Courtesy of Scirocco Drama“Jasmine bursts into the world unlike your typical newborn child and is anointed a ‘jail baby.’ Born in prison, raised by a mother who revolved in and out of the correctional system, tossed in and out of foster care, Jasmine is destined to become one of society’s monsters. When she finds herself pregnant and facing her most serious charge yet, Jasmine is horrified at the thought of having her unborn child repeat her life of despair. Through a series of parodies, myths about incarcerated women are woven together with scenes from Jasmine’s journey. From bad prison B movies, to Kangaroo Court, the ensemble of characters turn common beliefs on their heads in order to make the audience question their preconceptions of women ‘offenders’.” (From the CPO Website)
JASMINE: age 18-20
JAS: young version of Jasmine, age 3-14
TANIS: Jasmine’s mother, age 20-30
GRANDPA JOE: Jasmine’s grandfather, 50s
PATRICIA: daughter of Frank, who is killed in a robbery
DEREK: Tanis’ boyfriend, 30s
LILY: victim services worker
HEATHER: correctional officer
LIZ: Jasmine’s friend and fellow street worker
FRANK: Patricia’s father and Jasmine’s client, 50s
SALLY: mediator with mediation services
JERRY: politician
RINGMASTER: androgynous, ageless
CHAR: incarcerated woman who goes through all levels of incarceration
VOICE 1 / VOICE 2 / VOICE 3 / GUARD 1 / GUARD 2 / CAT / KITTY / MRS. SMITHFIELD / LEONARD / SKY / LADY 1 / LADY 2 / KID / JANET / ZAK / CFS WORKER / JOHNNY – DRUG DEALER / JIMMY / POLICE OFFICER / TERRI / LARRY / MONSTER / SARA / JURY 1 / JURY 2 / DEFENSE / CROWN / BAILIFF / JUDGE / CARL – GUARD / DOCTOR / P.A. / DR. QUACK / NURSE
2013, Winnipeg Asper Center
Jail Baby is available through the CPO website.
For more information about the playwright and her work, visit the CWPO collection.
To view other works by this playwright, click here.
