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axes

herbs

and

satchels

Rooted in the history and embodied wisdom of doulas and midwives, axes, herbs and satchels is a celebration of traditional knowledge held in the Black birth worker community and a potent examination of maternal mortality. 

 

The United States has a maternal mortality rate that is three times higher than any other high-income country. Black and Indigenous birthing people are particularly at risk, with death rates up to three times more likely than their White counterparts. Modern medicine may be at our fingertips, but did it come at the cost of losing the ancient practices of Doulas and Midwives? 

 

The play will be devised from an array of research materials; first hand accounts, medical textbooks, ethnological research, and primary sources documenting granny midwives and the history of midwifery.

Co-Directors: Sandie Luna and Melissa Moschitto

Assistant Director: Jayda Jones

Lead Deviser: Jalissa Fulton

Ensemble: Jalissa Fulton, Miranda Hall-Jiménez, Asha John, Jayda Jones, Sandie Luna and Devyn Wray

Contributing Writers: Devyn Wray, Melissa Moschitto, Sandie Luna

Producer: Mariah Freda

Assistant Producer: Miranda Hall-Jiménez

Stage Manager: Mars Juno Bartolome Neri

Anthropologist-in-Residence: Dr. Haile Eshe Cole

axes
herbs

and

satchels

MEET
THE
TEAM

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Melissa Moschitto

Co-Director

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Dr. Haile Eshe Cole

Anthropologist-in-residence

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Asha John

Actor

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Sandie Luna

Co-Director

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Mariah Freda

Producer

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Mars Neri

Stage Manager

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Jalissa Fulton

Actor and Lead Deviser

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Miranda Hall Jiménez

Asst. Producer and Actor

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Jayda Jones

Actor and Asst. Director

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Devyn Wray

Actor and Contributing Writer

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axes, herbs and satchels and NEWS!

- American Theatre Magazine, March 15, 2023

"The investigative theatre troupe will work with anthropologist Dr. Haile Eshe Cole to create a play about doulas and Black motherhood."

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6.30.23: Work-In-Process Showing

Join The Anthropologists for a mid-process performance of axes, herbs, and satchels, followed by a conversation with Dr. Haile Eshe Cole, anthropologist-in-residence.

Friday, June 30 at 7:30PM at the 14th St Y Theater.

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This program is supported, in part, by public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council.

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