About the Play:

Mom's the Word is a full-length drama co-written by Linda A. Carson, Jill Daum, Alison Kelly, Robin Nichol, Barbara Pollard, and Deborah Williams. Six women performers struck upon the idea to write about what they were going through as mothers trying to maintain their careers, their individual identities and their relationships with their partners. Audiences around the world have roared with laughter and tears at these outrageously funny, poignant and true vignettes of motherhood.

Mom's the Word was created out of a Saturday morning writers' support group. Getting together to share their experiences, these six women performers struck upon the idea to write about what they were going through as mothers trying to maintain their careers, their individual identities, and their relationships with their partners.The result is an evening of hilarious stories, bittersweet monologues, poetic reflections and revelatory anecdotes. Touching tales of giving birth to a premature baby are balanced against comic, ribald rants on diaper soup; whispered, hesitant conversations about sex after children; and the desperate confessionals of the over-stressed. All six moms have two children, display the keenly-honed emotional edge of the sleep-deprived, and share among themselves (and with the audience) some of the most outrageous stories ever heard on the agony and ecstasy of motherhood-all of them true.

Mom's the Word is one of the most popular shows ever to come out of the Vancouver theatre community. Originally presented in 1994 at the Women in View Festival, Mom's the Word moved rapidly from smaller stages to a tour of Western Canada in 1996-1997; to Melbourne, Adelaide and Perth in 1998. In addition to Australia, where it is the number one show, it has been performed in Glasgow, Manchester, London, Chicago, Minneapolis, Germany, Norway, South Africa, Mexico, Italy and Ireland. The play remains a popular choice for regional repertory, college, and community theatre productions.

Cast: 6 female

What people say:

"I find it much easier to be a good mom in public." — Deborah Williams

"How am I supposed to resume a sex life when I'm wearing a nursing bra?" — Alison Kelly

"When I pass another stroller, we give each other the high sign, like two Harley riders, passing on the open road." — Robin Nichol

"Anger is so loud and love is so quiet." — Barbara Pollard

"Some mornings when I'm really desperate for more sleep, I lie to my husband about how many times I got up with the baby." — Jill Daum

"I waited for thirty-five years to have children and now I can't wait for them to go to sleep." — Linda A. Carson

About the Playwrights:

Linda A. Carson is a graduate of Vancouver's renowned Studio 58 acting program and has been a professional actor, clown, writer, and teacher for more than 20 years. Upon graduation, she wrote and toured her one person play Dying to Be Thin for two years before handing it over to other actors and going on to co-write her second play, the award winning, internationally acclaimed hit Mom's the Word, with five other actor/writer/moms.

Jill Daum is a graduate of the Studio 58 Acting Program. She has been working for more than 25 years as an actor in theatre, film, TV, and commercials.

Alison Kelly has been making her living as an actor, writer and theatre instructor for more than 20 years. She is a graduate of Studio 58 where she presently teaches.

Robin Nichol has been stage-managing, directing, work shopping and occasionally creating new Canadian plays for more than 20 years. She as a BFA from the University of Victoria, a MFA from the University of British Columbia and was the Associate Artistic Director at the New Play Centre in Vancouver for 3 years.

Barbara Pollard is one of the original author/performers of Mom's the Word and counts being part of this collective as one of the luckiest things to ever happen to her. She has worked as an instructor/director for the University of Victoria, Columbia College, Douglas College, Take One Talent Agency and Vancouver's famed Studio 58.

Deborah Williams is a writer, director and actor. A graduate of Studio 58 in Vancouver, she has worked on stage for more than 25 years.