slides, and optionally someone to read stage directions. Space requirements are minimal—a theater, community center, empty storefront, or even a living room all work. When choosing a venue, consider accessibility, parking, and proximity to public transit. The play runs 70 minutes, so with setup and a post-show discussion, about two hours is plenty.
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Yes—the script, slides, and a wealth of supplemental material are available completely free to theaters, students, and advocates nationwide. To dive in, check out The Turnaway Play Guide for ideas and step-by-step instructions. If you're interested in staging a full theatrical production, contact the playwright directly.