THE ROAD BACK TO ROE

An Interstate Initiative

Bechdel Project is working on something big, and we need your help.

To mark the anniversary of Roe v. Wade in January of 2027, we are inviting artists across the US to help us build a coordinated, nationwide act of creative resistance by mounting their own presentations of Courtney Bailey’s one-woman play, The Pavement Kingdom: a clinic escort play.

Why This Play?

Last year we brought The Pavement Kingdom to NYC as part of the Interstate Initiative to anchor the MY BODY, MY VOICE festival, which raised funds for the Brigid Alliance Abortion Access Fund. The play is based on Bailey’s real-world experience as a clinic escort in St. Louis, Missouri. The play moves beyond the tired "pro-life/pro-choice" divide and centers on the personal and disarming experiences of one person as she uses her time volunteering as a clinic escort to work on her comedy routine. It was a huge success that raised over $2,300, and we want to share it!

The Mission: 50 States, One Voice

Our goal is to have the "Kingdom" represented in every corner of the country, leading up to the January 22nd anniversary of Roe. To make this as accessible as possible, Courtney Bailey is waiving all royalties. 

Whether you are part of a major regional theatre, a university department, or a group of friends in a living room, your participation matters. We welcome:

• Fully staged productions

• Staged readings in community centers or houses of worship

• Pop-up performances in unconventional spaces

• Living room "script-ins" for intimate discussion

Why Join Us?

By joining this initiative, you aren't just putting on a play—you are joining a synchronized movement. We are marking the anniversary of Roe not with silence, but with humor and humanity. This is an opportunity to bridge the gap between art and activism, red and blue, by providing a space for our communities to gather, reflect, and organize.

How to Get Involved

If you are ready to build the ROAD BACK TO ROE with us and claim your place in The Pavement Kingdom, please email jens@bechdelproject.org. We also welcome questions, ideas, or referrals to other folks we should contact!

Your place as a storyteller is on the front line of the important issues of our time. Let’s put the "Interstate" in this initiative and ensure that from coast to coast, the humanity of abortion care and women's rights are shared.